Advisory Council

MHC Advisory Council Opportunity Now Closed

Thank you for your interest in participating in our MHC Advisory Council. If you have already applied, you will hear from an MHC team member within the next few weeks, once we have reviewed all applications. If you were unable to apply before the deadline, please contact Angie Lynch to be added to MHC’s communication list to receive future emails with opportunities related to participating or volunteering at commemorative events.

Application, Review, and Selection Process Timeline

• January 10, 2025 – application opportunity closed
• January 13 through 17 – applications are reviewed by MHC staff
• January 21 through 24 – selections are made by MHC CEO
• January 27 – 30 – all applicants will be notified of their status and first Advisory Council meeting dates will be established

Frequently Asked Questions

I was not selected for the Advisory Council but am interested in another role. Will other opportunities to be involved be available?

Yes! As we start planning the many program components to this event, the Advisory Council members from each of the Southeast Asian communities and US Veterans will need assistance in gathering educational materials, recommending vendors and entertainers, and to volunteer at the events. Contact Angie Lynch if you are interested in being a part of the programming.

Contact Angie Lynch

What kinds of activities is MHC planning for the joint commemoration?

At this point, we are unsure exactly what the program will look like. We will listen to the Advisory Council and the feedback of the communities they represent first, and then create a plan that includes input from those voices.

When will the events take place?

We are looking to fall of 2025 to schedule the commemoration. As soon as there are more definite plans, dates and details, they will be updated on this website.

MHC Advisory Council Members

• Must be Minnesota Residents
• Will receive a $400 honorarium payment for their participation
• We anticipate there will be three or fewer mandatory in-person meetings
• Represent an intergenerational cross-section of each of the four communities
• Can expect translators, childcare assistance, and transportation support, as needed

MHC Advisory Council Will:

• Drive decisions on everything from programmatic themes and content to new partners and communities/venues to host events.
• Gather and prioritize feedback from each of the four communities.
• Recommend and/or nominate possible vendors, speakers, panelists, and other partners for the joint commemorative event(s).
• Offer accountability by questioning assumptions, encouraging best practices, and helping maintain a high standard of quality and integrity. 

Key Dates

• December 6 , 2024 – January 10, 2025 – Applications accepted.
• Week of January 13, 2025 – Notification of selections sent via email.
• Mandatory first meeting will be held in January, date to be determined after the MHC Advisory Council is selected.
• Number and frequency of additional meetings and will be determined with MHC Advisory Council.

About the Commemoration

During the 2024 Minnesota Legislative session, legislators appropriated funding to the MHC, in collaboration with the Minnesota Historical Society, for the 50^th Anniversary of the Vietnam War/Southeast Asian Conflict. This commemoration recognizes and honors the contributions of the Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, and Vietnamese families who sought refuge in Minnesota beginning in 1975.

This work is funded in part by the Minnesota Humanities Center with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.