Thanks for reading streets.mn. Over the last year, the board has made a series of changes to our process and procedures aimed at improving transparency and capacity of our volunteers, both on and off the board. The efforts are aimed at helping achieve our mission — expanding the conversation about transportation and land use in Minnesota — and in helping our existing writers and reaching new voices.
One part of this was a strategic planning session we had in December, where we identified some of the hopes, priorities, and challenges facing the organization. And a big step we’ve been working toward is expanding the capacity of the board, first through recruiting more volunteer help, and second through expanding the board itself.
So I’m delighted to announce that, as of our most recent board meeting this past Saturday, we have three new board members. They are:
Paula Pentel, who is the coordinator of the Urban Studies program at the University of Minnesota, and brings with her a rich experience as a former City Council member and Planning Commissioner in Golden Valley, as well as a board member at the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition.
Hannah Pritchard, a transportation engineer for Toole Design Group and a streets.mn author, who has served as a board member for WTS Minnesota, a processional group aimed at increasing the involvement of women in engineering and transportation professions.
And Dana DeMaster, a human services policy wonk, formerly a board member for the Bike Alliance of Minnesota and co-chair of the Saint Paul Bicycle Coalition, and a contributor at both streets.mn and Grease Rag, a local WTF-oriented bicycling group.
The board is thrilled to have these three join our team and together we hope to work toward making progress on achieving organizational goals over the next year. Thank you for reading, writing, and participating in the conversation. And thanks for supporting streets.mn!