CRI Brown Bag Lunch Series - Strength Quest
Do you have the chance to do what you do best every single day? Chances are you don't - in fact, only 20% of all people say that they are doing what they do best each day. That fact is a national tragedy according to strengths expert, Marcus Buckingham. For the 20% who do play consistently to their strengths, they are six times more likely to be emotionally engaged on the job and three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life in general! This makes them more passionate, more productive, less stressed, better employees who make significant, quality contributions to their organizations. Everyone wins! Join DeAnna Murphy, instructor from Northland Community and Technical College, at the CRI (3801 Bemidji Ave N, Suite 4) on Wednesday, September 9 from noon to 1 p.m. to learn more about how to capitalize on your and your team's strengths. No registration is required for this free event, more information is online.

Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Building Operator Certification, Level 1
Building Operator Certification (BOC®) training includes nearly 80 hours of classroom and project work in building systems operation and maintenance. Each course in the series is completed in a one-day training session, except BOC 103 - HVAC Systems and Controls, which is a two-day course. To become certified, participants must pass an exam at the end of each day of training and complete assigned projects. Course will be offered beginning January 28th, 2010 at Northwest Technical College. The cost of the training is $1,200. Register online at www.boccentral.org. For more information about BOC training, please contact James Pena at (312) 784-7277 or jpena@mwalliance.org. Click here for the flyer. Employees of Ottertail and Minnesota Power commercial customers may be reimbursed for the $1200 course fee if this course is taken and completed. For more information on this reimbursement, click here for Ottertail customers, or click here for Minnesota Power customers. 

Real Estate Sales Pre-Licensure Courses
Real Estate is a dynamic industry that offers flexible job opportunities for energetic individuals with good people skills. To become a licensed real estate professional in Minnesota, you must complete 90 hours of pre-licensure training - Real Estate I, II and III. You must also successfully pass the Real Estate Licensure exam. After completing 90 hours of classroom instruction and passing the exam, you can apply for the Real Estate Salesperson License with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Pre-licensure courses will be delivered via ITV on the campus of Bemidji State University beginning Tuesday, September 15. Click here for more information, full schedule and registration.

Residential Energy Auditor Training
This five-day course provides basic training in how to assess the potential for improving home energy efficiency and comfort. The Residential Energy Auditor program is suited for employees or individuals who are performing or interested in utility sponsored residential energy conservation audits and working with the low-income weatherization program. It also provides the technical skills for building contractors to add a residential energy efficiency line of business. A certification examination of the State of Minnesota's minimum qualifications for residential energy auditors will be included with the cost of registration. This course will be held September 21 through 25 at Northwest Technical College. This course is offered in partnership with Dunwoody College of Technology, Minnesota Department of Commerce, and U.S. Department of Energy. To register please go to http://www.dunwoody.edu/custom/energyaudit.html

Natural Resources Consortium Presents 'Can our forests adapt to invasive pests?'
Carrie Pike of the University of Minnesota will discuss successes and failures of programs attempting to breed for resistance to a variety of invasive insects and diseases. She will also cover factors that influence resistance and invasiveness in ecosystems. The discussion will highlight Minnesota's breeding program for improving resistance in white pine to blister rust disease. The goal is to discuss how to make informed decisions about damage-control when invasive species enter the larger wood supply in the state. This natural resources presentation will be held Monday, September 21 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This free information and discussion session will be held at the CRI. A full schedule of Natural Resource Consortium events is available online.

Succession Planning Course offered Online
Succession planning is a process of developing talent within the organization to meet needs now and into the future. As the workforce is facing retirement of baby boomers, it is important to establish and implement a succession plan now. Topics that will enable you to define, prepare, and write a succession plan will be covered. This course is online beginning Monday, September 28 with instructor Brian Mathews. Registration form and more information are online.

CANCELLED-Regional Employer Support Network Presents Headwaters Business Success Seminar
Want to grow and strengthen your small or midsize business? Check out this fantastic networking and business development opportunity! The Regional Employer Support Network, sponsored and managed by the BSU Center for Research and Innovation, will host the 1st Annual Headwaters Business Success Seminar connecting small and midsized business owners and managers to practical resources and ideas that can be used to develop and grow local business. This one-day seminar will cover practical marketing, finance, and human resource issues. Speakers will include successful local entrepreneurs, lenders, and state officials. Join us at New City Ballroom on Tuesday, September 29 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Advance registration is required. More information is online.This event is co-sponsored by First National Bank Bemidji, Security Bank, and TruStar Federal Credit Union.

Academy of Lifelong Learning Fall Session Begins Join the Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) as it kicks of its 15th educational season! Hear about the archeological history of the Bemidji area, go for a visit to the Forest History Center, discuss the life of Coya Knutson, learn about ethical decision-making, and so much more. The first presentation of this season will be "Pow wows: History, Culture, and Symbolism" with BSU instructor Henry Flocken on Tuesday, September 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at CRI. ALL events are free (with the exception of a field trip to the Forest History Center) and open to the public. For further information, read the fall ALL newsletter and the complete ALL fall schedule online.

Human Resource Management - Performance Appraisals, Coaching, and Termination offered Online
This course addresses human resource topics including reward systems, performance management, and retention from a strategic perspective. It will teach business managers how to retain good employees and coach for improved performance through the use of an employee performance management system. This course will discuss the importance of improving and correcting employee performance, as well as what to know when discipline and termination becomes necessary. This course is online beginning Monday, October 5 with instructor Lyndi Odegard. Registration form and more information are online.

Grant Writing Course offered Online
This course will bring you through each step of writing a winning grant proposal, from the letter of intent to letters of support. You will learn how to write concise goals and needs statements, describe your organization and project/program, develop a budget, create an evaluation and project timeline, and collect supporting documents critical to the grant process. The course will take you through the Common Grant Application accepted by most foundations and giving organizations, and will give an overview of Federal grant formats. This course is offered online beginning Monday, October 5 with instructor Nate Dorr. Registration form and more information are online.

Academy of Lifelong Learning Field Trip to the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, MN
A full day of educational events including a museum tour, film, and multiple interactive, interpretive, and hands-on activities will take place on Tuesday, October 6. Please note that there is a $48.00 registration fee for the Forest History Center trip, which is due by October 1. This fee covers the cost of transportation, lunch, and History Center admission. Space is limited, so register today! Click here for the registration form and details regarding the Forest History Center Trip.

Commercial Vehicle Inspection Re-Certification This mandatory course is designed to provide re-certification for commercial and/or self-truck inspectors already in Commercial Vehicle Inspection. Individuals whose certification has expired must complete this re-certification course to renew within six months of expiration date. Participants are required to bring their current certification number and business address with them to class. This course will take place on Friday, October 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Northwest Technical College. More information and a registration form are available online.

The Basics of a New Position: Job Analysis to Hiring
Whether you need to create a new position or fill an existing one, this course will help you analyze your businesses needs and walk you through the entire process. Throughout the course you will develop a job description, improve your job application, create an ad posting the position, walk through the interview process-creating job appropriate interview questions and strategies to evaluate applications, and finally, you will learn about recruiting and hiring. This course is offered online beginning Monday, October 19 with instructor Lyndi Odegard. Registration form and more information are online.  

Many other opportunities are coming soon. Watch our calendar of offerings from Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation and Northwest Technical College Custom College for all new course info.