07/08/2019
AMWP Bids Farewell
As I reach out to you all for the final time and look upon this mailing list I see so many names that have been so important to this organization. For those of you who predate my work with A Minnesota Without Poverty, I am Bryan Goltzman, the President of the Board. My journey with AMWP started in 2010 when I was hired at the Jewish Community Relations Council as the Director of Social Justice. At that time, the JCRC and A Minnesota Without Poverty had just received a grant for staff support from the JCRC specifically for work with AMWP. My first work with AMWP was a Statewide Organizing Team retreat and even with my head spinning I could tell that this organization was special and that the people involved were passionate and were going to make a difference.
Our mission in 2010 (which originated in 2004) was to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020 (a modest goal). I remember thinking 2020 seemed so far away and the work ahead of us was even harder to even imagine. As 2020 quickly approaches I am reminded of the Jewish text Pirkei Avaot (or the Ethics of our Fathers) 2:21 it teaches “You are not obligated to complete the task, but neither are you free to desist from it”. All of you faithfully supported A Minnesota Without Poverty and its goal of working to end poverty in Minnesota. Gifting expertise, volunteer hours, signatures in support, and financial donations to make Minnesota a better place for everyone, you are the reason why we have accomplished so much.
Together we convened more than 50 poverty advocacy groups to collaborate together on implementing the Legislative Commission to End Poverty recommendations, raising the minimum wage, touring the entire state with our Enough for All Campaign, initiating microenterprise partnerships assisting those experiencing poverty with creating lasting and meaningful businesses, and in this past legislative session raising the profile of increased funding for early childhood education. We have done a lot together. Is the work complete? No, but we did not desist from it either and we can all be proud of what we accomplished.
Since the board announced that we would be finishing the work of A Minnesota Without Poverty we have received a lot of messages of appreciation and also questions about why we were planning on leaving this space. A little over two years ago the board held a retreat to discuss AMWP’s future as 2020 approached. We knew that our work would be to push for investments for early childhood education and focus on this past legislative session, but we were unsure of what would follow. Ultimately, we decided at that meeting to complete the work of A Minnesota Without Poverty by putting our full effort into the goal of increased investments for early childhood education. The past two years have been exceedingly gratifying working within the organization and partnering with other great organizations on a singular focus and making a tangible difference for Minnesota’s children.
I would be remiss not to thank our Founding Director, Nancy Maeker, for her dedication, passion, leadership, and doggedness. Her determination showed in every movement and our success was directly related to her vision and devotion. I would also like to thank all of the board members, organizing team members, and volunteers over the years. The time and sacrifices you put in helped make Minnesota a better place.
As A Minnesota Without Poverty comes to a close, I know I can speak for the board when I say thank you. You made an indelible impact on Minnesota and A Minnesota Without Poverty.
Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do for Minnesota!
Bryan Goltzman
A Minnesota Without Poverty Board President
