TOPEKA — A national nonprofit expert will speak Wednesday in Topeka. Marcia Avner, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits public policy director, will kick off the Sunflower Foundation’s “Advocacy in Health” series at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Topeka. The speech is free and open to the public. A public reception for Avner will follow. Avner said non-profits must serve but also be public advocates for those they serve. Non-profits have the information, research and expertise that elected officials need to make good decisions and non-profits have an obligation to be part of the public dialogue, she said. Advance reservations are required by calling (785) 232-3000 or visiting the web site www.sunflowerfoundation.org.