Host a
Listening
Session
Bring Minnesota: Land of Neighbors to your community.
Across Minnesota, people are gathering in living rooms, houses of worship, union halls, and community centers to talk about what they value and what kind of neighbors they want to be. We're inviting organizations and community groups across the state to host one of these conversations, and we'll cover the cost!
What is a listening session?
A listening session is a structured community conversation. Guided by trained facilitators, small groups talk through what they value in their neighborhood, their community, and their state, and what would help Minnesotans handle disagreement without losing sight of each other. It's not a debate, and it's not a town hall. Nobody's trying to win an argument. We're gathering what people actually think, in their own words.
We're recruiting hosts now for sessions running through November 15, 2026.
The application is short. Submit your inquiry today!
Questions? Email us at info@mnlandofneighbors.org
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Your voice matters, and so do your neighbors’ voices. Listening sessions gather perspectives from Minnesotans and will steer the direction of Minnesota: Land of Neighbors.
Second, this is a great way to bring people in your community together and understand what matters to your neighbors and how you can work together toward common goals.
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The listening sessions aim to get Minnesotans to describe the values and behaviors they associate with being a good neighbor. We ask the following questions in a three tiered process:
Picture your inner-most level of neighbors at its very best.
What are you seeing and hearing, and how does it feel?
Picture your community, town or city.
When this larger land of neighbors is at its best, what is it like? Or what would it be like if it became its very best?
Picture Minnesota as a state.
What values do you think most Minnesotans share, even across our differences?
What would help Minnesotans, including each of us, to handle our differences in ways that strengthen us as neighbors?
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We will collect listening session participant answers to identify what common neighborly values and behaviors are shared by most Minnesotans.
Then, we will use these shared values and behaviors to create opportunities for all Minnesotans to engage better with their neighbors and build a stronger, more connected Minnesota.
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Minnesota: Land of Neighbors will provide:
A full toolkit: moderator guide, participant worksheets, and a facilitator's guide
Training — up to an hour, live or recorded — on how to run the session
A small stipend to cover your time plus reimbursement for venue, food, child care/interpreting, and printing costs
Ongoing support from our team, including help finding a moderator if you need one
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Recruit participants to attend
Secure a space and arrange logistics like food, print materials, and child care / interpreting as necessary
Run the session using our questions and format
Submit attendance numbers and session notes afterward — this is required for reimbursement
Keep the session open, and nonpartisan: no candidate endorsements, speeches, or campaigning at the event
Keep the session forward-looking and respectful of different viewpoints, experiences, and perspectives – this isn’t a debate forum; it’s a conversation to understand
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Hosts receive a $150 base stipend to honor the time it takes to organize, plus reimbursement for documented venue, food, and printing costs, up to a ceiling based on attendance:
20 attendees or fewer: up to $500 in reimbursed costs ($650 total)
21–40 attendees: up to $1,000 in reimbursed costs ($1,150 total)
More than 40 attendees: up to $1,500 in reimbursed costs ($1,650 total)
Expecting a significantly larger session? Contact info@mnlandofneighbors.org to discuss
Reimbursement is paid after you submit receipts and session data. Direct deposit is available.
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Indicate your interest by completing the short form below.
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Questions? Email us at info@mnlandofneighbors.org