Frequently Asked Questions
When, and why, was TakeAction Minnesota formed?
TakeAction Minnesota is a young organization with deep roots. In 2005, leaders committed to social, racial, and economic justice recognized they could not make the sort of change Minnesota needed without building a powerful statewide movement. As they surveyed the landscape, they saw that Minnesota already had many strong organizations with long-track records of success. Two of those organizations joined together to start TakeAction Minnesota: MAPA -- the Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action, one of the first statewide progressive coalitions in the country, founded by, among others, the late Senator Paul Wellstone, focused on issue advocacy and policy change. The other, Progressive Minnesota, was a grassroots group focused on community organizing and electoral politics.
How does TakeAction Minnesota choose its work?
Our issue and program work varies from year to year, and is created out of a shared vision for our future. Rather than a “top-down” model, our program work is developed in collaboration by TakeAction Minnesota staff, core team leaders, and Board members who share joint responsibility for advancing our vision of achieving racial, social, and economic justice.
How do I become an eligible voting member?
All members of TakeAction Minnesota, current with their annual membership dues, are eligible to vote. This includes voting to elect our Board of Directors, deciding what campaigns to endorse, and which issues to adopt. Past members whose dues have lapsed may renew their memberships the same day of a member vote. Brand new members to TakeAction Minnesota (who haven’t previously been a member), must join 2 weeks, or 14 days, prior to a membership vote in order to be considered eligible to vote.
How does TakeAction define the term “leader”?
TakeAction Minnesota believes developing new leadership is essential to making social change. A leader is any individual that organizes others to action on behalf of advancing our social, racial and economic justice work. A leader is someone who has built, and continues to build, a following of other individuals around themselves and who is responsible for creating and implementing our work. This includes leading core team meetings; planning, leading and speaking at issue-based events; developing program work strategies; conducting research visits; taking part in actions; recruiting others and holding them accountable to the commitments they make.