About a month ago, I was at the co-op, shopping for lunch and coffee, when I saw someone I recognized from a recent Engage Winona event. We’d just held a Rural Assembly Everywhere convening the night before, which highlighted the ways we as community members show up and make our places stronger. Sometimes how we show up is formal, like serving on a nonprofit board. Other times, it’s giving a ride to a neighbor or babysitting for a friend. The Rural Assembly broadcast we watched that evening focused on mutual aid, and how every community has connectors - you just have to look for them. We also shared a delicious meal and had a panel discussion featuring folks who have led community projects in Winona and beyond.

I waved to the woman in recognition, and she caught my eye. “I think I dreamed about that event,” she told me, drawing me closer. Then she told me the topic of mutual aid really resonated with her. She went on to say that she’s retired and realized she was undervaluing her own contribution to the community. “I hadn't thought of myself that way, but I realized I am a community connector.”

Cue my spine getting all tingly.

In this line of work, we often talk about the power of convening. There’s a magic that happens when we bring people together and invite them to get curious about each other and their community, and even themselves. And that day in the co-op, I was lucky enough to get a personal reminder of why that work matters. Because one more person seeing herself as a community contributor causes a ripple effect, and those ripples are what thriving communities are made of

This newsletter has a new format we’re trying out, highlighting a few key programs, a handy list of upcoming events, and a section for staff to share the things we’re reading and thinking about. We hope you spend a few minutes with us and indulge our civic-life nerdery!

But before you read on, I'll give you this charge: What's one small way you could help someone else see themself as a community contributor this week?

Marcia Ratliff, Executive Director

Come Be A Neighbor — September 8

Join Engage Winona and Green Card Voices on Tuesday, September 8, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Peter's Biergarten for "Becoming Neighbors," an evening of connection, storytelling, and community!

The evening includes a free dinner and Story Stitch, a fun conversation card game that helps neighbors get to know each other and understand each other's experiences a little better.

Space is filling fast - RSVP and learn more here! Green Card Voices is also featuring an exhibit of immigrant stories at the Winona Public Library this month, which you can learn more about here.

Becoming Neighbors is part of the Winona Together series, generously supported by Peter's Biergarten, the Winona Eagles Club, Riverside Integrated Solutions, and Alerus.

Leading Local Is Back: Three Fall Workshops to Help You Get Involved in Your Community

Engage Winona and the Winona Post are excited to share the release of three new workshops this fall — free and open to all!

Leading Local is all about helping you get connected, and build the skills and confidence to take action in your community. This fall's lineup includes:

September 22, 6–7:30 p.m. at the Winona County History Center — Talking to Local Officials, Effectively
October 13, 6–7:30 p.m. at the Winona Creators Collective — Your Guide to Joining a Local Committee
October 29, 6–7:30 p.m. at the Winona County History Center — Local Government Agendas, Decoded

Save the date for a community forum on November 12 — more details coming soon! And keep an eye out, because there's more Leading Local news on the way.

Join Our Board

Engage Winona is currently recruiting new board members! Join our team for a 3-year term starting in either 2027 or 2028. Read more and apply here by September 15 to be considered for 2027!

All That We Share: Support Engage Winona October 22!

Get excited: tickets go live next week! Engage Winona's annual fundraising dinner will take place on Thursday, October 22, at the Winona County History Center. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for mingling, drinks and hors d'oeuvres, with dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Guests will enjoy an evening filled with great food by Heirloom Seasonal Bistro, community connection, silent auction, an exciting live auction, and more!

Events

Sept 1–23 — Green Card Youth Voices: Immigration Stories from Minneapolis and St. Paul Youth at the Winona Public Library
Sept 8 — Winona Together: Becoming Neighbors, co-presented with Green Card Voices
Sept 22 — Talking to Local Officials — Effectively
Sept 30 — Candidate Forum on Housing, hosted by Habitat for Humanity Serving Winona County
Oct 13 — Your Guide to Joining a Local Committee
Oct 22 — All That We Share: Engage Winona Fundraiser
Oct 29 — Local Government Agendas, Decoded
Nov 12 — Leading Local Community Convening

What We're Reading

Self-Assessment of an Aspiring "New Trustee" by Daniel Strid From Program Manager Isabel McNally: "I enjoyed the read and thought y'all might too! Neat thoughts on how individual people can cultivate trust, connections, and positive cultures around civic involvement."
In Southeastern Minnesota, Being a Neighbor Includes Civic Groups, Checking In From Executive Director Marcia Ratliff: "Our staff had the chance to participate in a Minnesota: Land of Neighbors listening session in Lake City this August. The session focused on what people value about their communities, and what would help Minnesotans handle disagreement without losing sight of each other."