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Policy Portal

Issue #197
November 29, 2007

Public Policy Strategies & Tactics series coming to Grand Rapids
Click here to register

Advocacy has become an increasingly important strategy that helps nonprofits to meet their missions. MNA is pleased to announce that the Public Policy Strategies & Tactics training series will now be offered in Grand Rapids. This series of workshops provides important tools for nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers to effectively engage in public policy debates at the state and local levels.

Each workshop has a specific focus and many are highly interactive. Choose combinations for various leaders in your organization that will strengthen your capacity for advocacy.

Trainings in this series include:

• Public Policy 101: The Basics of Nonprofit Advocacy
• Public Policy 201: Advanced Advocacy
• Following the Dollars: A Guided Tour through the State's Budget Process
• Framing: Developing and Delivering Effective Messages
• Fundraising: Approaching Funders for Supporting Advocacy
• Organizing: Building and Sustaining Stakeholder Engagement

Updated! Location (varies by training):
Jan 14, Feb 18, May 20 and Jun 16: Kent MSU Extension, 775 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids
Mar 11: GVSU PEW Campus, 401 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids, room EC 316
Apr 22: Fair Housing Center of West Michigan, 20 Hall Street SE, Grand Rapids
Registration Fee: $25 for each workshop
Pre-registration is required. Registration deadlines are one week prior to each of the trainings.
Register Now!

Co-sponsored by The Johnson Center at Grand Valley State University and MSU Extension.

For more information about these or other MNA public policy trainings, contact Tiffany Aurora at 517-492-2400.

Public Policy 101: The Basics of Nonprofit Advocacy
Jan 14, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $25.00 / Deadline: Jan 7, 2008
Location: Kent MSU Extension, 775 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, 49503

Nonprofit advocacy and lobbying are legal and responsible ways to serve your constituencies. Lobbying laws, planning for advocacy, and basic advocacy skills will be introduced in this session. This is a basic workshop for nonprofit staff, volunteers and board members who are thinking about increasing their capacity to do policy work at the State Capitol. Definitions of public policy, advocacy, lobbying, and the arenas of influence will be discussed as well as a basic description of the legislative process and how bills become laws.

Presenter: Don Wotruba, Michigan Association of School Boards.

Click here to register.

Public Policy 201: Advanced Advocacy
Feb 18, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $25.00 / Deadline: Feb 11, 2008
Location: Kent MSU Extension, 775 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, 49503

Ever wonder what a "rider" is? Or how fiscal notes are put together? And can anyone draft a bill? Come to our Ask-the-Expert session on advanced legislative and administrative processes. The presenter for this training will highlight resources available at the Capitol which assist advocates in engaging in the process.

Presenter: Jean Doss, J.D. Consulting.

Click here to register.

Following the Dollars: A Guided Tour through the State's Budget Process
Mar 11, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $25.00 / Deadline: Mar 4, 2008
Location: GVSU PEW Campus, 401 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids, room EC 316

In this workshop, you will gain an understanding of the following: the basics of the state budget; the timeline for the state's budget process; how the Governor's budget proposal is developed; how the budget travels through the legislature; and opportunities for input and advocacy in the budget process.

Presenter: Craig Thiel, Citizen's Research Council of Michigan.

Click here to register.

Framing: Developing and Delivering Effective Messages
Apr 22, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $25.00 / Deadline: April 15, 2008
New Location: Fair Housing Center of West Michigan, 20 Hall Street SE, Grand Rapids, 49507

Messages for internal audiences, opinion shapers and the media, and elected officials and their staff are all important components of nonprofit advocacy. This workshop will focus on framing and developing key messages, identifying target audiences, and selecting communication modes that reach audiences in timely and persuasive ways.

Presenter: Kelly Rossman-McKinney, The Rossman Group.

Click here to register.

Fundraising: Approaching Funders for Supporting Advocacy
May 20, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $25.00 / Deadline: May 13, 2008
Location: Kent MSU Extension, 775 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, 49503

A panel of funders will share the efficient and successful methods of approaching sponsors to fund your advocacy organization and its events for both short and long term activities.

Presenters: Sheri Brady, W.K. Kellogg Foundation; DeDe Esque, Nokomis Foundation; and Marcia Rapp, Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

Click here to register.

Organizing: Building and Sustaining Stakeholder Engagement
Jun 16, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $25.00 / Deadline: Jun 9, 2008
Location: Kent MSU Extension, 775 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, 49503

This workshop provides the basics of organizing, power analysis, setting goals and objectives for grassroots organizing and advocacy, and methods and exercises in stakeholder analysis. This interactive session will demonstrate ways to engage board members, staff, volunteers and constituents of an organization to advance its mission through grassroots mobilization.

Presenter: Michele Corey, Michigan's Children.

Click here to register.