Organizational Structure of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota was formed in 1981 as a grassroots organization led by a group of dedicated volunteers. Our mission-driven services continue to be governed and managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, committees, and task forces.

The Alliance is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors whose membership can range from 7 to 21 directors according to the Bylaws. To maximize the impact of our service delivery, and ensure efficient administration, much of the organization’s work is conducted by volunteer committees. Organizational committees meet on a consistent basis to manage a continuing Alliance program based on an annual work plan developed by the committees and staff. Task forces meet as needed to shepherd a specific initiative or program and dissolve upon the completion of the task. Descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of each committee and task force in the organization follows along with a chart showing the organizational structure.

Board of Directors
The Alliance is governed by a 7-21 member Board of Directors whose skills represent the governing needs for a successful preservation nonprofit organization. Board members represent the field of nonprofit management, finance, accounting, law, real estate, architecture, archaeology, advocacy, education, and development. The role of the Board of Directors is to govern the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. Its duties include developing organizational policy, providing fiduciary oversight, ensuring the organization is compliant with all legal requirements, engaging in short- and long-range planning to direct activities, and ensuring accountability for organizational management. The Board of Directors meets bimonthly.
Claire Stokes, Chair
Bonnie McDonald, Staff

Executive Committee
The Executive Committee acts on behalf of the full Board of Directors between regular board meetings. It is composed of Board officers and two appointed at-large members. The Executive Committee meets bimonthly in the months that the full board does not meet and reports their activities to the Board of Directors.
Claire Stokes, Chair
Bonnie McDonald, Staff

Board Development Committee
The Board Development Committee assumes the primary responsibility for the recruitment, nomination, orientation, continued training, and evaluation of board members. The Committee is comprised of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, one additional at-large board member, past board chairs, and other advisors who may not be sitting board members. The Board Development Committee meets as needed and reports to the Board of Directors.
Claire Stokes, Chair

Finance Committee
The Finance Committee oversees development of the budget and insures accurate tracking, monitoring, and accountability for funds. It ensures adequate financial controls and is chaired by the Treasurer. The Committee is comprised of the Chair, Treasurer, and one additional at-large board member. The Finance Committee meets as needed and reports to the Board of Directors.
MaDonna Stevermer, Chair

Human Resources Task Force
The Human Resources Task Force meets as needed to make recommendations on employee policy, address employee concerns, and complete the annual performance review of the Executive Director. The Task Force meets as needed and is comprised of the Chair and two additional board officers. The Task Force reports to the Board of Directors.
Claire Stokes, Chair

Minnesota Main Street Steering Committee
The Minnesota Main Street Steering Committee oversees the Minnesota Main Street Program of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. The Steering Committee has 15-18 members with seats being reserved for the Minnesota Main Street Advisory Committee Chair and the Chairs of each of the four Main Street Program Teams. The Steering Committee reports to the Board of Directors.
Tim Griffin, Interim Chair
Bonnie McDonald, Staff

Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee exists to influence public policy regarding historic preservation issues in Minnesota and the United States and to oversee the organization’s strategic advocacy response across the state on general or specific preservation issues. The Committee identified emerging policy issues that impact historic places and develops an advocacy response based on the tools needed to address the issue and our organizational capacity. It also reviews requests for the Alliance to enter into preservation litigation and makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Committee reports to the Board of Directors. Examples of the Advocacy Committee’s contribution to the organization include overseeing the Field Representative’s advocacy response, managing the state rehabilitation tax credit advocacy effort, and overseeing the Ten Most Endangered program.
John Stark, Chair
Erin Hanafin Berg, Staff

Tax Credit Task Force
The Tax Credit Task Force exists to coordinate the Alliance’s advocacy campaign to pass the Minnesota State Rehabilitation Tax Credit. The Task Force meets separately, as needed, and will dissolve upon the passage of the legislation until further action is needed. The Chair reports back to the Advocacy Committee.
Roger Brooks and David Kelliher, Co-Chairs
Bonnie McDonald, Staff

Ten Most Endangered Task Force
The Ten Most Endangered Task Force exists to coordinate the nomination, selection, and publicizing of the annual Ten Most Endangered Historic Places List. The Task Force reestablishes itself in the winter, meets separately from the Advocacy Committee, and dissolves upon the announcement of the annual List the first Thursday in May. The Chair reports back to the Advocacy Committee.
Lyssa Washington, Chair
Erin Hanafin Berg, Staff

Communications Committee
The Communications Committee exists to recommend policy on public communications for the Preservation Alliance and to disseminate information about the organization’s activities. An example of the Communications Committee’s work includes the publication of our bimonthly magazine, The Minnesota Preservationist, distribution of our monthly e-newsletter, managing our website, and the creation of publicity pieces for the Ten Most Endangered Historic Places and Minnesota Preservation Awards programs.
Sarah Voigt, Chair
Kelli Andre, Staff

Education Task Force
The Alliance has elected to create a new task force in 2009 for the purpose of organizing educational opportunities like conferences and symposia. In 2009, the Education Task Force will organize a symposium focused on historic preservation as sustainable design.

Easements Committee
The Easement Committee exists to oversee and expand the easement program of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. More on the Alliance’s easements program is available on our Resources page.
Rolf Anderson and Tom Schroeder, Co-Chairs
Erin Hanafin Berg, Staff

Resource Development Committee
The Resource Development Committee exists to identify and solicit funds to provide for the Alliance’s operations according to the fundraising plan developed by the Committee. Fund development includes membership, individual giving, grants, and corporate sponsorships.
JeriLynn Young, Chair
Bonnie McDonald, Staff

Special Events Committee
The Special Events Committee exists to initiate and coordinate the Alliance’s special events and programs. In 2008, the Special Events Committee organized events including the Foshay Soiree, the Prairie Living Historic Home Tour, the Minnesota Preservation Awards, and our participation in the statewide historic preservation conference.
Melissa Ekman, Chair
Bonnie McDonald, Staff