See all posts in the Carver County Commissioners series
(Hear from Carver County Commissioners is a regular feature where Carver County commissioners share updates, insights, and messages with their communities. Commissioner Matt Udermann is providing the current edition.)
“Small acts, multiplied by many, change the world.” Arthur Ashe
Ninety percent of New Year’s resolutions get abandoned by February—perhaps in part because most go it alone. A gym membership, a self help journey, ambitious “read 52 books in a year” goals, or the like. What if this year we did it together? Had an accountability partner? Did something that would have a lasting impact beyond our own self?
I’ve developed some ideas of something I’m calling Engage 50. It looks like this: Starting in January, would you consider committing to two to three hours a month to…
- Engage 50 Volunteer Hours: Be the hands that lift others; roughly one hour/week at a local food shelf, senior facility, picking up trash or simply offering to mow or rake a neighbor’s lawn.
- Engage 50 Conversations: Be the bridge across divides, preferably with someone not already in your circle or that might not share your beliefs.
- Engage 50 Acts of Gratitude: Be the kindness that elevates hearts. A simple thank you note, uplifting post, text or call, including to those that spend their lives serving others.
- Engage 50 New Connections: Building trust and relationships—invites to hang on the porch, go for a walk, grab coffee, book club, library hangs, etc.
- Engage $50 Donations: Invest in a place we call home— $50 per month to a local cause of your choice.
The impact of 12 people doing Engage 50 would equal 600 incremental volunteer hours, conversations, acts of gratitude, new connections and $7.2K donated.
If you’d like to join, there are a few spots on my crew of 12, made up of mostly folks I want to get to know better and with what might be differing views, to go on this journey together.
You’d get a weekly a note of encouragement, a check in and a group chat of opportunities, easy links, and periodic in-person meet ups.
You can also share this article and make your own crew. I’m happy to share ideas and resources to lower any barriers.
I believe neighboring well is perhaps the silver bullet when it comes to making our community even better. Engage 50 is a way to activate neighbors looking for a next step but sometimes get stuck with how to do so.
I think we all agree we could use a little more unity and a little less division. It might seem a little kumbaya, yet if just 10 percent of county residents took part, we’d see a ripple and then a wave of sustainable positive impact in our community. That would be an incremental $6.9M in donations invested into our community, 575,000 volunteer hours, 575,000 acts of gratitude, 575,000 new connections and 575,000 conversations.
Odds and Ends
Fun Quote. “Positive anything is better than negative nothing.” –Elbert Hubbard, Writer
I voted Yes: When I ran for office I promised to serve you, the people of Carver County. My promises were four fold: people matter, community matters, results matter and finances matter. As promised, I put in great effort to lower your tax rate while keeping property values strong and a healthy tax mix. I don’t believe your property taxes should double every five to seven years. My vote on Dec. 2 was a yes to keep the promise and a no to an eight percent levy increase.
School Referendum: 44 of 70 school districts in Minnesota passed or partially passed school referendums in 2025. The District 112 referendum passed with 62 percent approval. In all likelihood, 2029 will be the next referendum.
Minnewashta and Baylor Parks: Been there lately? I am pleased that our vintage signs are now refreshed and better reflect the park amenities in our county.
Get Involved: Have interest in serving your community? Want to graduate from professional dart thrower or social media warrior and get in the game to see how the sausage is made? You’re invited to consider open advisory committees now open: www.carvercountymn.gov/government/advisory-committees
The Three Ls. Or are there four? Where will your kids or grandkids (or mine) live in 20 years? 50 year mortgages? Different zoning? A want and a will to reduce red take making market rate homes accessible to a first time school teacher or a social worker? With a stroke of a pen there are options to make home ownership accessible for many, many more. Locally, we have a ‘missing middle’ that has largely been unaddressed. Simply, if housing were a ladder, we’re missing too many rungs (how do people downsize from $600K+ houses? How does someone in subsidized housing or a $1,500 rental step up?. Often the conversations move to the “three Ls:” land, labor, lumber. Perhaps we ought to look more closely at a fourth—legislation.
Thai Restaurant The space formerly occupied by Tommy’s Malt shop is now occupied by Chaska Thai Restaurant. The three people at my table on a recent visit all gave glowing remarks. While you try it out, consider patronizing some of the other local shops and restaurants as well.
Followers. I’m happy to participate in The Professional Development Academy for Leading On Purpose training. Last week’s course was on followership. Other weeks have focused on: moonshot ideas, power of purpose, clarity on why, human motivation and impact.
Business Closures. Many businesses have announced closures at the end of the year including Schram Brewery, Tazzie and others. Perhaps we ought to look at the increased barriers facing our tax paying businesses and the valuable services they offer. A recent report showed Minnesota as 44th in overall tax competitiveness, 39th in job growth, 46th in median household income growth and nearly 48,000 residents ‘outmigrated’ from Minnesota from 2019 to 2024, as shared via letter from the Brainerd Lakes Area Mayors.
Resolutions and best intentions fade. Let’s make 2026 the year of Engage 50. Who’s in? Form a crew, share this article and let’s neighbor well together.
115K Estimated Population x 10% = 11.5K. 11.5K x 50 = 575,000. $575,000 x 12 Months = $6.9M. In volunteer hours, that’s the equivalent of 3,000 – 8 Hour Work Days, or the equivalent of 276 Full Time Jobs)
Matthew Steven Udermann is Carver County Commissioner in District 3 (largely Victoria and Chaska). Share your comments directly to: matt.udermann@carvercountymn.gov of 612.888.4733.
