The UND Indian Studies Association presents: 39th Annual Timeout Week

This year's theme is "Honoring Women." The events will be held Monday, April 14 through Friday, April 19View an events calendar here: http://www.und.edu/dept/indian/Time%20Out%20Week%2008.pdf [top]

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Working Women’s Summit Thursday, April 10 ~ Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck

Renew your soul. Reach your goals. Realize your potential.

The Working Women’s Summit is just for you.

   We’ve gathered up the best-of-the-best speakers, sponsors and vendors – you’ll laugh, learn and love how this event makes you feel... 

Don’t miss thousands of dollars in prize giveaways – Vlana Vlee is giving away more than $1,000 in prizes at their booth, and Herberger's is giving away a $250 career wardrobe shopping spree! Plus, five sponsors are providing 50 centerpieces for each table that will be given away during the luncheon – that’s another $1,500 in prizes!

   Our lunch sponsor is cooking up a delicious meal with the chef at the Ramkota and our speakers have put together nine phenomenal presentations.

   Log onto the website for complete details and to register individually or as a group! Register now for the Working Women’s Summit Thursday, April 10 ~ Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck www.bismarcktribune.com/summit . Questions? Contact Lynae Hanson, Marketing Manager, Bismarck Tribune: 701-250-8201 or lynae.hanson@bismarcktribune.com.

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Planned Parenthood is co-sponsoring an informational meeting on the Federal Family Planning 1115 Waiver. The waiver allows the state to expand Medicaid eligibility levels for family planning services thus ensuring more women have access to reproductive health care.  More detailed information will follow soon. Save the date: Tuesday, May13th from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm at the Bismarck Library.

Contact: Amy Jacobson, North Dakota Public Affairs Manager, Planned Parenthood MN, ND, SD: ajacobson@ppmns.org, 624 Main Avenue Suite 9, Fargo, ND 5810. 1-701-526-0726 (office) or 1-701-261-4858 (cell).

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Women’s Leadership Development Opportunity
   The Tri-College NEW (National Education for Women's) Leadership Development Institute will be held June 5-9, 2008 at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.  The intensive five-day residential program is designed to provide leadership training, inspiration, and support for women who do not have extensive leadership experience. There is particular emphasis on recruiting women from groups that have typically been underrepresented voices in the political process.

   Thanks to the generosity of donors, there is no cost to participate. Participants will have the option of registering for a three-credit undergraduate course in Women’s Studies, Sociology, or Social Work. Those who choose to register for course credits will have to pay for the course registration expenses. In addition, some scholarships are available to assist with travel and/or childcare expenses. 

For information and applications visit http://appserv.mnstate.edu/whitede/conference or call Deb White at 218-477-2041.

Applications will be accepted until March 28, 2008.

   Participants attend workshops on running for office, public speaking, fundraising, public policy advocacy, and working with the media. They meet with over twenty women leaders, including state and local officials, women in tribal government, and grassroots activists. Participants and some women leaders reside on campus throughout the institute, extending learning beyond the formal daytime sessions.

We seek applicants with interest in politics, leadership, public service, or community service who desire to develop their leadership skills. They need not be college students. Approximately 50 college and community women will be accepted.

Please forward freely.

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MSUM’s 13th Unity Conference - April 17-18, 2008.*
Updates at www.mnstate.edu/cultural <http://www.mnstate.edu/cultural>
Please bookmark it.
*Sembrando Sueños: Honoring Latinos by Embracing the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Inspiring the Future*
   The Unity Conference offers thought-provoking workshops, informative discussion panels, and engaging presentations in a friendly, welcoming environment conducive to sharing ideas. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain awareness about the history, current legislation, changing customs, and issues affecting the U. S. Latino population. Conference participants will be better prepared to deal with diversity issues affecting everyone in today’s world and workforce.
   You can learn more about our increasingly diverse society and strengthening relationships in the community. Invite a friend, colleague
or anyone interested in personal growth. Please put it on your calendar now!
   This year, in addition to regular sessions, we are adding a *Call for Papers <http://www..mnstate.edu/cultural/CallForPapers.htm>*. We willhave three categories: Education professionals, college students and high school students. Two high school presenters will be recognized in this category: one for the paper and one for the presentation. The Conference fee will be waived for those submitting presentation proposals.
   If you are faculty, please consider adding this event to your syllabus as an assignment or for extra credit. Regardless of the field of study
you teach, your students will gain valuable awareness, knowledge and contacts at the Unity Conference.
   Cost: Non-students $50, Students $25. The fee includes registration costs, the noon meal on Thursday, and t-shirt.
*Who should attend?*
Admissions Staff, Business Owners/Mgrs., Administrators, Community Organizers, Community members, Criminal Justice Professionals
Enrollment Management Officers, Financial Aid staff, Health Providers, Human Resource Managers, Religious Leaders, Media Specialists, Law Enforcement Officers, Marketing Specialists, Medical Services Providers, Political Leaders, School Counselors,
Social Service Providers, Social Workers, Students, Teaching Faculty, Youth Mentors and Youth Programs Staff.
 

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"Falling into Spring"- SkyDiving for Awareness about Violence Against Students"

  University of North Dakota- University students from across North Dakota are coming together during the spring of 2008 in a unified effort to raise awareness about violence against students. Dru Sjodin (UND) was raped and murdered in November 2003. Her killer, Alphonso Rodriquez is currently on death row. Mindy Morgenstern (VCSC) was killed in September 2006; her killer Moe Gibbs received life without parole. During the summer of 2007, yet another student, Anita Knutson (Minot State) was murdered in her apartment. This case remains unsolved, although DNA is available for testing.

   Students in the UND School of Communication taking the Public Relations Practicum under the instruction of Shelle Michaels are leading the efforts with a campaign called "Dru's Dive". This campaign entails the courage of others to "free fall" or better known as sky dive, for awareness. Students across North Dakota will be taking a "Two-Mile High Stand" for violence against students as a part of Operation Freefall, the boldest, highest-altitude and most daring event in the state to showcase prevention and awareness.

   The campaign "Kick Off" will be on April 26, 2008 at SkyDive Fargo from noon to 4 p.m. Special highlights of this kick off (weather permitting) will be Linda Walker (Dru's Sjodin's mother) taking the first freefall as well as food and entertainment.

   The students are currently recruiting others to come on board with them to go skydiving. The jump costs $600; this includes the cost of the dive with a tandem master and any additional money raised through jump sponsors will go to the three anti-violence organizations, Operation FreeFall, SOAR and North Dakota Council on Abused Women's Services (NDCAWS).

   The funds that are directed to NDCAWS will go towards the Women's Opportunity Scholarship Fund in the names of Dru Sjodin, Mindy Morgenstern and Anita Knutson. This fund's purpose is to provide higher education opportunities to low-income women who wish to enter, or are currently attending a North Dakota college, university, or trade school. The fund assists scholarship recipients in a number of ways. It helps them to break the bonds of poverty and enhance their lives and the lives of their families intellectually, culturally, and environmentally.

   You don't need to be an experienced skydiver to participate. In fact, most people are first-timers. No advance training is required. You will make a "tandem" skydive attached to a United States Parachute Association licensed tandem master. Your participation fee includes everything needed for a tandem jump: instruction and/or training, tandem skydive, plus a souvenir video to give you a permanent memento of this exciting experience.

   The following people have been designated as dive leaders in their campus communities:

Laura Palmer (UND)
Janelle Sjodin and Betsy Budge Joyce (Minneapolis area)
Christine Ozirny-Lillemon and Tyler Schmaltz (Minot)
Tiffany Christiansen and Tonia Christiansen (Valley City)

   If you are interested in joining the efforts please contact: drusdive@msn.com or direct further questions to: Shelle Michaels at cell phone: (218) 779-7271 or E-mail: shellemichaels@msn.com

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Earth Day Event Planning has begun for April Events

   Planning has begun for Earth Week 2008 “Live Green. Learn Green”. Several committees are being formed to help make this a wonderful week of happenings. Last year the event sponsored several events for people of all ages in a host of venues around our community. 2008 promises to be an even bigger and better time of valuing our planet. The event has ways for many people to get involved and participate in planning and producing the event. Cass County Soil Conservation District has put together a communications center under the Earth Day Web Page. You can access this information from your home page at www.cassscd.org or directly at http://www.cassscd.org/Education/2008Earthday.html. Meeting summaries and meeting dates will be added to the site as they are established.

    There are several committees that will be working on this event with lots of room for volunteers to get involved. Committee members are especially needed on the following committees: Main Event, Finance, and Public Relations. If you are interested in helping with this event please contact Christine Laney at 701-235-7394 or e-mail www.riverkeepers.org.