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The Advocacy Classroom Series
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Oh No! You Missed the Workshop?

Never fear, because the CDs are always available! They include all workshop materials and a few other tidbits we hope you'll find useful as you Go Forth and Advocate!

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Previous 2004 Workshops

January 23: "A New Year, A New Session, A New Perspective: Organizing Your Grassroots & GR Efforts for 2004"

April 16: "Finding and Getting Federal Grants and Loans - 2004"

August 12: "Grassroots Survivor: Keeping Your Grassroots Engaged Through the Conventions, Elections and Start of a New Congress"

Previous 2003 Workshops

March 28th: "The Budget & Appropriations Process: Making Sense of the Dollars & Cents"

May 23rd: "Show Me the Money: Researching, Tracking (and Getting) Federal Grants and Loans"

July 18th: "Fertilize Your Grassroots: Identifying, Motivating, Activating and Institutionalizing Grassroots Advocacy"

November 14 "Legislative Procedure & You - Part 1: Getting to Know the Process"

November 21 "Legislative Procedure & You - Part 2: Legislative Process 401"

 

If you have ideas for the upcoming workshop or other future events, please take our Advocacy Classroom Topic Survey!

 

WORKSHOP PROGRAMS

 

July 18, 2003

Fertilize Your Grassroots: Identifying, Motivating, Activating and Institutionalizing Grassroots Advocacy

Purchase the CD-Rom

 
AGENDA
Introduction / Overview: What are the "grassroots"? Why are they important? Interactive exercise in "thinking outside the box" about grassroots coalitions
Components of a Grassroots Organization The Who (individual advocates, coalitions - your "partners")
The Where (connecting advocates with decision makers)
The What (what's the message?)
The How (organizational/institutional structures for working with grassroots partners)
Motivating and Activating the Grassroots How and when are they most effective?
Eliminating barriers
Motivating grassroots members to take meaningful action movie here
Tools and techniques for activation: from the ridiculous to the sublime
Case Studies Stories of success from the real world
Campaign Development Exercise Participants will, through breakout groups, develop a grassroots campaign around an exciting "secret" issue (to be revealed at the workshop!)

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May 23rd, 2003

Show Me the Money: Researching, Tracking (and Getting) Federal Grants and Loans

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AGENDA

Introduction: Interactive Exercise with the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Online.

Overview of Federal Grant-Making Process

Grants vs. Loans
Specific kinds of grants (i.e., formula vs. discretionary)
How to Keep Track

What Funders Want from Fundees:

How to write a good proposal

What funders in general want

What the feds in particular are looking for

General fundraising resources

Sweetening the Pot: Or, How to Make Your Ideas Stand Out:

Getting elected officials involved

Building local support

Coalition efforts

Case Studies: Stories of success from the real world

Proposal / Idea Development Exercise: Participants will, through breakout groups, develop funding proposals around a specific idea.

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March 28, 2003

The Budget & Appropriations Process: Making Sense of the Dollars & Cents

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  • Baffled by the budget and appropriations process?
  • Concerned about whether federal programs you care about will continue to be funded (and what role your organization can play in keeping the dollars flowing?)
  • Can't tell the difference between a reconciliation, a resolution and an omnibus whosi-whatsit?
  • Looking to connect with others in the same boat?

The Advocacy Classroom can help!

We've created the "The Budget & Appropriations Process: Making Sense of the Dollars & Cents" workshop to help you:

  • Master the basics of how the Congressional budget and appropriations process works and learn key terms
  • Experience first-hand how difficult it is to put together a "federal" budget
  • Discover the "points of influence," - at what point your organization can expect to have the most influence over policy makers and their staff
  • Uncover hidden online resources to make your job easier
  • Get advice and tips on creating a successful strategic plan for the FY2004 budget and appropriations cycle

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November 14, 2003

Legislative Process 101 - Getting to Know the Process

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Schoolhouse Rock and You: How a Bill Becomes a Law: A brief overview of the process, including:

 

What they didn't tell you on Schoolhouse Rock
The steps of the process
Resources for finding out more

The three main categories of legislation and why they matter:

 

Authorization bills
Appropriations bills
The budget process

Key themes for effective advocacy at the federal level

 

Why advocacy is essential
Quick and easy ways to keep track of what’s going on
Moving bills are powerful
Non controversial bills are powerful
The process is long, confusing and inefficient


Conclusion: Why Congress is so Darned Inefficient (You'll have to stay to the end to learn this!)

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November 21, 2003

Legislative Process 401

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Key Advanced Themes of the Legislative Process

Introducing legislation

Where ideas come from
Things to consider (referral, timing, parliamentarian, etc.)

Committee process

Hearings
Markups
Reports

House Rules Committee

Senate “Unanimous Consent”

House and Senate floor procedure

Legislative History (What is it and How do I get me some)

Conference Committees and Amendments Between the Houses

Quirks, oddities, and downright weird things to remember

Budget process: Timelines, deadlines, key legislation

Appropriations: How it’s vastly different from everything we’ve said before

Structures of Rules: Why they matter, how to interpret

Language, language, language: Why it’s location is important and how to get it placed (rules of construction)

Five Things Your Political Science Teacher Never Told You

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January 23, 2004

A New Year, A New Session, A New Perspective: Organizing Your Grassroots & GR Efforts for 2004

Purchase the CD-Rom

Be sure to start the New Year off right!

  • Get an earlier start on your policy priorities
  • Utilize your grassroots more effectively
  • Collect loads of checklists, worksheets and calendar templates designed to help you plan your policy work
  • Impress your Boss / Board / Membership with a comprehensive plan for 2004

AGENDA / TOPICS

Introduction/Overview: The context of 2004 and why it’s vastly different than 2003

  • Figuring Out Your Policy Priorities
  • Building upon 2003 issues (assessing wins and losses)
  • Working with you board / membership / legislative committee to fine tune existing priorities and develop new ones
  • Reaching consensus on what’s important

The Congressional Calendar: What Should You Be Doing When?

  • Timing of the budget and appropriations process
  • Hearings, Markups and other crazy stuff that goes on
  • District work periods and how to take advantage of them

Having the Tools in Place: Grassroots, Grasstops and PACs

  • Assessing your current grassroots situation: 10 simple steps to improve your grassroots
  • Why a PAC is more important than ever
  • Utilizing your key contact effectively

Policy Planning Exercise: Participants will, through breakout groups, develop their own plans for 2004.

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April 16, 2004

Finding and Getting Federal Grants and Loans - 2004

Purchase the CD-Rom

AGENDA

Introduction: Interactive Exercise with the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Online.

Overview of Federal Grant-Making Process

Grants vs. Loans
Specific kinds of grants (i.e., formula vs. discretionary)
How to Keep Track

What Funders Want from Fundees:

How to write a good proposal
What funders in general want

What the feds in particular are looking for

General fundraising resources

Sweetening the Pot: Or, How to Make Your Ideas Stand Out:
Getting elected officials involved

Building local support

Coalition efforts

Case Studies: Stories of success from the real world

Proposal / Idea Development Exercise: Participants will, through breakout groups, develop funding proposals around a specific idea.

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August 12, 2004

Grassroots Survivor: Keeping Your Grassroots Engaged Through the Conventions, Elections and Start of a New Congress

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AGENDA

Introduction / Overview: Identify the key factors impacting your relationship with your grassroots – especially now!

Grassroos Philosophy

  • Different types of grassroots audiences and how to approach them
  • Perspectives on the “harassment factor”
  • Defining victory and building a long tem outlook

Tips and Techniques for Motivating in Difficult Times (Or, How to Avoid Being Voted Off the Island)

  • What are the barriers for participation, especially during campaign season? How do we overcome them?
  • Shifting focus: Asking for grassroots involvement in new arenas (it’s not just about the legislature – especially during campaign season)
  • Share YOUR best ideas for rousing grassroots in difficult times
  • Putting out fires: How to put out end of session legislative fires, without letting your grassroots get burned.
  • The Top Ten List – Ten “action ideas” for inspiring you and your grassroots

Bringing it all Together: Participants will, through breakout groups, develop their own plan for winning at Grassroots Survivor!

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REVIEWS

Comments from previous workshop participants

"Above and beyond what I expected"

"It was great!"

"Fabulous!!!"

"Very Worthwhile"

"Really helpful. Gave order to some of my ideas and gave me new ideas too!"

"It was terrific!"

"Well done!"

"Wow what a value - really - lots of good ideas and discussion - thanks so much!"

"Great workshop! Reinforced what we knew and gave a lot of good tips!"

"Good overview, good tips"

"Very informative and helpful"

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Post-Workshop CD Purchase

Missed a workshop? You can purchase a CD-Rom with all the materials for only $30. Order today! We accept Mastercard and Visa. Please note that the CD's will be mailed after the workshop.

Grassroots CD
Show me the Money CD
Budget and Appropriations CD
Legislative Process 101 CD
Legislative Process 401 CD
A New Year, A New Session, A New Perspective CD
Grants 2004
Grassroots Survivor

If you prefer to be invoiced for the CDs, click here for a CD order form. And thanks!