Panel Speaking with Nonprofits and Government Class this Weekend

Marcia Avner and Jon Pratt teach a class every fall called Nonprofits and Government. The course focuses on these two sectors and the many ways in which they can and could related to one another. This weekend, they have put together a panel of speakers that will share insights from the city, county and state perspectives. The discussion will revolve around ways in which nonprofit/government interactions benefit the community and the role of nonprofits in shaping city, county and state policies and priorities.

Jeff Anderson's experience with partnerships between local government and area nonprofits will provide valuable insight into the discussion. Anderson was elected to an At Large Seat of the Duluth City Council in 2007. He became Vice-President of the Council in 2009 and President in 2010. He served as a Commissioner of the Duluth Economic Development Authority beginning in 2008 and was President of that body in 2009. Anderson has also been deeply involved in the Northland community. He served as a board member for the Second Harvest Food Bank from 2002-2010, was a founding board member of the North American Bear Center in Ely, MN, and was the Vice-President of the Duluth Housing Commission from 2002-2008.

Steve O'Neil will provide his perspective on how county government and nonprofits can work together. Steve O'Neil has been St. Louis County's District 2 Commissioner since January 2005. O'Neil is a longtime community organizer who has been active in issues relating to housing, poverty, and public health for over thirty years. He works on behalf of many community organizations, including the Dylan Committee, American Lung Association, and CHUM. He has taught at the University of Minnesota Duluth, the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Wisconsin Superior, and works as a trainer and consultant. He has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Finally, Sen. Becky Lourey will be disussing collaborative efforts between state government and nonprofits. Sen. Lourey served three terms in both the MN Senate (1996-2006)and House (1990-1996). Among her many accomplishments and passions, Lourey has been advocating for basic, affordable health care for all Minnesotans since the early 1980s. She co-chaired the Minnesota Public Health Association’s Public Affairs Committee and has been a longtime member of the Rural Health Advisory Committee. Lourey co-authored the MinnesotaCare package in 1992, as well as the Small Business Health Care Insurance Reform provisions. In 2005, Lourey received the Joan and Walter Mondale Award for Public Service.