Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

“The organization's executive committee has the authority to act on behalf of the board between meetings if necesary and provides an update of actions to the board at the next meeting. No other committee of the organization has authority to act on behalf of the governing body.”

“It is the policy of the minnesota center for environmental advocacy (mcea) that mcea staff will generate all financial information for the external audit and 990 tax return. After staff review of the draft audit and 990 documents, the administration and finance committee of the board will meet with staff to review the draft documents for approval and recommendation to the board. The recommendation of the administration and finance committee will be presented to the full board for adoption. These actions will be completed before the first filing date of november 15 of reporting year. If the full board cannot meet and consider the recommendation prior to november 15, the executive committee may act on behalf of the board on the recommendation.”

“The board requires each director, officer and staff member to be advised of the conflict of interest policy, and provided a copy, immediately upon assuming duties or relationship at mcea. Each fall, the board members are provided with the necessary forms to update their status. Staff works with board members to have all forms completed and returned.”

“The following describes the process used by mcea to set compensation for its executive director. Mcea compensation includes salary and benefits. The benefits package includes paid time off (accrued at varying rates based on tenure) and a benefits payment that can be used to purchase health care, purchase other coverage, contribute to retirement or be used in another manner as determined by the employee. Every employee receives the same benefit package. The benefits payment is designed to cover at least the cost of individual health care insurance for the employee. The amount of the payment is reviewed annually and adjusted as coverage costs and budget allow. Mcea salary compensation for the executive director is determined based on the following factors: 1.current salary and tenure of incumbent (or previous incumbent if filling vacancy). 2.salary and tenure of comparable positions, including other organizations of like size and activity as reported on their 990. 3.a survey of the existing market based on similar job postings on the mn council of nonprofits website, local newspapers and job boards and national sources such as monster.com. 4.a published survey of reported salaries/compensation for executive director or other top positions. The primary source for this information in minnesota is the minnesota nonprofit salary and benefits survey published regularly by the mn council of nonprofits. 5. Mcea commissioned a compensation study in early 2019 conducted by smith pilot, a washington dc based group of compensation experts specializing in nonprofit salaries. This study was conducted with the goal of evaluating fairness of staff compensation for executive management, attorney compensation, program directors, technical specialists and support staff. Results of this study will be used as part of an annual review of mcea compensation for all staff. This information is evaluated by the board of directors executive committee, with action recommended by the committee submitted to the full board for final approval.”

“The organization's governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available to the public upon request. In addition, form 990 is published at www.guidestar.com.”

“Clean energy and climate change: this program focuses on overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Mcea advocates for state-level strategies at the legislature, agencies, and courts that maximize reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Mcea's strategy includes long-term development of modern and sustainable energy sources for minnesota and retirement of fossil fuel plants in order to reduce carbon pollution. To support this goal, mcea serves as legal counsel for several minnesota energy partners including clean grid alliance, fresh energy, and sierra club. Across all of its programs, mcea's long-standing reputation for excellence and effectiveness and its strategic advantage of smart, strategic in-house lawyers, policy experts, and communications savvy combine to ensure the greatest possible impact. Mcea's advocacy is driven by law and science, and its staff can deploy a variety of tactics to ensure the best possible outcome for minnesota's environment and the health of its people.”

“Water quality: mcea's water quality program focuses on protecting minnesota's greatest natural resource and economic asset: its water. Mcea supports strengthening statewide protections for drinking water, groundwater and lakes and rivers, including protection from agricultural pollutants such as phosphorus, nitrate, and bacteria. Mcea partners with localcommunities concerned about the impact of factory farms on their drinking water to provide legal support and representation, a powerful combination of local activism and legal prowess that has proven effective repeatedly. Mcea's work in the lake superior basin focuses on strengthening the great lakes compact to protect against inter-basin withdrawals, and working to put policies in place that protect against the spread of aquatic invasive species into lake superior. Mcea also acts as a watchdog to assure that clean water funds from the legacy amendment and lottery funds are targeted effectively.”

“Environmental justice: environmental harms fall more heavily on some communities that are historically and disproportionately affected by environmental impacts and pollution. In these areas, environmental laws are ignored or enforced in such a way to protect polluters, not the community. Mcea's advocacy focuses on seeking environmental justice for all. Mcea partners with communities across the state where pollution is concentrated and where legal representation and expertise will have the greatest impact. Mcea is proud to have dedicated and general funding to support environmental justice work and aims to integrate environmental justice principles into every aspect of its work. Ullu minnesota-centric climate communications - during the 2019-2020 fiscal year mcea maintained a fiscal sponsorship relationship with ullu to support development of their climate crisis education program. The goal of ullu is to meet average minnesotans where they are at - using principals of behavior design, marketing, cognitive psychology and decision making. Ullu built a digital platform to lead online conversations that promote healthy climate conversations and actions. This program used a combination of in- person events and digital events to identify and amplify community voices. A conversation guide was provided to help community members encourage each other to take their first active steps for the climate. Events included a 250 program launch with 250 people where a local soccer star spoke and a pre-pandemic earth-friendly dinner.”