As we close out 2024, we want to thank you for being a part of the Local Progress Minnesota community. We hope everyone reading this gets to take some space to rest, rejuvenate, and be with your people over the holidays. In the meantime, check out what Local Progress Minnesota has been up to below!
š¤ Twin Cities Regional Meetup
In December, Local Progress members and partners came together for our Twin Cities Regional Meetup! It was a festive space to be in community and build new connections across our network. We left feeling more connected to each other and inspired to continue this work together in the year ahead!Ā Ā
š Local Matters
As we continue to grieve, process, and respond to the outcome of the presidential election, one thing is clear: our incredible network of local elected officials is more important than ever.Ā Ā
The next four years will require a lot of us ā both in elected office, as you use your legislative power to protect your communities and advance equity; and mentally and emotionally, as people living through a hostile federal administration.
As we remind ourselves that the power of our democracy lies with us, we must continue our work to build a better future where everyone can thrive. ICYMI: A few weeks ago, Local Progress Impact Lab released a new toolkit for you to prepare to take action under a hostile federal government.Ā
Prepare to take action: Check out our toolkit for local elected officials on how to protect communities and fight for our democracy. The toolkit focuses on local action to protect immigrant communities, protect dissent and free speech, and defend gender justice and bodily autonomy.Ā
Earlier this year, we stepped up as LPMN Co-Chairs as our founding LPMN Co-Chairs, Mitra Jalali and Robyn Gulley completed their terms. We are so grateful to them for their leadership in launching our MN Chapter and continued partnership as members!Ā
This month, we are saying farewell to Jillia Pessenda, our founding Minnesota Chapter Manager, who has helped lead the work in Minnesota over the past four years.Ā
Jillia formed the Local Progress Minnesota State Chapter, established our leadership body and state infrastructure, and helped build and develop our national LP Womenās Caucus. We are so grateful for Jilliaās leadership to bring in and develop new LP members, deepen partnerships, and build coalitions. Jillia worked alongside our members and partners to advance winning campaigns across Minnesota and beyond, from holistic public safety, to housing policy, to Earned Sick and Safe Time and Paid Family and Medical Leave, to worker justice and more.Ā
We are wishing Jillia the best of luck in her next chapter! Weāll be sure to keep you posted as Jilliaās position is filled in the new year! In the meantime, if you need any support during this transition, please donāt hesitate to reach out to the Local Progress Help Desk for policy questions and/or support. You can also reach out directly to Francesca Menes, Managing Director, Membership & Organizing.
Just announced: our 2025 National Convening will be in Chicago, IL on July 10-12! Local Progressās annual National Convening is a space to exchange ideas, seek inspiration, and strategize together. Itās the place to feel seen in our struggles and affirmed in our resolve and resilience, and, most importantly, to find support and share joy ā especially in the darkest moments. Information on registration, financial aid, and logistics is forthcoming but, for now, save the date to join us!
š° ARPA Deadline is Fast Approaching!
Leaders across the Local Progress network seized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronaivrus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for recovery programs informed by the principles of advancing equity, reimagining public safety and advancing workerās rights. The deadline for local governments to obligate ARPA SLFRF funds is December 31, 2024. Remember, budgeting is not the same as obligating. For more information about what obligating means, check out this resource.Ā
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š§° Resources & Opportunities
In other news, check out our new policy memo: Unpacking the McKinney-Vento Act: Understanding Your School Districts’ Obligation to Students Experiencing Homelessness
This year, weāve hosted an incredible series of Policy & Strategy Primers, which are virtual learning sessions designed especially for new members and newly elected folks. Visit the site for upcoming trainings and in the meantime, browse through our resources library here.Ā
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š Join a LP Identity Caucus
In the past few years, Local Progress has launched three identity-based community spaces: the Black Caucus, the Womenās Caucus and the Nuestro Caucus. These spaces were created by and for LP members to gather and share their lived experiences in governing and leadership positions. Our caucuses will have several opportunities for you to engage in this year. Sign up to join an identity caucus here.Ā
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š PRIDE CaucusĀ
We have heard a clear and consistent call among Local Progressā LGBTQ+ members, including at the recent National Convening in Oakland, to create a formal space within the network to support and build with one another. Over the next several months, we want to hear directly from interested members on what you would like to see in the emerging Pride Caucus! During this formation stage, weāll be gathering input about what you want to bring to the Caucus, the specific challenges and barriers you face in elected office as a Queer person, and what tools, support systems and resources have helped you while in office. You can share your input in this survey.Ā
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āš½ Black CaucusĀ
The Local Progress Black Caucus is hosting a post-election call on January 29 at 4pm PT/7pm ET, where we will take time to talk about what this coming year will look like for all of us AND what tools we collectively have to take action and support one another. This call will be an opportunity to process questions or feelings you might be having going into 2025 in a safe space but will also ground us in the tools and systems of support that we have as part of this LP Black Caucus. Register here.Ā
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š» All Caucus Membership Call
We are also excited to announce that on February 12 at 3pm PT / 6pm ET, we are hosting our first All Caucus membership call. This will be a space to reflect on the lessons learned over the last 5 years of caucus development, preview our plan for restructuring caucus staffing support and to do some healing justice and renewal work together. Register here.Ā
š¤ Be part of our Partner Pipeline!
We are organizing a partners pipeline briefing to connect the existing movement pipeline to support the transition from candidate to elected as they step in these new roles to lead and govern. During this briefing, partners will:
- Learn about LP and the Impact Lab’s network and our strategic framework.
- Learn about the impact of LP and the Impact Labās work.Ā
- Gain an understanding of how they can support the movement pipeline from candidate to governance.
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We look forward to building with you in the New Year!
