National Figures Highlight Nonprofit Leadership Program Graduation

Minneapolis (06-02-05): -- The Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA) is pleased to announce that three nationally recognized figures will keynote graduation of the inaugural class of its LINC program. LINC—Leaders Impacting the Nonprofit Community, is designed to equip lawyers and other professionals for leadership positions in the not-for-profit community.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, and Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Carlson Companies, will highlight the celebration on June 15 at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. The graduation marks the culmination of a 6-month immersion into the principles and practicalities of serving as effective leaders for nonprofit boards of directors. HCBA president, Brent Routman, commented on the importance and success of this initiative: “LINC has been a remarkable experience for those persons selected to go through the program this year. The twenty-two lawyers and two nonlawyers are well-trained and ready to hit the ground running to add immediate value to nonprofit agencies. We anticipate an enduring partnership with the nonprofit community in continuing to develop energized, knowledgeable, and committed leaders who will make a difference.”

At the graduation dinner, celebrating the accomplishment of the twenty-four diverse participants, Walter Mondale will also be recognized with the first Lifetime Service Award bestowed by the LINC program. Mondale will be honored for his service to the local, national, and international communities.

LINC is designed to train leaders to serve in the not-for-profit community. Participants have participated in sessions focused on practical leadership including:

  Legal and financial issues pertaining to nonprofit organizations
  Parliamentary procedure and other meeting management skills
  The role of the government in nonprofit activity
  Fundraising fundamentals
  Building bridges among agencies
  Field placement in Minneapolis nonprofit organizations
  The individual and the group in organizational leadership
  An overview of the Minnesota nonprofit community including area demographics

LINC training was led by a distinguished 35-person faculty, including Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Ryback; Patricia Wilder, Director of the Center for Nonprofit Management; and Tony Woodcock, President of the Minnesota Orchestra; and the Prouty Project, along with other community and nonprofit organization leaders, government officials, judges, professional leadership trainers, and the media.

The public is invited to attend this special recognition event, beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15. Tickets are $75 for the dinner and program, and must be reserved in advance by contacting Joy Hamilton at (612) 752-6614.

The Hennepin County Bar Association is a professional society representing nearly 8,000 area attorneys with a wide variety of services for the community and the profession. The Association strives to ensure the fairness and accessibility of the legal system by promoting public understanding and confidence in our system of justice and by working through its members with the courts and community to improve the administration of justice.
 

# # # # #

Hcba:dds:050502