Upcoming trainings
In addition to the many trainings we provide to clients across the country, we offer in person and remote events that are open to individuals who are interesting in deepening their understanding about the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms and expanding their capacity as leaders. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming trainings!
Science of the positive/Positive Community Norms
Foundations Course
The Science of the Positive & Positive Community Norms: Foundations of Research & Practice
Those of us who work in health and safety can become hyper-focused on the dangers and problems we are trying to decrease. The Science of the Positive reverses this problem-centered frame, and centers on growing the healthy, positive, protective factors that already exist in our communities. When we start to look at the world through this positive, hopeful lens, it has a profound impact on the questions we ask, the data we collect, and the way we address health and safety issues.
This two and half hour workshop will introduce the Science of the Positive and Positive Community norms frameworks, which have been used to enhance health and safety, increase protective factors, strengthen healthy norms, and transform community cultures on critical issues such as substance use, traffic safety, child maltreatment, and youth suicide.
Live and recorded access to this workshop will be provided at no additional charge to everyone who registers for the Montana Winter Institute.
Led by: Sara Thompson, Director of Training and Communications & Becky Franks, Special Projects Director
Cost: $199
January 9th, 11:00-1:30 pm MST
Montana Winter Institute
The 2025 Montana Winter Institute: “The Transformative Power of Positive Leadership,” will be held online for one hour each day during the week of January 13th-17th (Noon-1pm CT). The purpose of the annual Montana Winter Institute is to introduce participants to a specific application of the Science of the Positive Framework that is of particular relevance in the world, and to introduce some of the people that we are learning from related to that topic. Each day, we will hear from a different speaker, and the 2025 line-up is one you won’t want to miss.
Monday, Jan. 13th – Dr. Jeff Linkenbach, Founding Director and Research Scientist at The Montana Institute will unpack, “The Science of the Positive Transformative Community Leadership Framework.”
Tuesday, Jan. 14th – Dr. Chan Hellman, Professor and Director of the Hope Research Center at the University of Oklahoma, will present on “Becoming a Hope-Centered Leader.”
Wednesday, Jan. 15th – Kenny White, Chief Operating Officer of Funmentum Labs, will present on “Leading with fun to Fuel Team Productivity.”
Thursday, Jan. 16th – Kirsten Wittmann, US Army Veteran, Ojibwe Author, and TEDx Speaker, will present on “Leading with Both Eyes Open: Combining Pragmatic and Intuitive Approaches to Your Vision.”
Friday, Jan. 17th – Stephanie Patton & Ben Tanzer, Faculty Members of The Montana Institute, will wrap up the week with a summative presentation on “Unleashing Your Transformational Leadership.”
Cost: $149
January 13th-17th, 11:00-12:00 pm MST
Science of the positive/Positive Community Norms
Foundations Course
The Science of the Positive & Positive Community Norms: Foundations of Research & Practice
Those of us who work in health and safety can become hyper-focused on the dangers and problems we are trying to decrease. The Science of the Positive reverses this problem-centered frame, and centers on growing the healthy, positive, protective factors that already exist in our communities. When we start to look at the world through this positive, hopeful lens, it has a profound impact on the questions we ask, the data we collect, and the way we address health and safety issues.
This two and half hour workshop will introduce the Science of the Positive and Positive Community norms frameworks, which have been used to enhance health and safety, increase protective factors, strengthen healthy norms, and transform community cultures on critical issues such as substance use, traffic safety, child maltreatment, and youth suicide.
Live and recorded access to this workshop will be provided at no additional charge to everyone who registers for the Montana Summer Institute.
Led by: Sara Thompson, Director of Training and Communications & Becky Franks, Special Projects Director
Cost: $199
May 20th,11:00-1:30 pm MST
Montana Summer Institute
June 17th-20th, 2025
Onsite or Online
MSI 2025: Seeing With New Eyes: Uncovering positive norms and hidden protective factors to grow community health
Join us in beautiful Big Sky or online for the premier national conference on positive norms, and learn how to look at your work, your data, and the people you serve with new eyes. You’ll discover innovative approaches that harness positive norms and increase protective factors, develop data-driven insights, and practice creating effective communications crucial for fostering healthier communities. Engage with leading experts, explore innovative methodologies, and learn how to leverage data and strategic communication to make a significant impact on community well-being. Don’t miss this chance to expand your prevention toolkit and drive meaningful change by looking through a fresh lens!
"I appreciated the blend of evidence-based research with real-world application. This event is essential for anyone committed to community betterment.”
