Welcome to the last Center for Research and Innovation Custom College (CRI CC) newsletter! Don't worry we're not going away, but like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, we have an exciting transformation ahead. More details will be announced soon--keep watching for the news!

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Summer is a great time to chart your course ahead of the pack with personal and professional development opportunities.

Many professionals have created LinkedIn accounts and some have logged into Facebook as well. But how do you go from just having such an account to really using that resource to increase brand recognition, customer contacts, and revenue? Where can you start? "Social Media for Business I," a class co-sponsored by CRI and the Bemidji Chamber of Commerce, is the answer. Chris Rodewald of CR Consulting will introduce students to the incredible options available to the savvy social media user by introducing these sites and their professional potential.

Manage the stress that can accompany retirement planning by embracing a proactive and holistic approach. In the June "Mapping Your Retirement" course, participants will think about maintaining their health, managing their money, and living well in their senior years. This class combines in-person learning with online discussion to support and encourage participants to develop integrated plans for fulfilling retirements. Profit from the combined skills of Certified Retirement Coach Debbie Drinkard Grovum and her co-instructor Dr. Boyd Dressler of Bozeman, MT, and ease your mind about the vital matter of retirement planning.

Are your organization's near-retirement employees uncomfortable with what the future holds for them? Increase employee loyalty and reduce employee stress and distraction by hosting a "Mapping Your Retirement - Work Site Workshop." Make a strategic investment in employee satisfaction with this great course.

Effectively identifying and assembling financial resources is essential for both non-profit organizations and educational institutions. Whether you are a teacher, an administrator, or a development professional, there is much to learn from Dr. Charles Alberti. Dr. Alberti is an author, retired professor, and fundraising expert with national experience who will lead an intensive one-day "Fundraising for Non-Profits" course later this month. Students in this class will 'profit' from his years of experience, individualized advice, and creative thinking!

Summer is a perfect time to invest in your future with online and classroom-based continuing education options. Click on the links below to learn about the upcoming courses CRI CC offers for working professionals:

Teaching and Learning about the Minnesota American Indian Arts through Music, Visual Arts, and Pow Wow, Perfect for arts educators and classroom teachers to ensure students meet the Minnesota Standards in the Arts.

Getting More Done through Landscape-Level Approaches: an Overview of the MN Forest Resources Council Landscape Program, Leverage fewer resources to do more with collaborative approaches at this Natural Resources Continuing Education Consortium event.

Home Health Aide, This online course begins daily for CNAs who are looking to add to their Nurse's Aide certification.

Industrial Lift Truck Train-the-Trainer, Learn to certify operators to drive industrial trucks, course sponsored by the Northern Minnesota Safety Council.

In other news, this month CRI CC says farewell to our indispensable Office Manager Jackie Ryder who is retiring after nearly 24 years at Bemidji State University! We thank Jackie for her wonderful years of service and wish her all the best with what's ahead!

Did you know that almost all CRI CC classes can be customized for your organization? Learn how your employees can benefit from the expertise of our instructors. Bring one of our standard classes to your workplace or have CRI CC develop something tailored specifically for your organization. Contact us today to find out more! Also, watch our calendar for all new course information.

CRI’s mission is to create opportunities through workforce, professional, and organizational development.Click here to let us know how we can better accomplish this mission and support your business success via our customized training programs, multimedia development, and other services. Upon request this document can be made available in alternate formats, please contact CRI for assistance. If you are taking a class from CRI and need a reasonable accommodation for a disability, such an accommodation can be made available upon advance request. Please contact CRI as soon as possible. For TTY communication, contact the Minnesota Relay Service at 612-297-5353 or 1-800-627-3529.