March 4, 2011

To Minnesota’s Nonprofit Community:

Welcome!

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits welcomes you to the “Minnesota Speaks Up!” cam-paign. From early March to mid May Minnesota’s nonprofit community will be “Speaking Up” with legislators throughout the state—informing elected officials about the mission and work of their organizations and their critical role in enhancing the lives of Minnesotans. For decades, nonprofit organizations have been highly engaged in the public dialogue and well known for “Speaking Up.” Today, we invite you to join your nonprofit colleagues throughout the state in an organized effort to “Speak Up” together! Will you “Speak Up?”

Why now?

Minnesota’s unprecedented state budget deficit is the focus of legislators throughout the state. As budget proposals are debated this legislative session there will likely be discussions

about cuts to a variety of priority areas for nonprofits—human services, the arts, youth programs, mental health, legal assistance, environmental protection and many others. We know that state legislators have tough decisions to make and we understand that funding to some areas that are important to nonprofits may be reduced. We want to help state legislators be knowledgeable about the work of nonprofits in their communities and have the information they need to make in-formed budget decisions. If legislators are going to be informed, nonprofits need to “Speak Up.” Will you “Speak Up?”

What you can do

The “Minnesota Speaks Up!” campaign will give legislators throughout the state the opportunity to meet with nonprofits in their district. We ask you to invite your state Senator and House Representative to visit your nonprofit, in their district—tell them about your organization, share stories of your success, tell the stories of how

the community is improved by your organization’s work, educate them about your partner-ship with government, philanthropy, local business and other nonprofits in the community. And get to know them—what they care about, what nonprofit organizations they support as volunteers or board members, what they know about the needs in their community. If non-profits “Speak Up,” legislators will have the essential information needed to make informed decisions that are appropriate for their communities. Will you “Speak Up?”

The “Minnesota Speaks Up” campaign is designed for you!

The “Minnesota Speaks Up” campaign is designed to help you speak up by meeting with your state legislators in your community. In this booklet we provide tips, tools, samples, links to webinars, staff you can contact for assistance, and detailed information

We ask you to invite your state Senator and House Representative to visit your nonprofit, in their district—tell them about your organization, share stories of your success . . .

about your state legislators—the House and Senate members who represent the district of your nonprofit organization. We have organized this effort to help you, Minnesota’s nonprofit organizations, to “Speak Up” during this critical time. We will be following up with many of you over the next 8 weeks to ensure that legislators throughout the state are hearing from nonprofit organizations in their districts. We look forward to working with you!

Will you join us in “Speaking Up?” Please review the enclosed materials and make a commitment to invite your legislator to your office to learn about your nonprofit orga-nization and its role in their community. Tell us that you have made the commit-ment by mailing the enclosed self-address postcard to MCN—we will support you throughout the process. Please join the statewide movement of nonprofit organizations “Speaking Up” today!

Many thanks, in advance, for “Speaking Up!”

From the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

PS: Do you want to “Speak Up” in another way? Consider writing to your legislator, com-ing to the State Capitol or writing a letter to the editor. Check out www.mncn.org/speak-up for ideas and tips!

We can’t wait to get your postcard!

Name, Childcare WORKS

Minnesotanonprofitsspeak up!