The Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens (MADC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the civil, human, and American Sign Language and other natural signed languages rights of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals in the state of Minnesota.
The MADC Board of Directors is elected at the biennial conference. The full roster was announced at the 66th Conference on November 1, 2025.
| Position |
Name |
| President |
Kathleen Smith |
| Vice-President |
Jackie Correa-Alley |
| Secretary |
Damon Johnson |
| Treasurer |
Kyle Laughery |
| Member at Large |
Kim Wassenaar (new) |
| Member at Large |
Eric Nooker (continuing) |
| Member at Large |
Stella Lancaster (continuing) |
| Member at Large |
John Wilson (continuing) |
One Member at Large position is currently vacant. The 2025–2027 Board will search and appoint a replacement.
- Former President: Lindsey Moon
- Former Secretary: Julie Pleski
- Former Treasurer: Kelsey Dahl
- Former Member at Large: Kelsey Ross
- 1885 — MADC established at the first reunion held at the Minnesota School for the Deaf in Faribault (June 24–26, 1885). Dr. J. L. Smith elected as first President; officers included First Vice President W. E. Dean, O. Hanson, and Treasurer O. Gunderson.
- June 1906 — Incorporated under the laws of Minnesota.
- August 3, 1957 — MADC became the first state association to affiliate with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), at the NAD biennial convention in Moorhead, MN.
- July 1977 — Name changed from Minnesota Association of the Deaf to Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens, Inc. at the convention in Pengilly, MN.
- August 1985 — Centennial celebration on the campus of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf.
- 2025 — MADC changed from 501(c)(4) to 501(c)(3) status; 66th MADC Conference held November 1, 2025.
- Cost: $11/year
- Eligibility: Open to all; must be a Minnesota resident
- Sign up: Membership Form (via Zeffy)
- Benefits: Members-only email updates, discounts on MADC events, voting rights at the MADC biennial conference
¶ Services and Programs
- Advocacy for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans
- Biennial Conference — State-wide gathering with workshops, awards, and community activities (66th held November 2025)
- Town Hall meetings — Community engagement events
- Annual events — Including Walking Taco Fundraiser
- Awards program:
- Deaf Minnesotan of the Year
- Gordon Allen Community Award
- Petra F. Howard Achievement Award
- Legislator of the Year Award
- MADC Appreciation Award
- Robert Stokes Achievement Award
- Wesley Lauristen Service Award
- MADC Youth Award
- President's Award
- Deaf Business Directory — Resources for Deaf-owned businesses
- Partners and Advocacy — Collaboration with other organizations
- Resources — Downloadable materials and links for the community