"Regional Change and the Knowledge Economy"
Over the past few years, there has been much in the media about something called the "Knowledge Economy". There are quite a few of us asking what the heck is a knowledge economy and how does it affect me sitting up here in NW Minnesota? How can anyone make money if I don't make "stuff" and sell it? Good questions. Read more about what it is and what we can do about it.

"Performance Evaluation Writing"
Presenting will be Rick Demers, training specialist with Leech Lake Gaming, Cass Lake. He will give an overview of evaluation writing as a process rather than an isolated event including the evaluation process, types of information gathered and the writing of the evaluation itself. Handout materials will be available to those attending. "If you can't measure something, you can't manage it. If you can't measure something, you can't coach it. If you can't measure something, you can't recognize it," said Demers. Open networking and discussion are also part of the session. Join us at CRI on Thursday, July 10, 9 - 11am. More information and the full schedule are online.

An Overview of Water Resources Projects on the Red Lake Reservation
Presenting will be Joel Rohde, water resources program director for the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources. Projects that will be discussed include a bathymetric study of Upper and Lower Red Lake that will be tied to substrate data to better manage the lake. Bathymetric charts are designed to present an accurate, measurable description and visual presentation of the submerged terrain. Other projects that will be discussed include water quality assessments of 98 small lakes; stream monitoring and assessment; the annual Water Festival; and an upcoming dam removal project. "Over 236,500 acres of the Red Lake Band's 805,725 total acres are water," said Rohde. "In addition to the more than 135 lakes, there are over 55 miles of rivers and streams on Band land. The largest lakes on, and adjoining, Band lands are Upper and Lower Red Lakes, which cover 119,334 and 164,928 acres respectively. Of the 284,262 total acres comprising the Red Lakes, 236,513 are owned and managed by the Red Lake Band." Join us Monday, July 21 from 3 ? 4 p.m. This free information and discussion session will be held at the CRI, 3801 Bemidji Avenue North, Suite 4. More information and the full schedule are online. 

CRI Offers Instruction for Those Interested in Facilitating Online Learning
The Center for Research and Innovation is expanding online and classroom business and industry training offerings. This is an excellent contract opportunity for individuals with technical or professional certification AND applicable work experience or a formal degree. Individuals interested in learning more should plan to attend a meeting at CRI on August 18 from 10am to 12 pm. More information about the informational meeting and online instruction is available by contacting Kerry Ross at kross@bemidjistate.edu or Mike Wellcome at mwellcome@bemidjistate.edu

Get Involved and Build Your Own Professional Network
The Center for Research and Innovation hosts and manages several groups designed by professionals in a particular field for professionals in that field to share resources, network and bring needed information to the Bemidji area. The Regional Employer Support Network supports those who deal with human resources issues; the Northern MN Safety Council brings information to those responsible for safety in their organization and the Natural Resources Continuing Education Consortium caters to natural resources professionals. If you would like to get involved guiding one of these existing groups; or, if you have an idea to start your own, contact the Center for Research and Innovation at cri@bemidjistate.edu