Raise Your Hand
Get Involved
MinnSPRA is powered by passionate professionals like you—people who believe in the value of connection, collaboration, and elevating public education through strong communications. Whether you're looking to dip your toes in with a working group or take on a leadership role as a board member, there are meaningful ways for you to contribute.
Working Groups
MinnSPRA’s working groups thrive with the talents of members like you. Whether it’s planning events, enhancing communications, or supporting member growth—there’s a place for you.
Member Support
This group focuses on fostering a strong and engaged membership. Responsibilities include providing assistance to members, planning professional development (PD) opportunities, and identifying ways to enhance the overall membership experience.
- Co-leads: Eric Hagemann and Adelle Wellens
Communications & Website
Tasked with all things communication, this group manages the MinnSPRA website, updates digital content, handles social media channels (including the Facebook group and LinkedIn page), and ensures timely and consistent communication with members across various platforms.
- Co-leads: Kate Martin and Ryan Mayers
Governance & Equity
This group oversees organizational policies, budgeting, and ensures equity and inclusion are central in all MinnSPRA efforts. They provide strategic direction and accountability across the organization.
- Lead by the Executive Team
Awards
The Awards working group organizes the annual MinnSPRA awards program from start to finish: managing the nomination process, promoting recognition opportunities, recruiting volunteer judges and more. Additionally, members in this group coordinate and submit MinnSPRA’s application for NSPRA Mark of Distinction Awards each year.
- Co-leads: Eric Hagemann and Adelle Wellens
Conferences
This group leads the planning and execution of MinnSPRA’s conferences, including the one-day Fall Conference and the two-day Spring Conference. While each event may have separate planning leads or committees, additional members are needed to shape both events and ensure MinnSPRA conferences deliver valuable learning and networking experiences to all attendees.
- Fall 2025 Conference Co-leads: Shawn Hogendorf, Nandi Solorzano-O’Brien and Toya Stewart Downey
- Spring 2026 Conference Co-leads: Grace Becker, Celi Haga and Eric Hagemann
Serve on the MinnSPRA Board
MinnSPRA’s Board of Directors plays a vital role in guiding the organization’s vision, ensuring strong governance and supporting school communicators across Minnesota. Board positions are filled through a member election process each year. If you're passionate about public education and ready to lead, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to a Board member!