Pollen Volume 9

March 19, 2010

Lars Leafblad, Curator
http://www.linkedin.com/in/larsleafblad
http://www.twitter.com/larsleafblad

Pollenites,

Thanks for taking the time to read this issue of Pollen. Our community has grown to 1221 members
thanks to your continued efforts, thank you!

A special thank you to the top Pollen recruiters/connectors for new members (all have referred at least 3
new Pollen members):

Lee Anderson, Regina Barr, Peg Birk, Sarah Bjelland, Karla Ekdahl, Amy Fredregill, Angela Garrett,
Steve Helland, Morgan Kinross-Wright, Katie Lichty, Chris Mayr, Rohn Jay Miller, Margarette Minor,
Teresa Morrow, Dana Nelson, Greg Tehven, Bill Venne, and Andrea Wood.

A special shout out to uber-connectors Regina Barr, Karla Ekdahl, Teresa Morrow, Dana Nelson and
Greg Tehven who have connected their networks time and time again to Pollen, resulting in dozens of
new members over the past few months. Thank you!

To date we have shared the names of 350+ organizations represented within the Pollen community and
here are additional new companies/non-profits/foundations/media organizations represented within
PolleNATION:

BeautyBets.com, Fourth Sector Consulting, Roseville Property Management Co., Shinebox, Simon &
Associates, Ten Seven Interactive, TwinCities RISE!, & Vocalabs

Thank you for your engagement, involvement, and investment in Pollen!!

Welcome 35 new Pollenites (my sincere apologies to anyone I've missed - if I have, let me know so you
can be welcomed next edition):

Annie Berge, Art Berman, Greg Bonine-Giles, Liz Brama, Krista Cavanaugh, Chad Commers, Michelle
Chevalier, Mindy Deardurff, Elizabeth Dehn, Susan Eiden, Meggan Ellingboe, Katie Eukel, Michelle
Evans, Flo Golod, Jim Hammerand, Brian Herstig, Georgie Hilker, Michelle Holker, Tom Howard, Lori
Jacobwith, Frank Jaskulke, Greg Krizan, Randy Larson, Peter Leppik, Steve Marchese, Michael Morrow,
Ada Okolue, Betsy Petersen, Margie Simon, Ivan Stegic, Sara Stensaas,Jen Surla, Tom Weaver, Scott
Winter, Stephanie Zawitowski

Thank you to our 21 Pollenite recruiters (if I missed you, please let me know):
Angie Andresen, Peg Birk, Tim Commers, Kim Ciresi, Emily de Rotstein, Karla Ekdahl, Catherine
Gunsbury, Curt Gunsbury, Lindsay Hanson, Ann Kaner-Roth, Betsy Hedstrom Khan, Curt Krizan, Jeremy
Lenz, Dana Nelson, Heidi Pederson, Jodi Petrich, Ann Ulring, Mark Van Note, Bill Venne, Pam
Wetterlund, Morgan Kinross-Wright

And thank you 35 Pollenites creatives who shared content, comments, or ideas for this edition:
Angie Andresen, Ann Aronson, Tom Basquill, Clare Cizek, Tim Commers, Catherine Day, Geoff Dutton,
Sue Eklund, Kent Eklund, Meggan Ellingboe, David Ewald, Robert Freeman, Katy Friesz, David Gaither,
Lindsay Graves, Greg Grinley, Andrea Kaufmann, Brad Lehrmann, Katie Lichty, Fred Marx, Margarette
Minor, Teresa Morrow, Dan Olson, Gary Perkins, Cheryl Pray, Mary Ann Pulk, Kari Ruth, Daniel Sellers,
Don Taylor, Ann Ulrich, Mark Van Note, Bill Venne, Joel Wessman, Jodi Williams, Rebecca Yanisch
Please forward to your network; truly, the more the merrier! Please join fellow members in sending along
job leads, internship leads, board openings, volunteer opportunities, and news about professional
promotions/recognition (yours or others in your networks) so that we can share with fellow 1221 Pollen
members.

LinkedIn:
373, yes 373 Pollenites have subscribed to our LinkedIn group where updates and relevant content will
be shared in real-time and where you can submit ideas, information, and updates for future editions of
Pollen.

Join us here:
http://www.bit.ly/Pollen-LinkedIn

Notes from the Pollen curator:

Twitter: Many Pollenites maintain residency on Twitter. If you’re on Twitter, let’s connect at
http://www.twitter.com/larsleafblad so that I can add you to a Twitter list we’ve created for Pollen
members.

Finally, if you’d like to thank the entity that provides the resources to make Pollen possible, KeyStone
Search, you can do so by subscribing to our quarterly e-newsletter “Culture Matters” here:
http://www.keystonesearch.com/subscribe.php Thank you!  

Germination (a new feature to highlight and share the real-time connections and opportunities that are
unfolding thanks to the collective efforts of the Pollen community):

- Pollenite Robert Freeman (HealthPartners) was connected with opportunity to join the MN Zoo
Young Professionals Committee via Pollen, congrats Robert!

Jobs (forwarded by Pollenites): 

Julia Knight Inc. seeks National Director of Sales (via Brad Lehrman)
http://www.juliaknight.net/

Famous Dave’s of America seeks Director of Marketing Innovation (via Aric Nissen)
http://bit.ly/dqaWxK 

CaringBridge seeks Software Engineer and Interactive Marketing Specialist (via Sona Mehring)
Software Engineer: http://www.bit.ly/CB-SoftwareEng
Interactive Marketing Specialist: http://www.bit.ly/CB-InterMktgSpec
 
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce seeks new President (via Lars Leafblad, this is a search being
conducted by KeyStone Search)
President position profile: http://bit.ly/SPACC-President

Padilla Speer Beardsley is hiring for several positions (via Teresa Morrow)
http://bit.ly/PSBPR-Jobs

Teach For America – Twin Cities is hiring a Manager of Development, District & School Partnerships,
which I hope you can include in your next Pollen volume! The job can be accessed here: http://bit.ly/TFA-
DevJob (via Daniel Sellers)

AchieveMpls seeks new CEO (via Kent Eklund)

Learn more at http://www.achievempls.org and email Kent at kent-at-cincinnatus.com for additional
information

CAPI, (http://www.capiusa.org) a community-based social justice organization that serves African and
Asian refugees and immigrants in MN, has an opening for an Impact and Innovation Manager. If you want
information please email Kari Ruth at klr-at-saintpaulfoundation.org.

Fleishman-Hillard seeks contact position for “a person who would be a sort of 2.0 version of our traditional
community organizer – well connected with local groups and influencers, well connected and fully
participating in the local social media scene, young, high energy, and a natural “connector.” While this is
not a full-time position, it would be a great opportunity. I can get more details about it, but if you know
people who are interested, they can contact me at angie.andresen-at-fleishman.com (via Angie
Andresen)

Children’s HeartLink (http://www.childrensheartlink.org) seeks development director (via Angie Andresen)

http://bit.ly/CHL-DOD

Internships (forwarded by Pollenites):

HOPEworks internships (via Dan Olson)

“HOPEworks internship: call for intern mentors

Hope Academy, an inner city, faith-based school, is piloting a four-week summer internship program for
its high school students. The vision of HOPEworks is to equip urban teenagers with work experience and
leadership skills by serving alongside urban Christians in their businesses, ministries, etc.. Eleven 10th
graders are excited about this four-week internship (dates and time below). Could your workplace use
an intern? And would you represent your business or ministry and serve as a HOPEworks mentor to an
inner city youth? We hope to have a variety of careers represented.

HOPEworks intern hours:

9:15am-11:45am, Monday-Thursday, June 14-17, June 21-24, June 28-July 1, July 6-9
If you're interested in meeting to talk about this opportunity further, e-mail Rebekah Adair, HOPEworks
coordinator, at radair-at-hopeschool.org.”

Boards (forwarded by Pollenites):

New:

Patchwork Quilt (via Don Taylor)

“I'd like to put out a call for nominations to a board I'm on--and afterschool program in North Minneapolis
called Patchwork Quilt. We have re-built our programs through a strategic planning effort and are on the
move! Our program serves approximately 25 African American boys and girls from an area within
the Northside Acheivement Zone. We are particularly interested in candidates who have interests in
literacy, technology and cultural competencies related to the seven principles of Kwanza. We are a
working board--we all roll up our sleeves and fundraise, help to create program and support a small staff.
Interested folks can contact me at dtaylor-at-mplsfoundation.org. PQ's website is
www.patchworkquilt.org”

HandsOn Twin Cities Youth Advisory Board (via Tom Basquill)

“HandsOn Twin Cities is looking for teens (14-18) who have a passion for volunteerism to apply for our
new Youth Advisory Board. Great leadership opportunity for youth who live or attend school in the Twin
Cities metro. http://www.handsontwincities.org/AboutUs/index.php/youth/index.html”
Free Arts MN (via Sue Eklund)

Free Arts MN, a 501(C3) organization, is seeking an experienced advisory board member to serve a term
of 12-18 months. If you have an affinity for the arts, or development, or community collaboration, and are
interested in advising a $300K organization, please contact Sue Eklund, Ed.D., @ 612-865-0480
or sue.eklund-at-gmail.com. Free Arts, founded in 1996, brings the power of the healing arts to abused
and neglected children who reside in social service agencies across the Twin Cities. Check our our
website athttp://www.freeartsminnesota.org

New Foundations (via Marcia Ballinger/Fran Lyon-Dugin)

New Foundations is a nonprofit in St. Paul whose mission is to provide permanent, supportive, affordable
housing and comprehensive on-site services for homeless dually diagnosed chemically dependent and
mentally ill adults in recovery and their families (www.newfoundationsinc.org ). We are in need of good
board candidates who are CPAs, interested in possible combination roles as members of the board
and/or finance committee and/or audit committee. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone to get
experience on a board, utilize his/her professional skills, and make a difference in the lives of others.
Anyone interested should email Fran via fran0005-at-hotmail.com.

Ongoing:

Partners for Violence Prevention seeks Board of Director candidates (via Anita Berg)
http://partnersforviolenceprevention.org/events/2010/02/openings-pvp-board-directors

Touchstone Mental Health seeks Board of Director candidates (via Katie Lichty)
http://touchstonemh.org/mission.html 

Props to the following Pollen members (please consider sharing good news about a
friend/colleague/volunteer for next issue):

- To Margarette Minor on being asked to join Thrivent's Foundation Community Grants Team
 
‐ Congrats to several Pollenites/friends of Pollen recognized by Finance and Commerce magazine
as “Minnesotans on the Move”; including Adam Elliott, Wade Gerten,Sheila Ronning, Joseph
Reuter, Scott Severson, and Zack Steven: http://bit.ly/FC-MOM
 
‐ The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN - Twin Cities) would like to congratulate and
welcome 5 new board members - Chris Oien, Erin Sapp (Pollenite), Adaobi Okolue (Pollenite),
Nathan Magel, and Virginia Brown (Pollenite). (via Tom Basquill)

‐ Pollenites Ryan Barnett, Trista Harris and Garrick Van Buren who were selected to present at
recent Ignite Minneapolis (http://www.ignitempls.com) See Ryan here: http://bit.ly/Ignite-Barnett,
Trista here: http://bit.ly/Ignite-Trista Garrick here: http://bit.ly/Ignite-Garrick Congrats all!

‐ To Greg Tehven on his invitation to speak at Cuningham Group’s Urban Currents program on
March 23: http://www.cuningham.com/grow/urban_currents/2010/128

‐ Andrea Kaufman on her new role with Bakken Museum as their Corporate Partnership
Coordinator at the U of MN

‐ PFund Foundation (Greg Grinley Exec Dir) named winner of 2010 Twin Cities Pride Community
Award
 ‐ Catherine Day’s commentary on “Race to the Top” was featured on MPR -
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/03/10/day/

‐ Congrats to Jon Pearce on launch of his new venture – http://www.zipnosis.com – Got its boots
from UMN’s Minnesota Cup event. Learn more about MN Cup here: http://www.mncup.com

‐ Congrats Uri Neren & Generate Companies profiled in MN Business magazine. Story:
http://bit.ly/UriNeren-FC 

‐ To Cyndi Lesher on joining the board of MN Children’s Hospitals and Clinics: http://bit.ly/cC6rqw

‐ To Nate Garvis, VP, Government Affairs, Target Corp, on the impending launch of his new
venture May 1st: http://bit.ly/BizJournal-Garvis

‐ To Liwanag Ojala and Thao Truong (and Pear Tree Greetings team) on their feature in TC
Business Magazine: http://bit.ly/TCB-PearTree

‐ Jack Uldrich profiled in Neal St. Anthony story in the Star Tribune: http://bit.ly/bqRmsh

‐ To Rep. Karla Bigham for sharing her story of why she’s stepping away from MN Legislature in
MinnPost article: http://bit.ly/KBigham

‐ To Aaron Street & Lawyerist.com for blog feature w/ Pollenite Graeme Thickins:
http://bit.ly/cZilMW

‐ To Parag Shah and his firm, Lunchbox, for TC Biz Mag blog write-up by Dana Severson,
http://bit.ly/a8xQLL

‐ To Peg Birk, Laurence Reszetar, Tom Horner, and Liwanag Ojala for sharing their career advice
with Lars Leafblad who participated on panel discussion with graduating seniors of Carlson
School of Management, UMN: You can read their counsel here: www.bit.ly/cQsxKL (thanks to
Morgan Kinross-Wright and Katie Selby for invitation to participate)

‐ To my brother (and lead singer of Cactus Lee), Nels Leafblad, who made surprise appearance on
stage during Michael Franti/John Mayer concert at Xcel Energy Center; Nels 2nd from right:
http://twitgoo.com/fow1t You can hear him (lead singer) here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvYUtSg_Q9o

 
Cross-pollenating (Pollen members helping Pollen members)

Jeremy Lenz home-for-sale:

http://matrix.northstarmls.com/de.asp?k=105501X1BMV&p=DE-56598143-341

Peg Birk home-for-sale:

http://www.karenlondon.edinarealty.com/3871008

Katie & Marshall Lichty condo-for-sale:

http://bit.ly/LichtyListing 
 
Lindsay Graves seeks opportunity to connect Pollenites via her firm – Content Farm Creative:
Content Farm Creative is a local copywriting company, which has overseen content generation for a
wide-range of businesses including Best Buy, the Minnesota Vikings, Thymes Co. and Target. Our
mission is to be the go-to, freelance-style resource providing content assistance on last-minute deadlines,
long-term strategic projects and anything in between.Learn more at http://www.contentfarmcreative.com
or by contacting Lindsay at Lindsay-at-contentfarmcreative.com.”

Engaging – Events (chronological), Ideas, Leadership Opportunities 

If you’re a St. Olaf grad or parent of an Ole, consider joining the new Career Network for Oles to help
students w/ job and internship leads: More information here: http://bit.ly/OleshelpOles 
 
MN Idea Open (via Meggan Ellingboe): 

Ever had one of those light-bulb moments where you solved a major problem? Enter the Minnesota Idea
Open, the gathering space for all Minnesotans to learn about an issue, discuss solutions, share ideas and
vote on the best ones. Minnesota Idea Open is hosting its first statewide Idea Open Challenge this
spring. We invite everyone to bring your best thinking to help us address the issue of obesity in
Minnesota. Tell us how your community could use $15,000 to help people eat smart and be active.
On March 18th, visit www.MNIdeaOpen.org to sign up, enter your idea, and join a new community
of citizen thought leaders. You could receive $500 and see your idea become a reality.Minnesota Idea
Open is a collaborative initiative led by Minnesota Community Foundation and its partners, Ashoka
Changemakers, Citizens League, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Minnesota Public Radio.
 
UMN hosting 3 events related to Minnesota’s Future (via Ann Aronson):

Details below and registration info here: http://bit.ly/UMN-Solutions

March 23: A Thriving Economy and Competitive Business Environment

Tom Stinson, professor of applied economics and state economist (convener)
Dan Carr, president and CEO, The Collaborative
Tom Gillaspy, state demographer
Tim Penny, former U.S. congressman and senior fellow, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute 

March 30: A Healthy Minnesota

John Finnegan, dean, School of Public Health (convener)
Lorna Benson, Minnesota Public Radio (moderator)
Sean Kershaw, executive director, Citizens League
Dave Moen, M.D., medical director, Care Model Innovation, Fairview
L. Read Sulik, M.D., assistant commissioner, Chemical and Mental Health Services, MN Department of
Human Services
Additional panelist to be announced

April 6: A Workforce Prepared for the Global Economy

Kent Pekel, executive director, College Readiness Consortium (convener)
Larry Gray, professor of mathematics, University of Minnesota
Delores Henderson, principal, St. Paul Ames Elementary
Arthur J. Reynolds, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota

Program from 5:00 - 6:30 PM in Cowles Auditorium. Refreshments will be served in the Humphrey
Center Atrium from 4:30 - 5:00 PM 

Nominations for the MIT Technology Review 35 leading technology innovators under 35 are due by
March 31, 2010. 
Nominate a MN entrepreneur: See www.technologyreview.com/tr35/nominate.aspx (via Jeremy Lenz)
MPR's @publicinsight
seeks to convene online forums on #education #healthcare #economy & involve on-the-ground experts.
Please contact MPR's Michael Caputo for additional information. You can find him on Twitter via
@MCaputo_MPR  
 
Social Ventures MN has issued call for applications for their 2010 Social Entrepreneurs Cup. Applications
are due April 23. Additional information here: http://tinyurl.com/yax8n3c
(via Brad Brown)

Community Capital Alliance seeks new members and leadership contributors. “Founded in 1998, CCA is
a volunteer-led, Twin Cities-based nonprofit organization committed to developing community leaders
through engaged philanthropy. Members contribute time and money to make positive and meaningful
impacts in the community through small grants to local nonprofits. Those interested can contact me.” –
(via Megan Powers)
http://www.ccalliance.net

Mexican Serenade - VocalEssence Gala 2010 (via Mary Ann Pulk)

VocalEssence, the award-winning choral ensemble based in Minneapolis, invites you to attend “Mexican
Serenade - VocalEssence Gala 2010” at the Historic Milwaukee Depot on Saturday, April 24, 2010 (6
pm). More than 600 prominent local leaders, celebrities, business owners and community members will
spend the evening browsing our unique and exciting silent auction, dining on delectable Mexican cuisine,
and enjoying a performance by Marimba Nandayapa, Mexico’s most famous marimba ensemble.
Proceeds benefit VocalEssence Community Engagement Programs, including the WITNESS teaching
artists and ¡Cantaré! composers who make 200 classroom visits each school year, impacting more than
7,000 students throughout the metropolitan area. For more information, go to:
http://www.vocalessence.org/gala

The Big Trade Up is a project to support the non-profit organization Mind The Future. Starting with
Frank’s #2 pencil, the goal is to trade up for items of increasing value until we have secured an item that
can be sold to fund 10 scholarship commitments and allow for the hiring of an Executive Director. Check
out their web site: www.bigtradeup.com (via Tim Commers)

Excellent article from Betsy Buckley about turning vicious cycles into virtuous circles in business:
http://bit.ly/bCRgF7

Great article on "The Future is Networks" http://bit.ly/dgs4SH 

Great blog post from Gregg Litman, “Why Journalists Should Use Twitter”:
http://gregglitman.wordpress.com/

Read about Warren Buffett’s philanthropy strategy “I invest in those who get the job done” :
http://ow.ly/1gx6X

Powerful article from The Atlantic Monthly “How a New Jobless Era Will Transform America”:
http://bit.ly/9n5yWS
 
Freebies

Free yoga offer (via Meggan Ellingboe):

“I am completing my 200 hour yoga teacher training at Core Power Yoga which is a registered school with
the national body, Yoga Alliance. I am eager to start teaching and share how yoga has these wonderful
benefits to soothe your soul and your mind. I would be willing to come to your home or business to teach
a free class. I am compassionate to beginners or those who keep meaning to try it but don’t get around to
it.”
Contact Meggan at meggan-at-grassrootssolutions.com
(Via David Ewald from Ewald Consulting):
“I have something for Pollen . We’ve published—and sold—more than 10,000 copies of “Secrets for
Citizen Lobbyists” since my dad first wrote it in the 80s. The intent of the book is to bring basic
knowledge about how to effectively work with the Minnesota Legislature to "the people". We just did a
major rewrite of the book and, although we are still going to print some for our own distribution, we have
decided to distribute it electronically at no charge. If you think it would be appropriate I would be honored
if you would distribute the information below to members of the Pollen community.
You can read “Secrets for Citizen Lobbyists” here: http://bit.ly/Ewald-Pollen

Brian Bierbaum has compiled a “Social Media Tips for Jobseekers” presentation and shared it on
LinkedIn:
You can access it here:
http://tinyurl.com/yklv9w2

Thanks so much for your time and content suggestions.

If you’d like to be removed, hit reply with "remove" in the subject header.

On the other end, please forward this to others in your network and invite them to join us.

Thanks SO much for your time and as always, please let me know if there's ever anything I can do for you
or yours.

It’s an honor to build this community with you. Thanks again for your time, energy, and ideas!

Onwards and upwards,

Lars
 
 
Lars Leafblad 
Principal 
KeyStone Search 
http://www.keystonesearch.com/team_leafblad.php 
http://www.linkedin.com/in/larsleafblad 
http://www.twitter.com/larsleafblad 
Ph: 612‐375‐8989 
Em: larsl‐at‐keystonesearch.com 
 
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