Meet Andrew Degerstrom

Longtime neighborhood organization volunteer, Andrew Degerstrom, is now working for three neighborhood groups.
He’s served on the board of his own neighborhood organization, the East Isle Neighborhood Association, since 2014. Last summer, he was hired as the coordinator for East Bde Maka Ska, and a few months ago, he added Fulton and Lynnhurst.
Degerstrom shared thoughts about his multiple roles with the Connector.

Tell our readers a bit about yourself.
Degerstrom: I grew up in Rochester, and moved to Minneapolis in 2009 to attend the University of Minnesota. I have a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning, both from the U. When I moved to Minneapolis, I lived in the Stadium Village part of Prospect Park for one year, Linden Hills for two years, and have been living in East Isles since 2012.
Some of the things I like to do include going for walks around Lake of the Isles, riding my bike, and attending Minnesota Lynx games. (I’m a season ticket holder).

What is your past experience with
neighborhood organizations?
Degerstrom: I first got involved in my own neighborhood organization, the East Isles Neighborhood Association, back in 2014. I was recruited while attending my precinct caucus. I was elected to the board that year and with the exception of a mandatory 1-year gap from 2018-2019 to satisfy term limits, I have been on the board ever since. I served as treasurer my first year, president the next two years, and have served as treasurer for the past three years. Being around for so long has allowed me to develop an institutional memory, which is really important on boards that can have frequent turnover.

What drew you to working at
neighborhood organizations?
Degerstrom: Working with neighborhood organizations was not a planned career path for me. This past summer I was unemployed when I saw that Monica Smith, East Bde Maka Ska’s longtime coordinator, was retiring. I knew I could do the job based on my experience with my own neighborhood organization and that I would enjoy the work, so I applied. Several months later, I got connected with Fulton and Lynnhurst through networking. Their longtime coordinator, Ruth Olson, was leaving to work in Council Vice President Linea Palmisano’s office. She knew I was looking to pick up additional neighborhoods, so she recommended me as her replacement. Finding a neighborhood coordinator is not as easy as one would assume. Unless a neighborhood can find someone who already knows the Minneapolis neighborhood system and the intricacies of city funding, onboarding a new coordinator can take a long time.

What are the challenges facing
neighborhood organizations right now?
Degerstrom: I’d say the biggest challenge facing neighborhood organizations right now is the decrease in city funding. It is making neighborhood organizations either find alternative sources of funding, be more diligent with fundraising, make tough cuts to their programming, or a combination of all three.

What are some of your immediate goals as you take on Fulton and Lynnhurst? What goals do you have for East Bde Maka Ska?
Degerstrom: I have only been with Fulton and Lynnhurst since Jan. 3. With Lynnhurst, I started with all cylinders firing as I had to immediately start planning for its annual meeting and coordinating the winter newsletter. Fulton’s schedule was a little more forgiving. But for Fulton and Lynnhurst in general, my immediate goals include transitioning both neighborhoods over to QuickBooks and familiarizing myself more with each neighborhood by going through all of the files.
In East Bde Maka Ska, things are a little bit calmer. This past year, especially the last quarter, was really hectic for most neighborhood organizations preparing for the transition to Neighborhoods 2020 and making sure they meet all of the city’s requirements.