The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD) voted Dec. 14 to reorganize. The changes will be implemented during 2012 and take effect in early 2013. The 17-year-old organization will be reorganized under a plan developed over the past year. MN-CCD will be a stand-alone nonprofit organization, with an executive director and a half-time administrative support staff member.

Regular MN-CCD meetings are currently convened by co-chairs who are elected to serve alternating, two-year terms. MN-CCD is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 organizations for providers and advocates for people with disabilities. The group is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. Its main activity is to address public policy issues that affect people with disabilities by collaborating with others, advocating, educating, influencing change and creating awareness for understanding.

The change was made for several reasons. It has been harder for MN-CCD to find new leadership, at a time when the organization has taken on more work. Issues have also become much more complex and take more time. Having an executive director would give MN-CCD a consistent spokesperson and point person at the state capitol and in other leadership situations, according to a task force report on potential structural changes. The director would be the lead contact for legislators and other policymakers.