Engaging the Community to empower the
“Human” in “Humanity.”
Our Mission
To take people on a journey to discover a dynamic culture that fosters excellence in their environment and the development of a better world.
Our Vision
To empower individuals to lift their personal and professional community by celebrating and engaging the “human” in “humanity.”
Our Why
To provide a tangible working platform igniting individual passion and organizational pride. THE HUMANITY LAUNCH understands that a successful culture requires action and interaction.
Mission Control
The Humanity Launch specializes in presentations promoting the exploration and creation of dynamic classroom culture. A menu of topics is available; however, these are not cookie-cutter presentations. Composing and producing a one of a kind motivational talk, keynote speech, or small group workshop for you and your audience is the Humanity Launch’s forte.
Have a specific theme?
The Humanity Launch will design a presentation that celebrates that message as it empowers the audience.
Have a specific area of interest you want to be addressed?
In an initial interview, your ideas, concerns, and objectives will be heard and collected. A presentation will be built on the cornerstone of that information.
The Humanity Launch does the research. From the history and mission of your school to trends in the field, current pulse points are at the core of each presentation. All presentations “meet people where they are.”
Storytelling is at the core of the Humanity Launch’s style, which is real, engaging, entertaining, and provoking.
Audiences will leave with applicable skills for their personal and professional life.
BOOSTER ROCKETS - KEYNOTES
Drafting one’s story ignites stronger relationships. Once administrators, teachers, support staff, and students feel seen and heard, they build a dynamic and inclusive culture.
A Humanity Launch Keynote is the perfect way to begin this journey.
Based on each school’s past paths and current atmosphere, the Humanity Launch keynote is a designer exploration of future goals and strategies. Each Humanity Launch presenter prepares a dynamic presentation rich with transforming inspiration. Whether 30, 60, or 90 minutes, a Humanity Launch Keynote presentation will motivate educators and ignite classroom culture.
Booster Rockets - Breakout Sessions
HONOR TRADITION, WELCOME CHANGE
“But we’ve always done it this way,” is a safe but risky approach to business. Instead, creating a safe environment in which to encourage growth and nurture success is a sure recipe to a happy and prosperous work place. Reviewing the mission statement, assessing the client, defining individual roles, embracing creativity, examining communication and exploring technology, are just some of the ways to move your team from sitting on tradition to celebrating change.
GENERATION YES!
Understanding the work ethics and generational differences of Boomers and Generations X-Z The Humanity Launch will give your business a competitive advantage. Don’t get caught in the cliché of “That generation doesn’t know, understand or get it….” Celebrate the differences and learn to create a Generation Yes!
CREATIVE, EASY, AND INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR PROFESSION BOOM
Whether you're president of a company, a teacher of years, the new nurse on the floor, or a small business owner, tokens of appreciation can make a significant difference in your personal and professional success. There are hundreds of ideas and opportunities to boost your business and morale. It can also win you more work from existing clients. These empirical ideas work on all levels of management and educational settings.
PLUG IN YOUR GPS: GET GOING, PROCESS, AND SERVE
From one’s smart phone to auto’s dashboard, we have technology to point us in the right direction. Where is the app one can download for your life’s journey? Finding your personal and professional compass may be as easy as just putting one step in from of the other even when the path seemingly is filled with bumps, curves, and potholes. It may mean outstretching your hands for balance, guidance, and service. This presentation/workshop is a basic map that can point one back to their purpose and passions and purpose through a balance of serving others and self.
KEEP THE LIGHT SHINING - BEAT THE BURN-OUT BLUES
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” – Winston Churchill The attitude climate of your school, organization or business should be the number one priority for overall success. Plugging into a circuit of affirmation and trust will create an energy that will become a beacon that others will follow. The difference between an obstacle and an opportunity is simply attitude. Learning to flip the switch from burnout to burning bright is simple.
THE SUM OF THE PARTS - THE POWER OF THE WHOLE
It is true that one cannot be all things to all people. The power and truth in Synergy never goes out of style. The Greeks may have coined the word, but it is today’s world that struggles to embrace its proven success. The recognition and interaction of multiple skills, knowledge, connections, experience and passions produce an impact different from or greater than the sum of their individual effects. Synergy is not only the answer to positive growth, it is preventive medicine for personal and profession “burnout.”
CELEBRATING YOUR INNER SUPER HERO
Being able to leap tall buildings in a single bound is overrated. The real secret to being an everyday hero is the ability to recognize one’s innate skills and plug them into a working community. So, don that listening cape, jump into your leadership leotard and save yourself and your working community.
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS IN A BIG WORLD
The phrase, “It’s the little things that build up to big problems” can easily be replaced with, “It’s the little things that can make a big difference.” It doesn’t take a lot of money or time to make a daily difference in one’s life. Create your Dream Job every day. With practical ideas to move your profession in a positive direction, you will make a difference in your place of employment, your home and your community.
COMMUNICATION BODY SHOP
From verbal baggage to non-verbal energy, it is important to recognize how we run as a communication vehicle. We are not the same people we were when we took our last speech course. We have more miles on the odometer. We have more junk in the trunk. We travel in larger circles. It is always the right time to tune up one’s communication engine, look under the hood and make adjustments to make one’s professional and personal journey a smooth ride.
IGniting Students - Student Opportunities
INTERACTIVE LIFTOFF
(Half Day)
INTERACTIVE LIFT OFF is an interactive “assembly” perfect for an entire building (middle school or high school) or for an entire grade. The goals are established by the school staff prior to the retreat with input from student leaders. Through music, games and a personalized message, a foundation of positive community and school culture is built. Themes in the past have included initiative and effort, caring and compassion, and passion and perseverance while addressing bullying (including cyber bullying), effective communication, cancel culture, and school pride.
MISSION CONTROL RETREAT
(Full/Half Day)
The MISSION CONTROL RETREAT includes students and staff in a meaningful discussion of the goals and visions of their school. During the first portion of the retreat, students and staff meet separately to cover common material. The second portion of the retreat combines the two groups to create common ground and language that can be of long-term benefit to the school.
LAUNCH PAD RETREAT
(Full Day)
Transitions can be hard. The LAUNCH PAD RETREAT helps students make the transition from elementary to middle school or from middle school to high school. This positive first experience will launch their school year to successful heights. Upperclassmen students that volunteer (8th graders and seniors) will gain valuable leadership experience that will benefit the student and - ultimately - the school throughout the school year and beyond. For optimum impact, schedule the LAUNCH PAD RETREAT a week or two after a COMMAND MODULE RETREAT.
FINAL COUNTDOWN RETREAT
(Full Day)
The audience for this retreat is the senior class. The FINAL COUNTDOWN RETREAT is a healthy and powerful day of reflecting on the past while preparing for the future. This day empowers seniors to celebrate their journey while connecting with their classmates, reflecting on legacy and preparing for the next adventure through fun and interactive activities.
COMMAND MODULE
(Half Day)
Successful schools are noted for the voice and choice they give to their students. The COMMAND MODULE RETREAT develops leadership skills in students. This retreat is perfect for groups like student councils, peer helpers but can also be open to an entire class or activities such as FFA, marching band, casts and teams. This is the ideal way of setting the course for the new school year.
About Us
THE HUMANITY LAUNCH combines the professional experience of two long-time educators, who collectively have more than 70 years in education. What is unmeasurable is their commitment and passion for the field of education.
Gregg Talcott
Dr. Gregg Talcott followed in his father’s footsteps as an educator and has 37 years of experience as a teacher, coach and administrator in South Dakota schools.
Dr. Talcott has multiple degrees from Northern State University and the University of South Dakota. From 2000-2019 Dr. Talcott was the lead principal at Brandon Valley High School. BVHS students and staff are noted for their excellence in and out of the classroom. The school is consistently the top performing academic public high school in the ‘AA’ class in the state. Their fine art and athletic programs are considered some of the finest in South Dakota. The student-centered culture is considered to be the key ingredient to the formula that continues to lead the high school on their path to excellence.
Dr. Talcott has a passion for students and their education and places a high value on the servant role that all adults in the building play in creating a great school culture. Gregg and his wife Kami, a pre-school educator, are proud parents of two amazing sons, Jack and Evan.
Kim Bartling
Kim Bartling's professional career spans 34 years, the public and private sector, primary, secondary and higher education, and two countries.
Kim chaired the Speech Communication and Theatre Department at the University of Sioux Falls for 14 years and has directed over 115 productions from South Dakota to New York City. Kim owns Ephemeral Productions, a theatre company dedicated to social change and women empowerment. She also owns Plains Speaking People, a storytelling company with a Midwest connection - plainsspeakingpeople.com
Kim has developed a unique world view on how to creatively ignite a dynamic classroom culture. She currently teaches critical thinking and classroom management to teachers in Belize, Central America. As an artist-in-residence in South Dakota, she leads programming in creative writing and spoken word performance. Bartling focuses on the work of Dr. Brene Brown and “Daring to Lead,” which explores the need for courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy in professional and personal leadership.
This Garretson, South Dakota native, is inspired by her two sons; Teake and Tyler, who with wife, Katie, are the parents to Kim's creative partner in crime - grand-daughter, Eva. Kim is also extremely proud of her Belizean children Brittany, Rodell, and grandson, RJ.
Sieffstyle Entertainment
Bringing a whole new level of energy to engage their audience, Sieffstyle Entertainment has been voted the Local Best by the Sioux Falls community.
Over the past several years, Sieffstyle Entertainment has worked extremely hard building the best team to offer Sioux Falls and the Surrounding area a great event experience. After hundreds of interviews, we were able to find the best DJ’s & Entertainment Consultants, Sioux Falls has to offer.
“Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.”