Building and Sustaining Effective Citizen Groups

Minnesota Waters trains and supports citizens to start or strengthen locally-led lake and river groups.  Use our training workshops to equip your grassroots group to become lasting, thriving and effective at locally-led lake and stream protection. They include:

These workshops are helpful for groups in the earliest stages of formation to experienced groups that want to fine tune membership services or community outreach after years of existence. With ongoing training and support, most groups can become even more effective over time.

Minnesota Waters offers a limited number of trainings each year. Please contact Alex Gehrig (218.251.1462) or Molly Zins (218.851.2980) to inquire about the following workshops and workshop costs or see our calendar.

Which effective citizen training workshop is right for my group?

Forming a Citizen-led Lake, Stream or Watershed Association
Establish your organization, find resources, form community partnerships and begin setting goals for the protection or improvement of your lake or river.

Forming a Citizen-led Lake, Stream or Watershed Association Guidebook

Program Planning

Your lake or river group will learn the tools to develop plans that make your association activities more effective. These workshop exercises can guide your next shoreland restoration project, membership drive, fundraising event or any association activity with clear goals and connection to your mission.

Program Planning Guidebook

Community Visioning and Action Planning
Invite all group stakeholders to help set agreed-upon, realistic goals and objectives that focus the organization’s efforts and resources. During the session, the group will also begin developing the action plans needed to work towards their community vision.

Effective Communications 101
Develop outreach materials such as newsletters, welcome guides and free web and social media resources to reach new partners. You will take home communication samples and an outline of steps and strategies to broaden and sustain community engagement.

Communicating Effectively Guidebook

Engaging New Members and Promoting New Leaders
Pick up proven strategies to recruit members and fresh volunteers, and the tools to support and promote new leaders. You will leave the session with an action plan to increase your group’s membership, energize more volunteers and empower new leadership.

Engaging New Members and Leaders Guidebook

Raising Money to Get the Job Done
Take the fright out of fundraising! Gain the knowledge and confidence to raise the money you need to meet your mission. Workshop participants will begin to draft a fundraising plan identifying steps needed to meet your organization’s fundraising goals.

Additional Resources for Building and Sustaining Effective Citizen Groups