MALHM Conference 2026 Session Brainstorming

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1		MALHM Conference 2026 Session Brainstorming – NEW! Got a great conference session idea, but no one to present with? Maybe you're new to the state/field and want to collaborate with your colleagues on a session. We're here to help you get connected— share your ideas & info below! Please note: it's up to you to connect with potential co-presenters and organize final session proposals. Session proposals are due by Friday, December 5, 2025 (Extended!) — find the Google Form here!
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6		Session Idea(s)	Your Name & Contact Info	Additional Notes (session type, etc.)	Name & Contact Info of Interested Folks (include a short note how how you will contribute)	Name & Contact Info of Interested Folks (include a short note how how you will contribute)	Name & Contact Info of Interested Folks (include a short note how how you will contribute)	Name & Contact Info of Interested Folks (include a short note how how you will contribute)	Name & Contact Info of Interested Folks (include a short note how how you will contribute)

7	EXAMPLE:	I'd like to put together a session on fundraising. I'm specifically interested in event fundraising & new trends for fundraising (outside of big galas). Does anyone have any unique experiences or success stories?	Liz Koele, MALHM, liz@mnhistoryalliance.org	Possibly a panel or traditional presentation	John Johnson, Acme County Historical Society, john@acmehistorical.org I recently worked with my board to put together a goat yoga event, which raised a significant amount of money for our org and was really popular!	Nelly Nelson, Acme History Center, nelly@acmehistory.org I've built some great relationships with local for-profit businesses, so we actually have to worry less about fundraising. I could talk about long-term fundraising & partnership strategies
8		Lightning talks featuring projects from the grants commemorating 50 years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota. Maybe we could focus on projects related to oral histories and storytelling. If you're involved with one of these grants, please describe your connection. Thank you!	Crystal Boyd, crystalboydconsulting@gmail.com	Potentially four 10-minute lightning talks plus Q&A (1 hour total)	Ryan Barland (rbarland@plymouthmn.gov) -- happy to present on the MNHS Asians in MN oral history project
9		Lightning talks from organizations that publish meaty journals or newsletters including research articles. Maybe each person presents for 7 minutes on a different part of the process (identifying topics, finding writers, contracting, editing, layout, printing, etc).	Crystal Boyd, crystalboydconsulting@gmail.com	Potentially five 7-minute lightning talks plus Q&A (1 hour total)	Regan Richardson, regan.history.and.research@gmail.com. I edit the MN Genealogical Society's quarterly journal along with the journal for the Arkansas Genealogical Society. If either of those fit your criteria, I am happy to talk about the process. I can speak to almost all parts of the process with the exception of finding topics and contracting.
10		I'm interesting in putting together a session concerning how research libraries/archives track research requests and how they use that data. Specifically for our organization, we use a google form within our staff and then use the information in meetings with our commissioners, so I'm interested to hear if others do something similar. Or if anyone does something different. This may be helpful for organizations wanting to start a similar process but not wanting to fully create it from scratch.	Marisa Campanaro archivist@wrighthistory.org	Roundtable
11		Last year, I hosted a session about field trips, what makes them wonderful, and what makes them challenging. There was a lot of interest in developing some sort of affinity group through MALHM. I'd love a co-presenter to help me lead a discussion on making this possible.	Claire Steffen (MNHS) claire.steffen@mnhs.org	Roundtable
12		Let's dive into the inherent challenges of telling hometown stories, exploring the intersections of personal connection, historical accuracy, and those tricky or controversial local histories. I'd like to discuss creative strategies for addressing difficult topics.	Jeremiah Ellis jeremiah.e.ellis@gmail.com alan@platthollowroad.com	Panel or Roundtable	Jillian Knight. knight@newhistory.com OR jknight.history.gmail.com. I would love to participate and share knowledge I have learned from my work in Hastings with BR4R.	Jeremiah, Daniel Bergin from Twin Cities PBS here. I could share stories from my history documentary work with local pbs. dbergin@tpt.org
13		Leveraging Volunteers -- How does your organization utilize volunteers? Do you have super volunteers? Or do you want to highlight a recent project that relied on volunteers? Tips or best practices. Really anything regarding volunteers.	Ryan Barland rbarland@plymouthmn.gov
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