Imagining a Better Minnesota: Join the 30-Day Future Writing Experiment

Minnesota faces many challenges in delivering services and support to its residents. Instead of focusing on what is broken, a new initiative invites Minnesotans to imagine what could work better. The 30-Day Future Writing Experiment offers a fresh way to build trust, improve capacity, and find local solutions by writing a clear, hopeful vision of Minnesota’s future.

What Is the 30-Day Future Writing Experiment?

This experiment is not a protest or a complaint session. It is a civic pilot designed to bring people together across the state to write about what Minnesota could look like if it truly worked for everyone. For 30 days, participants stop describing problems and start describing solutions. The goal is to create a structured wish list that is specific, realistic, and actionable.

Everyone in Minnesota is invited to participate, whether they need services, provide care, or serve in government. The experiment focuses on three groups:

• Citizens and service recipients who need support

• Providers and administrators who deliver care and services

• Legislators and local officials who make decisions

  
  

Each group has a clear role in imagining and shaping a better Minnesota.

Citizens and Service Recipients: Writing What You Need

If you rely on services or support, this is your chance to speak up. The experiment asks you to write down exactly what you need and what “fixed” would look like. Think about:

• What services or support are missing or hard to access?

• What would dignity and respect feel like in your experience?

• How could trust be rebuilt between you and those who serve you?

  
  

This is not about fantasy. It is about creating a clear, honest wish list that can guide real change. When you see improvements, even small ones, acknowledging them helps build trust and encourages more progress.

Providers and Administrators: Identifying Barriers and Solutions

If you provide care or manage services, your insights are crucial. The experiment asks you to reflect on what limits your capacity and slows you down. Consider:

• Which rules or policies create unnecessary delays or confusion?

• What staffing models have worked well in your experience?

• How can quality improve without adding chaos or stress?

  
  

Whether you run a small group home or a large facility, your input will help identify practical fixes that can be implemented within 30 days. The goal is to increase capacity and improve service delivery in ways that make sense on the ground.

Legislators and Local Officials: Focus on Local Repair

Elected officials are encouraged to focus on their districts and communities. The experiment calls for listening carefully to local voices and acting on local needs. Instead of relying on out-of-state solutions or national debates, officials should:

• Identify 3 to 5 high-impact fixes that matter most in their region

• Remove at least one unnecessary barrier to service or care

• Pilot one new idea or innovation that could improve outcomes

  
  

By repairing and improving services locally, Minnesota can create models that others will want to follow.

The 30-Day Goal: Clear Steps Toward Change

The experiment sets a clear goal for the 30 days:

• Identify several high-impact fixes per region

• Remove one unnecessary barrier

• Pilot one innovation

• Restore one measure of trust or capacity

  
  

This focused approach encourages quick wins and builds momentum for longer-term improvements.

Why This Experiment Matters

Minnesota has a strong tradition of community and public service, but many people feel disconnected from the systems meant to support them. This experiment offers a way to rebuild trust by listening carefully and acting clearly. It moves beyond complaints and politics to focus on practical, local solutions.

By writing together about what works, Minnesotans can create a shared vision that guides real change. This process respects the experiences of those who need services, the challenges faced by providers, and the responsibilities of elected officials.

How You Can Join

If you live in Minnesota, consider taking part in this experiment. Write down your ideas, share your experiences, and listen to others. Whether you need services, provide care, or serve in government, your voice matters.

Together, Minnesotans can imagine a future where services work better, trust is restored, and local solutions thrive.