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Community Leadership

All Community Leadership Content

Board members concluding a meeting.

Board Fundamentals: Setting the Foundation

Effective meetings, clear procedures, and strong leadership are key components of a successful board foundation. Learn some expert tips for building and maintaining a highly effective board in your community.

South Dakota State University Extension, Community Vitality Home Starts Here podcast cover

SDSU Extension Community Vitality launches new podcast, ‘Home Starts Here’

March 10, 2023

The South Dakota State University Extension Community Vitality team is proud to announce the launch of their new podcast, "Home Starts Here". For its fourth episode, there will be a live recording of “Home Starts Here” at 1 p.m. on March 25 at the Heritage Hall Museum complex during the 2023 Schmeckfest festival in Freeman, South Dakota.

Bedroom loft in a local lodge.

Energize! Lodging in Wessington Springs

In addition to the multitude of things that make the 2023 Energize! host community of Wessington Springs distinct, there is an abundance of unique lodging opportunities. Learn some of the countless benefits of staying local during your travels!

Professional portrait of Energize keynote speaker, Danna Larson

SDSU Extension to host 2023 Energize! conference in Wessington Springs

February 17, 2023

SDSU Extension and the community of Wessington Springs will host the 2023 Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference May 31-June 1. Danna Larson, an Iowa-based entrepreneur and consultant, is this year’s keynote speaker.

2022 Energize Conference attendees.
May 31

ENERGIZE! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference

SDSU Extension will host its fifth annual Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities conference May 31-June 1 in Wessington Springs, South Dakota.

Two women announcing winners of a drawing at the Energize conference.

Energizing Leaders

We work with boards, businesses and organizations of all shapes and sizes.

2021 Energize! Conference attendees gathered outside a brick building.

Energize!

The Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference is designed to empower South Dakota’s rural communities by inviting them to network with community leaders from across the state to share success stories, get new ideas and take action to improve their own communities.

A group of employees working as a team at a meeting.

Leadership for Today - Managing Conflict Within Groups

The human relationship is a complex and dynamic interaction. As living creatures, we need and crave the opportunity to interact with other humans by speaking, listening, and spending time with them. Most of this interaction tends to be mutual and cordial. Yet, at times, the interaction can be laced with tension and discord. If left alone, the tension can lead to conflict that may damage the relationship or even become volatile.

small business owner talking to a group of people

Leadership for Today - Effective Group Communication

Within a given day, human beings rely on the ability to communicate as a means of transferring information. Whether we speak, listen, write notes or letters, email, or text message, the process of communicating thoughts, ideas, and feelings is something we find to be important but typically give little thought to.

A group of young workers sitting at a table putting their hands together.

Leadership for Today Manageable Meetings

At one time or another, we have all answered the call to civic duty by serving on a committee or advisory board. For some, the experience has been productive and energizing. For others, the experience has been painful, marked by long meetings that are unorganized and frustrating.