The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is launching a campaign called "Minnesota Speaks Up" to encourage nonprofits to educate state legislators about their organizations and the impact of their work. With the state facing a large budget deficit, funding for many nonprofit services may be reduced. The campaign provides nonprofits with tools and tips for inviting their state representatives and senators to visit their organizations to share stories and information. It aims to help legislators make informed budget decisions by understanding the role of nonprofits in their communities. Nonprofits are asked to commit to the campaign by mailing back a postcard and speaking with their legislators between early March and mid-May.

1. Minnesota
nonprofits
speak up!
What stories will you tell?
Scott Beaty and Rachel Ayoub
MN Youth Intervention Programs Association

2. 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
We ask you to many others. We know that state legislators have tough decisions to make and we
invite your state understand that funding to some areas that are important to nonprofits may be
Senator and House reduced. We want to help state legislators be knowledgeable about the work of
Representative to nonprofits in their communities and have the information they need to make in-
visit your nonprofit, formed budget decisions. If legislators are going to be informed, nonprofits need
in their district—tell to “Speak Up.” Will you “Speak Up?”
them about your What you can do
organization, share
stories of your 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
success . . .
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 Minnesota. 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

3. Alicia Frosch, Child Care WORKS
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- We ca
n
get y ’t wait to
nization and its role in their community. Tell us that you have made the commit- our p
ostca
ment by mailing the enclosed postcard to MCN—we will support you throughout rd!
the process. Please join the statewide movement of nonprofit organizations
“Speaking Up” today!
Many thanks, in advance, for “Speaking Up!”
Minnesota
From the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
nonprofits
PS: Do you want to “Speak Up” in another way? Consider writing to your legislator, com-
speak up!
ing to the State Capitol or writing a letter to the editor. Check out www.mncn.org/speak-
up for ideas and tips!

4. Your Elected Officials
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (2314 University Ave W, St. Paul) is located in House
District 26A and Senate District 26.
House District 26A is represented by Rep. Kory Senate District 26 is represented by Sen. Dick Day
Kath (D), whose contact information is: (R), whose contact information is:
357 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther 113 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul 55155-1206 King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul 55155-1206.
Email: rep.kory.kath@house.mn Email: sen.dick.day@senate.mn
Legislative Assistant: Kathy Anderson 651-296-3806 Home: Waseca
804 9th Avenue SE 56093
Committee assignments: (507) 382-8447
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Fi-
nance Business: Same
Education Reform Sterling - Krystel LLC
Veterans Services Division Business: (507) 382-8447
Home: Owatonna * 2070 Sunlight Ave., 55060; 507- Born: 01/05/1953.
451-0601 Family: Married, Spouse Kathy, 2
Occupation: High school economics/political sci- children.
ence teacher Occupation: Small business owner, marketing
Education: B.A., political science and secondary edu- - motivation consultant.
cation, Gustavus Adolphus College; M.S., educational Education: Brown Institute of Broadcasting.
leadership; Southwest Minnesota State University
Elected: special election 2010, re-elected 2010.
Born: 7/28/77
Term: 2nd.
Elected: 2008
Special Legislative Concerns: Business, job growth,
Term: 2nd education.
Family: Married, spouse Melissa, 2 children Committees: State Government
Innovation and Veterans, chair.
Note: if this is no longer your organization’s
address, please contact MCN staff to locate
your legislators (see final page for staff contact
information).

5. Setting Up Your Meeting
The legislative session is framed by the adjournment date of Monday, May 23. Meeting
early in the process is advised. Greater Minnesota legislators are often in St. Paul mid-
week; Monday mornings, Fridays, and weekends may work best for them. Metro area
legislators could be invited any day that works for your organization.
Fridays may work well as the legislature typically does not meet that day. Also, your
legislator will most likely be in district during the holiday recess between Tuesday, April
19 and Monday, April 25.
Call your legislator’s staff with a few dates in mind to schedule the meeting, and follow
up with an official invitation letter (see www.mncn.org/speak-up for a sample). If your
meeting request is turned down due to scheduling issues or for other reasons, please call
us (see final page for MCN staff contact information) and we can help you think about
other approaches to getting time with your legislator.
Before the meeting
• Agree on who should attend. Choose between 4-6 people from leadership, board,
staff, or program participants who are willing to be spokespersons at the meeting.
• Collaborate with other nonprofits. Consider scheduling the meeting in tandem with
other nonprofits in your community. MCN can help identify potential partners.
• Learn more about your legislator. It’s important to know your legislator’s back-
ground, legislative interests, committee assignments and any leadership positions
they hold (see facing page).
• Create meeting materials and agenda (see following page).
During the meeting
• Don’t be nervous: you are the expert on your organization and community! You have
valuable information that your legislator needs in order to make informed decisions
for Minnesota.
• Can’t answer a question—get back to them. If you don’t know, don’t bluff—tell the
legislator you will follow-up after the meeting.
• Give the legislator a chance to tell you about himself/herself. Ask questions to un-
derstand what motivates them and what they care about most.
• Avoid complaining, overstating the case, or burning bridges! Rather than personal-
izing differences of opinion, keep a focus on telling your story.
After the meeting
• Immediately send a handwritten thank you note. Be sure to let them know that your
organization is always there as a resource to legislators on your issues.
• Let MCN know how the meeting went and what happened!
Report back to us at: www.mncn.org/speak-up

6. Tips for Telling your Story
It takes some planning to create a polished, com-
pelling story. Come prepared and use notes to
help you remember key facts and points. There are
several elements to consider when crafting an ef-
fective and personal story:
• Begin with what you think will most gain their
attention and support.
• Explain what your organization does and who
you serve.
• Explain and, if possible, quantify the benefit of
your work for the community.
» For example, “The average cost to treat a
youth in the Youth Intervention Program is
$205 compared to $40,200 a year to hold a
youth in a juvenile correctional facility.”
• Be prepared to identify the sources of your op-
erating budget including government funding
at the federal, state and county levels.
• Explain how state investments make a dif-
ference in the lives of people and communi-
ties. Similar to how you offer examples of the
benefits of your work for private funders, make
the connection to how public funds are critical
to your work and in the lives of those you serve Adaobi Okolue, The Works
or represent.
• Make it personal. Whether you use your per- Sample agenda
sonal story or a compelling example of some-
• Welcome and introductions
one your organization serves, pick an example
• Summary of your organization
that stands out in your mind and that you think
» Mission, history and who you serve
illustrates the impact of cuts or the need for
adequate state funding. • Share your impact statement
» What needs or problems in the community to you
• Be ready with an ask. You’ve made your case. address?
Now, what commitments will your representa- » How do you solve those problems?
tive make to be a good partner in the shared » What resources are needed to do your work?
work of strengthening your community?
» What else in the community makes your work possible?
• Government? Other nonprofits? Philanthropy? Local
businesses?
» How do state government decisions impact your orga-
nization?
• Site tour (if applicable)
• Hear from your legislator: what are his or her priorities? How
will they be allies in your shared work of strengthening your
community?

7. Need assistance?
Online: Additional resources and information at
http://www.mncn.org/speak-up
Call us anytime:
Susie Brown, Public Policy Director, 651-757-3060, sbrown@mncn.org
Jeannie Fox, Deputy Public Policy Director, 651-757-3083, jeannie@mncn.org
Jeff Narabrook, Public Policy Associate, 651-757-3062, jeff@mncn.org
Join a webinar:
Ready to “Speak Up?”
Join us to learn how nonprofits can effectively reach
their elected officials
Elected officials depend on constituents to understand commu-
nity needs and identify solutions. The ‘MN Speaks Up’ campaign
assists nonprofits in communicating with elected officials about
the value and nature of the services they provide. In this webinar,
learn more about how to plan and execute an educational meet-
ing with your elected official and get any questions answered
you may have about strategy and preparation.
March 11 12-1 PM
March 25 12-1 PM
April 8 12-1 PM
April 22 12-1 PM
RSVP to get login information online at
http://www.mncn.org/speak-up
Larson Communications Design
photos and design: Jennifer
Don’t forget to mail the enclosed postcard!
Thank you for “Speaking Up.”

8. Minnesota
Civic Engagement and nonprofits
Public Policy speak up!
Nonprofit organizations play a central role in the demo-
cratic process by providing a means for individuals to
deliberate on public policies and decisions that affect
2314 University Ave W.
them. To the extent possible, nonprofit organizations #20
St. Paul, MN 55114
should engage in public policy and advocacy activities
as a means to fulfilling their missions and promoting
community interests. Open communication and con-
sultation between policy makers and nonprofit orga-
nizations contribute to well-informed policies and the
effective implementation of them.*
Christian Novak,
*Adapted from Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ Northern Clay Center
“Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence” For
more information on nonprofit advocacy and lobbying,
please visit http://www.mncn.org/info_public.htm