SWIF Concludes 25th Anniversary County Receptions April 4-5
Join us in McLeod and Kandiyohi counties
For 25 years, the Southwest Initiative Foundation has been impacting communities, businesses, organizations and families in southwest Minnesota. As one of six regional funds founded by The McKnight Foundation in response to the 1980s economic crisis, SWIF was created to provide financial resources, creative leadership and most importantly, hope for a brighter future.
We’ve been celebrating our past, present and future by visiting each of our 18 counties over the past several months of this special anniversary year. Area constituents are invited to join our board members and staff to celebrate 25 years of opportunities, impact and growth in southwest Minnesota.
Please join us for a reception in your area:
Monday, April 4
- Hutchinson – Crow River Golf Club
915 Colorado St. NW
Get Directions
Dinner served 5:15 p.m.
Program 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 5
- Willmar – The Oaks at Eagle Creek
1100 26th Ave. NE
Get Directions
Dinner served 5:15 p.m.
Program 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Each reception will include a brief program highlighting southwest Minnesota’s accomplishments over the past 25 years. We’ll also welcome stories and memories from guests as we reflect on and celebrate this milestone.
There is no cost to attend a reception. RSVP requested by Friday, April 1, to Jessica Eastling at jessicae@swifoundation.org or 800-594-9480.
If you missed us while we were visiting each of the 18 counties of southwest Minnesota over the past few months, be sure to join us for our regional banquet on May 20 in Morton. Watch for future banquet details. We look forward to celebrating with you!
SWIF Continues 25th Anniversary County Receptions March 30-31
Join us in Swift, Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine and Lincoln counties
For 25 years, the Southwest Initiative Foundation has been impacting communities, businesses, organizations and families in southwest Minnesota. As one of six regional funds founded by The McKnight Foundation in response to the 1980s economic crisis, SWIF was created to provide financial resources, creative leadership and most importantly, hope for a brighter future.
We’re celebrating our past, present and future by visiting each of our 18 counties during our anniversary year. Area constituents are invited to join our board members and staff to celebrate 25 years of opportunities, impact and growth in southwest Minnesota.
Please join us for a reception in your area:
Wednesday, March 30
- Benson – McKinney’s On Southside
300 14th St. S, Benson
Get Directions
Lunch served 11:45 a.m.
Program Noon-1 p.m. - Ortonville – Lakewood Supper Club
1073 Lake Shore Dr., Ortonville
Get Directions
Dinner served 4:45 p.m.
Program 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 31
- Dawson – CJ Mike’s Family Restaurant
720 6th St., Dawson
Get Directions
Breakfast served 7:15 a.m.
Program 7:30-8:30 a.m. - Granite Falls – Bootlegger’s Supper Club
1940 11th Ave., Granite Falls
Get Directions
Lunch served 11:45 a.m.
Program Noon-1 p.m. - Ivanhoe – VFW Post 2980
116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe
Get Directions
Dinner served 5:15 p.m.
Program 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Each reception will include a brief program highlighting southwest Minnesota’s accomplishments over the past 25 years. We’ll also welcome stories and memories from guests as we reflect on and celebrate this milestone.
There is no cost to attend a reception. RSVP requested by Monday, March 28, to Jessica Eastling at jessicae@swifoundation.org or 800-594-9480.
Don’t see your southwest Minnesota county represented? Don’t worry!
We’re scheduling future receptions and will post details as they’re available. If you missed us in November when celebrating in Cottonwood, Jackson, Nobles, Rock, Pipestone, and Murray counties, or in February when celebrating in Redwood, Lyon, Chippewa and Renville counties, you can still join us for our regional banquet May 20 in Morton. Watch for future banquet details.
SWIF Continues 25th Anniversary County Receptions March 17
Join us in Meeker County
For 25 years, the Southwest Initiative Foundation has been impacting communities, businesses, organizations and families in southwest Minnesota. As one of six regional funds founded by The McKnight Foundation in response to the 1980s economic crisis, SWIF was created to provide financial resources, creative leadership and most importantly, hope for a brighter future.
We’re celebrating our past, present and future by visiting each of our 18 counties during our anniversary year. Area constituents are invited to join our board members and staff to celebrate 25 years of opportunities, impact and growth in southwest Minnesota.
Please join us for a reception in Litchfield:
Thursday, March 17
- Peter’s on Lake Ripley
405 West Pleasure Drive, Litchfield
Get Directions
Lunch served 11:45 a.m.
Program Noon-1 p.m.
This reception will include a brief program highlighting southwest Minnesota’s accomplishments over the past 25 years. We’ll also welcome stories and memories from guests as we reflect on and celebrate this milestone.
There is no cost to attend. RSVP by Tuesday, March 15, to Jessica Eastling at jessicae@swifoundation.org or 800-594-9480.
Don’t see your southwest Minnesota county represented? Don’t worry!
We’re scheduling future receptions and will post details as they’re available. If you missed us in February when celebrating in Redwood, Lyon, Chippewa and Renville counties, you can still join us for our regional banquet May 20 in Morton. Watch for future banquet details.
Goals for Planning Succession Forum – March 29
Start planning today for the next phase of your business.
GPS, Goals for Planning Succession, is a one day forum that is dedicated to providing business owners with an introduction to the tools that they will need as they start preparing for the next phase of their business and personal life. This forum is presented by the Southwest Initiative Foundation and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.
March 29, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Verizon Wireless Center Mankato, MN
Get directions.
Cost $49.00 per person and includes lunch
Register online or email melissal@smifoundation.org. Please let us know if you have any diet restrictions.
Forum Agenda
- Opening Keynote
“Legacy & The Last Challenge of Entrepreneurship.” Thomas Hubler, President, Hubler for Business Families, Minneapolis. Mr. Hubler will focus on legacy and what it means to define your legacy in the context of the family-owned business. In addition, his presentation will focus on defining the role of owner-entrepreneur when it comes to the issue of succession planning, the four challenges of an owner-entrepreneur and what are the four areas of planning that companies need to have in place in order to have a succession plan. - Three Learning Tracks
A Business Transition Case Study – Featuring a prominent Midwest company led by Pat Edeburn, Succession Strategies Forum Leader with Anderson Center in St. Cloud, MN. Pat will present the case study that he has written which will allow us to learn and understand what it is like to be in the middle of a business transition. Talent Development – Preparing for Succession - Don Jones of Don Jones Consulting in Marshall, MN along with Vicki Prock of Enterprise Minnesota will dive deep into the concept of having the right person doing the right job. Their combined experience will let us learn first-hand the importance of talent development of current staff as well as the search for talent to lead your organization before, during, and after transition.Passing on the Family Farm – led by Cathy Olson, Lookout Ridge Consulting and Luke Robinson, Thrivant Financials for Lutherans.
- Luncheon Keynote Speakers
“After 135 Years and Six Successions, Did We Get it Right?” Denny Dotson, President was the 5th generation and had five years working with his father before becoming CEO, but from the day Denny started he was to be CEO. Jean Bye, CEO worked with Denny 35 years before becoming CEO and only in the past few years was it decided that she would be CEO. It took Denny many years to understand the CEO role and responsibilities while Jean was totally prepared for the position. Denny and Jean will concentrate on the years just before and after their successions describing both the personal challenges and the satisfactions of the transitions. - Afternoon Speakers
Learn from Experience - Led by Tim Penny, President of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation will moderate a panel discussion to share rewards, challenges and lessons learned from those who have experience succession planning and work with companies to achieve.Sustaining Area Businesses through Succession Planning – Cathy Enerson, Spring Valley EDA director; Abby Hellickson, Workforce Development at Rochester Community and Technical College; and Connie Kotke, instructor and consultant; will showcase how a community can create a partnership approach to building and sustaining a community culture which embraces business succession as a key economic development strategy. - Final Comments – Tim Penny, President of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
SWIF Continues 25th Anniversary County Receptions Feb. 24-25
Join us in Rewood, Lyon, Chippewa and Renville counties
For 25 years, the Southwest Initiative Foundation has been impacting communities, businesses, organizations and families in southwest Minnesota. As one of six regional funds founded by The McKnight Foundation in response to the 1980s economic crisis, SWIF was created to provide financial resources, creative leadership and most importantly, hope for a brighter future.
We’re celebrating our past, present and future by visiting each of our 18 counties during our anniversary year. Area constituents are invited to join our board members and staff to celebrate 25 years of opportunities, impact and growth in southwest Minnesota.
Please join us for a reception in your area:
Thursday, Feb. 24
- Redwood Falls – Community Center
901 East Cook Street, Redwood Falls
Get directions
Lunch served 11:45 a.m.
Program Noon-1 p.m. - Marshall – Landmark Bistro
100 West College Drive, Marshall
Get directions
Hors d’oeuvres served 5:15 p.m.
Program 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 25
- Montevideo – Valentino’s
110 South 1st Street, Montevideo
Get directions
Breakfast served 7:15 a.m.
Program 7:30-8:30 a.m. - Olivia – Christian Community Outreach Center
815 East Lincoln Ave. (Hwy 212), Olivia
Get directions
Lunch served 11:45 a.m.
Program Noon-1 p.m.
There is no cost to attend a reception. RSVP requested by Tuesday, Feb. 22, to Jessica Eastling at jessicae@swifoundation.org or 800-594-9480.
Don’t see your southwest Minnesota county represented? Don’t worry!
We’re scheduling future receptions and will post details as they’re available. If you missed us in November when celebrating in Cottonwood, Jackson, Nobles, Rock, Pipestone, and Murray counties, you can still join us for our regional banquet May 20 in Morton. Watch for future banquet details.
