The program will be produced as a unique conversation-style debate, moderated by Rick Kupchella, where Minnesotans can participate in an interactive question and answer session through BringMeTheNews’ social networks by using the event hashtag #debateMN.

Event Details:
Candidate Conversation
September 15, 7:00 p.m.
Pantages Theater
Tickets: FREE, but space is limited.

To register for tickets, please visit http://candidateconversation.eventbrite.com/ by September 7 to reserve your spot.

All event proceeds will benefit The Smile Network International, an organization that funds surgical missions and provides necessary supplies needed to repair birth defects.  The surgeries are free of charge and are available to children who would otherwise go untreated.

LEAD’s goal for The Boom Benefit is to raise enough funds to improve the lives of eight children in need.

Event Details:
The BOOM Benefit
July 24th, 8:30 – Midnight
The Carlyle
Ticket Price $30 – SOLD OUT

SPONSORS

Thank you to our generous event sponsors:

Dale Kivimki and Freestyle Productions

Parrel Caplan

Youth Venture Advisory Council

Youth Venture is based on the simple understanding and core insight that unless an individual is powerful as a young person, they are highly unlikely to be powerful as adults.  To be powerful – in fact, to be a full citizen in a world characterized increasingly by change – one must be a changemaker.  Youth Venture Minnesota works to improve the lives of local youth by supporting them as they launch social ventures to improve their communities and by connecting them with our global movement of like-minded young people. 

The minimum time commitment is roughly 3-4 hours each month and is inclusive of time spent outside meetings.

Individual Council Member Responsibilities

• Attend all Council and relevant task force meetings for your focus area.
• Be informed about the organization’s mission, services, policies, and programs.
• Review agenda and supporting materials prior to meetings.
• Serve on one Task Force and take on special assignments.
• Make a personal financial contribution to the organization.
• Follow conflict of interest and confidentiality policies.
• Keep up-to-date on developments in the organization’s field and the potential for funding.
• Suggest possible volunteers and nominees to the Council who can make significant contributions to the work of the Council and the organization.

Members Focused on Business Community/ Outreach

-          Inform their business community contacts about the organization.

-          Assist in evaluating campaign and Summit sponsorship opportunities.

Members Focused on Development/ Foundation

-          Inform their foundation contacts about the organization.

-          Assist in setting up meetings with potential funding organizations via professional contacts.

Members Focused on Education/ Citizen Sector Organizations

-          Connections to the primary communities they serve with a focus on Somali, Latino and Hmong youth.

-          Assist in analyzing and prioritizing partnership opportunities.

Members Focused on Media Relations

-          Inform media outlets about the work of Youth Venture Minnesota and the stories of Venture Teams.

-          Assist in cultivating relationships with media mavens on social entrepreneurship and change making.

For more information on Youth Venture positions, email Spectra at smyers@youthventure.org.

WomenVenture is a leader in providing the tools and support to help you start and grow your business, find a new job, or develop a new career path. Today’s woman has many career and business opportunities in an ever changing marketplace. With this vast array of options comes the struggle to make the right choice, sort through all the information and understand all the options. WomenVenture is committed to helping you focus your energy, systematically plan, identify resources, and carry out your goals in a setting that is nurturing and supportive.

WomenVenture serves women – and men – of all economic and ethnic backgrounds. In its three decade history, more than 90,000 women and men have been served. 

Finance Committee

-          Determines scope of audit and recommends independent accountants.

-          Evaluates and approves audit.

-          Evaluates organization’s ability to manage fiscal and accounting functions.

-          Works with Resource Development Committee to set adequate funding goals.

-          Reviews financial statements.

-          Develops investment policies.

-          Sets/reviews standards for allocation of funds to management and fundraising.

-          Reviews/recommends annual budget for agency.

-          Assures reports meet board’s needs for financial information

-          Reviews cash flow.

-          Membership: treasurer and other directors; meets minimum of 3 times per year. 

Business Finance Advisory Committee (Ad Hoc) 

-          Reviews the lending requests of WomenVenture’s Business Development clients.

-          Votes to approve or disapprove those lending decisions, as well as providing advice that will aide the consultant and/or the client’s business.

-          Review performance of loan portfolio to ensure that we are adequately reserving for potential loan losses.

-          Advise Business Development staff regarding issues of business finance and policies and procedures for WomenVenture’s loan program.

-          Other business finance related help, as needed. 

 Resource Development Committee

-          Reviews/recommends development plan that provides adequate resources to realize goals of agency.

-          Reviews progress toward annual fundraising goals; educates board in fundraising responsibilities.

-          Communicates with board regarding fundraising activities requiring involvement of board and other volunteers.

-          Conducts board giving campaign.

-          Establishes sub-committees for annual giving campaign and special fundraising projects as required.

-          Assures accuracy of fundraising materials (membership–directors and others, meetings-schedule set during annual planning process).

 Marketing/Events Committee

-          Provide advice, resources and expertise to augment WomenVenture’s marketing staff. 

-          Direct WomenVenture’s involvement in the annual fundraising events, including decisions on financial goals, partners, board and staff participation, programs, speakers, outreach, and other necessary and appropriate areas.

Conference Sub Committee 

-          Directs the activities surrounding the annual conference, held each fall at the Minneapolis Convention Center. 

-          Support sponsorships, ticket and table sales, programming, marketing and the resource center, public relations and general logistics for this day-long event and fundraiser- the need for this committee will be defined.

Human Resources Committee

-          Reviews and recommends compensation, benefits, staff hiring, staff development, staff termination, and employee relations practices for WomenVenture.

-          With the Chair of the Board, sets performance expectations and compensation structure for President. Chair of the Personnel Committee and Chair of the Board conduct the annual Performance Evaluation of the President.

Program Commitee

-          Reviews the ROI on the established programs.

-          Assures a process is in place for assessing the effectiveness of new programs. 

-          Assures that programs are reviewed at least annually to determine their relevance to client needs. 

-          Provides an “external” perspective to aid in program selection and evaluation.

Skills based opportunities

Market Evaluation

-          Do a market study of WomenVenture’s programs and services to evaluate pricing and competition and identify potential new markets. 

WomenVenture provides classes and services in three program areas:

• Career and Work Services, to help clients find work or develop a meaningful career. Our services include career consulting, life coaching, individualized assessments, classes and a career support group
• Microenterprise Development, to help clients establish or grow a small business. We provide clients with one-on-one consulting, access to capital, and a variety of classes and workshops.
• Financial Literacy, to help clients manage personal finances. We provide tools to help repair credit, build assets, create a livable budget and save for the future.

Website Evaluation

-          Evaluate how programs, services, volunteer opportunities are presented on the site.

-          Provide recommendations on content and function to create the best possible user experience. 

The WomenVenture website is a primary access point for clients, donors and the general public. The site has not had a significant update in several years.

SharePoint Implementation

-          Design recommendations

-          Create a project plan and timeline

-          Oversee the implementation of the launch

-          Deadline for completion:  Fall 2010

WomenVenture plans to implement a MicroSoft SharePoint intranet to streamline dissemination of agency documents, events, communications, etc.

Connect for Success

-          Volunteers who are willing to be interviewed, to share their experiences and perspectives about working in the career of interest to the WomenVenture client.

-          Volunteers may do this one time, or may agree to be available on an ongoing basis for interviews, at their discretion.

 WomenVenture works with clients who are exploring new careers. In our Connect for Success program, career consultants help clients focus on an area of investigation and trains them on informational interview techniques. Then, WomenVenture connects each client with three people to interview.

 For more information on WomenVenture positions, email Mary Kelly at MKelly@womenventure.org.

Women’s Advocates is a safe place where battered women and their children can escape domestic violence.  In addition to providing shelter, Women’s Advocates provides advocacy, personalized support (including mental health therapy and aftercare services), education, and resources for nearly 1,000 women and children every year.  The first shelter in the nation for battered women and their children, Women’s Advocates opened its doors in 1974.  Women’s Advocates welcomes women and children of all backgrounds and cultures.

Women’s Advocate’s board of directors meets approximately 10 times per year, the 4^th Wednesday of the month from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  The executive committee is made up of the three board officers and usually meets a week prior to the board meeting.

Board of Directors Requirements

• Attend all board and committee meetings and functions, such as special events.
• Be informed about the organization’s mission, services, policies, and programs.
• Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.
• Serve on committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments.
• Make a personal financial contribution to the organization.
• Inform others about the organization.
• Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization
• Keep up-to-date on developments in the organization’s field.
• Follow conflict of interest and confidentiality policies.
• Refrain from making special requests of the staff.
• Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s annual financial statements.
• Willing to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions, take responsibility and follow through on a given assignment, contribute personal and financial resources in a generous way according to circumstances, open doors in the community and expand contacts where possible.
• Develop certain skills if you do not already possess them, such as to: cultivate and solicit funds, cultivate and recruit board members and other volunteers, read and understand financial statements, learn more about the substantive program area of the organization.

For more information on Women’s Advocates’ Positions, email Elizabeth at esaevig@wadvocates.org.

 

Bolder Options is an activity-based, one-to-one youth mentoring program.  Bolder Options use running & biking, academic goal setting, and volunteerism to build self-esteem and encourage healthy habits in 10-14 year old youth.  The mission of Bolder Options is to teach youth to succeed in ALL of life’s races.

Board Member Responsibilities

• Serve a two-year term. Advisory Board members serve a one-year term.
• Be leaders and ambassadors for Bolder Options, opening doors to mentors, financial support, and promotion through their networks.
• Participate in events and to make Bolder Options their giving priority while they serve out their term.
• Have a hand in strategic planning and an opportunity to serve on specific committees matching their area of interest/expertise: development, finance, recruitment, program. 

Board of Directors/Advisory Board

Board of Directors and Advisory Board prospects are invited to learn more about Bolder Options starting in August of each year, through a series of interviews and information meetings. Voting for new members is done at the October Meeting in anticipation of new members beginning their term in January of the New Year.

For more information on Bolder Option positions, email info@bolderoptions.org.

Smile Network International Advisory Committee

Smile Network International is a global, nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides life-altering, reconstructive surgeries and related healthcare services to impoverished children and young adults in developing countries.

Advisory Committee Requirements

• Meet a minimum of four times a year
• Serve a 2 year term

Advisory Committee (3-10 positions needed)

-          Purpose annual objectives in writing before the first board meeting of the calendar year

• Must include proposed methods for measuring attainment of each objective

-          Advisory Committee Chair to report each committee meeting in writing to Chairman of Board of Executive Director for distribution as needed.

-          Advisory Committee Chair to draft agenda for each committee meeting

For questions about Advisory positions, email Gina@SmileNetwork.org.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Volunteer Committee Positions

The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.  Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal.  Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump – each day, every day of their lives.  And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation

Outreach Committee

The outreach committee is charged with getting the word out about JDRF to families and individuals directly affected by the illness and implementing more intimate/targeted communication with those whose lives are directly touched by diabetes (the new member packet, the monthly e-newsletter, etc.) 

Responsibilities 

-          Attend committee or working group meetings (approximately 4 per year) and take on assigments from one of the subcommittees or working groups (an average of 3 hours per month).

-          Reach people with type 1 diabetes and those who care about them with a hopeful message about diabetes with the intention of getting them engaged with JDRF and efforts to find a cure.

Public Relations Committee

The PR committee raises awareness in the Minnesota, North and South Dakota communities about diabetes and JDRF and to increase JDRF’s brand equity by working to present it to the public as a market leader in the field of diabetes research and a market leader among charitable causes

Responsibilities

-          Attend committee or working group meetings (approximately 4 per year) and take on assigments from one of the subcommittees or working groups (an average of 2-3 hours per month).  

-          Execute marketing and public relations tactics that will make the greater public (some of whom will be people directly affected by diabetes) aware of diabetes and JDRF. 

-          Work on broad communications tactics like the Newsletter, the Web site and the Speakers’ Bureau.

Corporate Development Committee

The main purpose of the corporate development committee is to increase support of JDRF by the corporate community.

Responsibilities

-          Participate in monthly Corporate Council conference calls, lasting approximately one hour.  Spend about 2 hours per month in prospecting, door opening, solicitation or stewardship.  

-          Assist in prospecting for new corporate partners for all JDRF events and activities

-          Introduce JDRF to corporate contacts

-          Assist with corporate solicitation

-          Help maintain corporate support through stewardship activities

Major Donor Committee

The major donor committee increases the number of individual or foundation donors who make major contributions to the chapter (defined as a gift of $10,000 or more given outright or pledged over 5 years) to any chapter program (Walk, Gala, major gifts, golf, etc.) and to increase the number of individuals who make a planned gift to JDRF.

Responsibilities

-          Participate in monthly Major Donor Committee meetings (can be done by phone conference), lasting approximately 90 minutes.  Spend on average about 2-4 hours per month in prospecting, door opening, solicitation or stewardship. 

-          Identify and recruit volunteers to assist in the implementation of the plans objectives and tasks including prospecting, stewardship & cultivation and solicitiation

Government Relations Committee

The primary role of the government relations committee is to increase the number of advocates in Minnesota and North Dakota and the number of calls to legislators supporting the JDRF government relations and research agenda.

Responsibilities

-          Participate in monthly Government Relations Committee meetingslasting approximately 90 minutes (can be done by conference call).  Spend about 1-2 hours per month on government relations activities such as contacting or meeting with legislators, signing up new advocates or communicating with the grassroots advocacy team.

-          Create a government relations agenda which includes targeting the following issues:

• Secure renewal of special type 1 funding program
• Accelerate availability of artificial pancreas
• Expand embryonic stem cell research policy
• Increase funding for DoD glucose sensing program

For more information on JDRF’s positions, contact Patty Johnson at pjohnson@jdrf.org.

Give Us Wings works together with adults and children in Kenya and Uganda to eradicate poverty. Through person-to-person support, both financial and educational, people overcome poverty and become self-sufficient. 

Board Member Responsibilities/Expectations

• Three year term, which may be renewed up to a maximum of three consecutive terms, pending approval of the board.
• Fundraising and outreach
• Promotion of the organization
• Organizational leadership and advisement
• Organization of the board of directors, officers, and committees
• Formulation and oversight of policies and procedures
• Financial management, including adoption and oversight of the annual budget
• Oversight of program planning and evaluation
• Personnel evaluation and staff development
• Review of organizational and programmatic reports

• Attend and participate in meetings on a regular basis, and special events as able.
• Participate on a standing committee of the board, and serve on ad-hoc committees as necessary.
• Be alert to community concerns that can be addressed by Give Us Wings mission, objectives, and programs.
• Help communicate and promote Give Us Wings mission and programs to the community.
• Become familiar with Give Us Wings finances, budget, and financial/resource needs.
• Understand the policies and procedures of Give Us Wings.
• Financially support Give Us Wings in a manner commensurate with one’s ability.

Give Us Wings Skills Based Volunteer – PR and Marketing

Responsibilties

• Marketing Give Us Wings to the general public to help build awareness and attract potential donors. This could include, but isn’t limited to:
  • Developing the existing social media presence for Give Us Wings on Facebook and Twitter
  • Soliciting media coverage(television, print, radio, internet) for Give Us Wings as an organization, our projects and activities, our many twin cities volunteers, upcoming events
  • Working with existing volunteers to develop an ongoing PR and Marketing strategy and overseeing its implementation
  • Marketing Give Us Wings’ two largest events, our Celebration and Silent Auction in the spring and our Walk for Water in the fall
  • Helping Give Us Wings build its reputation as an expert in the field of international development
  • Maintaining an ongoing awareness of international issues and how they relate to Give Us Wings work in East Africa to keep staff and volunteers informed

For more information on the opportunities, email Ryan Foss, Give Us Wings Executive Director: ryanjfoss@giveuswings.org

Finnegans Community Fund Director Level Volunteer Positions

Finnegans Irish Amber is the only beer company in the world that donates 100% of its profits back to the communities in which it is sold. Finnegans is now sold throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Since first being profitable in 2003, Finnegans has donated over $150,000 to the Finnegans Community Fund, which in turn has given grants to nonprofits across the Midwest to support life-changing programs for the working poor. We plan to roll out a new FINNEGANS product in 2011, and eventually have an entire line of FINNEGANS branded products–all of which would serve as the economic engine for the charitable goodness of the Finnegans Community Fund.

Director Qualifications/Responsibilities

• 1 year commitment
• Enthusiastic and solution oriented attitude
• Willing to follow the FINNEGANS Code of Conduct and brand standards while volunteering
• Professional and responsible work ethic
• Have fun while working hard with other FINNEGANS volunteers!

For more information on the positions and applying.  Go to: FinnegansVolunteer Opportunities.