National Joint Powers Alliance® (NJPA) was authorized by Minnesota law as an Educational Cooperative Service Unit (Independent School District #924) to serve education and government entities with solutions, as outlined in Minn. Stat. 123A.21, which are more efficiently delivered cooperatively than by an entity individually.  As a service cooperative, NJPA is a governmental unit of the State of Minnesota, all NJPA employees are government employees.  NJPA is governed by an eight-member board made up of county commissioners, city councilmembers, mayors, or school board members.  Membership with and participation in NJPA programs is available to all education and government entities, as well as nonpublic schools and nonprofit organizations.  The services offered to NJPA Members are outlined in a plan assembled by the board of directors in conjunction with NJPA Members that is reviewed and published annually.  Prior to being recognized as the National Joint Powers Alliance, NJPA offered like programs and services, and was referred to as the North Central Service Cooperative.