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Greetings. My name is Susie Brown and I am the public policy director at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
I am contacting you today, election day, with an important message about nonprofit advocacy in the year ahead.
Nonprofit organizations throughout the state play a critical role in shaping the community dialogue and engaging in democracy.
In addition to providing a rich array of services, we are uniquely positioned to inform the community
those we serve, our donors, members and other stakeholders, about important issues that affect our communities and the fabric of our society.
One year from today, election day 2012, Minnesota will face at least one, and possibly more, constitutional amendment questions on the ballot.
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits recognizes the opportunity, and the obligation,
to be active participants in these significant questions which will shape our future.
Proposals to change the constitution must be taken seriously, and the nonprofit sector has a unique opportunity to be involved. We hope you will join us.
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofit board has taken positions on several issues which will, or could be, before voters one year from today.
Among them, we have significant concern about three issues which MCN opposes.
We oppose the proposal to ban marriage among same-sex couples.
We oppose requiring photo identification as a new condition of voting.
And we, along with our Minnesota Budget Project, oppose new constraints on the legislature’s ability to raise revenues to balance budgets and meet the fiscal needs of Minnesota.
You can visit our website to learn more about our positions on these issues and others as they arise.
We hope that you, our members, also become involved in the issues that are important to you.
Nonprofit engagement in constitutional amendment advocacy is both perfectly legal, and involves regulatory and reporting requirements that are new to many nonprofits.
Today, MCN launches a year-long campaign to build the capacity of our members, and the sector at large,
to successfully and confidently engage in these issues, providing training, technical assistance and much more.
Please visit our website now, and often throughout the next year, for many resources designed to assist your participation in these issues.
Today you will find a description of our positions, as well as basic materials and a schedule of training opportunities for nonprofits.
Please check back often as we will continue to add resources throughout the year designed to help you, Minnesota’s nonprofits, be strong advocates for your community.
Now is not the time to be a bystander.
We hope you will join us in looking deeply into your organizations—your mission, values, role in the community and vision for the future.
We look forward to being a resource to you throughout this process.