Legislative Trainings

Our curriculum teaches the critical strategic and technical skills needed for today’s legislative advocacy. Our cohort model and intimate trainings foster collaborative networks that develop trust across issue areas, sectors, and the State of New York.

All trainings are produced by a trusted community of government insiders, seasoned advocates, journalists, and organizers. Participants advance strategy, build relationships, share skills, gather information, and optimize their legislative campaigns.

Woven into all of our training opportunities is a commitment to interactive participation, the use of relevant case studies, and an understanding of the dynamics of privilege and oppression in legislative advocacy.

Eligible applicants must be:

  • Affiliated with a non-profit organization
  • Working actively on social justice legislative or budget campaigns (either on their own or in coalitions)
  • Located in New York State

Trainings and Events

Instructions

We anticipate more demand than we can meet for these trainings and will be accepting participants on a rolling basis by application. Please answer every question on the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

In-person trainings are free for members. For non-members, in-person trainings are $50.00 per day.

Registration for a webinar is free for members. For non-members, registration for a webinar is $15.00.

Contact hello@advocacy-institute.org with any questions.

Upcoming General Events

Session Update: Debrief of the Summer Session and Issues for Next Year

Missed being in Albany and want to catch up on all the latest developments from the State government this summer? Join us for a session update on Tuesday, September 15th at 2pm to:

  • Review some of the key legislation that was passed;
  • Highlight developments from key summer hearings;
  • Discuss some key campaigns and how they are planning for the upcoming session; and
  • Connect with advocates from across the State to support each other in the coming year.

This opportunity is free and open to AI members and non-members. Please RSVP by September 10th. You will receive a calendar invite with a zoom link after your RSVP.

Contact hello@advocacy-institute.org with any questions.

Upcoming Member Events

Training on the Equity Gap Maps

The Advocacy Institute and New York Civic Engagement Table have teamed up to bring our members and partners an interactive map that will help advocates and organizers integrate and coordinate electoral and legislative work and conduct district analysis easily in unprecedented ways. Join us September 17, 2020 at 2pm as we launch The Equity Gap Maps and walk through how you can use this tool to build stronger advocacy and civic engagement strategies by:

  • Getting impacted communities to elect people who care about your issues into office
  • Understanding who lives in our communities and engaging them around civic engagement and advocacy
  • Encouraging communities to work year-round  on your advocacy campaigns and elections

This opportunity is free and open to all AI and NYCET members and partners. Please RSVP by September 15th. You will receive a calendar invite with a zoom link after your RSVP.

AI Member Call: NYC Budget Process

This past June, New York City passed a $88.2B budget as the city faced a $9B shortfall. The controversial budget, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, left many issues unaddressed and many of the priorities that we were fighting for were met with huge cuts. While this is extremely disappointing, advocates still have an opportunity to push for the needs of our communities. Join for our next AI Member Call on the NYC Budget Process on Tuesday, September 29th at 2pm where experts will:

  • Share insight on what advocates should know about the November modifications and January Plan;
  • Discuss how advocates use these opportunities to push their budget priorities; and
  • Give insight into who advocates should engage with in the Administration and the role City Council plays in both.

This Member Call is open to AI members only. Please RSVP by September 24th. Once you have RSVP’d you will receive a calendar invite with a zoom link. If you are not an AI member and interested in being a member or have questions about membership, please email membership@advocacy-institute.org.

Contact hello@advocacy-institute.org with any questions.

Upcoming Webinars

The State Budget: Tips, Tricks and Strategies

Are you working on a budget campaign this year? Join us on Thursday, September 24th at 2pm to learn the ins and outs of the state budget process. We will:

  • Review budget timelines and key players;
  • Offer tips for leveraging agency relationships in the fall;
  • Provide updates on the most recent state budget shifts and current budget crisis in Albany; and
  • In the last half hour of the webinar, we’ll invite participants to share questions about their current budget campaigns and receive strategy advice from AI staff and other advocates.

The deadline to register for this training is September 18th. The training is free for members and $15 per person for non-members. If you are interested in being a member or have questions about membership, please email membership@advocacy-institute.org. Once you have registered you will receive a calendar invite with a zoom link and if you’re a non-member, a payment link.

Contact hello@advocacy-institute.org with any questions.

Upcoming In-Person

We’ll share information about upcoming in-person trainings in this area as soon as we have something planned!

Contact hello@advocacy-institute.org with any questions.

Past Trainings

+ New York City 1-Day Training (November 20, 2019)
+ Long Island Training (Nassau) (October 22, 23, 2019)
+ New York City Regional 3 Day (July 11, 18, 25, 2019)
+ Western New York Regional Day (June 10, 2019)
+ Hudson Valley & Westchester 2 Day (March 20 & 21, 2019)
+ New York City Regional 2 Day (Jan 30 & 31, 2019)
+ Hudson Valley Regional Funder Training (October 25, 2018)
+ Western NY Regional Funder Training (October 12, 2018)
+ NYC Regional Training (Jan. 31, Feb. 7 & 14, 2018)
+ Hudson Valley Regional Training (January 24-26, 2018)
+ Member Training (November 14, 2017)
+ Member Training (October 17, 2017)
+ Western New York Training (September 26, 27, 28, 2017)
+ Member Training (September 20, 2017)
+ Summer Leadership Course (July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2017)
+ Joint Training Series with HSC & UNH (July 11, 18, 2, 2017)
+ Long Island Training (w/ LICET) (May 10, 11, 12, 2017)
+ Member Training (May 18, 2017)
+ Member Training (April 13, 2017)
+ Member Training (March 16, 2017)
+ Member Training (February 9, 2017)
+ Buffalo Training. (December 9 – 11, 2016)
+ Member Training (November 15, 2016)
+ Member Training (September 20, 2016)
+ Long Island Nassau Training (May 25 – 27, 2016)
+ Long Island Suffolk Training (April 26 – 28, 2016)
+ NYC Training (April 22, 2016)
+ Westchester Training. (February 3 – 5, 2016)

Past Webinars

+ Digital Advocacy Workshop (May 28, 2020)
+ All About Implementation 2020 (March 31, 2020)
+ NYC Budget Webinar (February 27, 2020)
+ 2020 Session Updates (January 30, 2020)
+ All About Implementation 2019 (May 30, 2019)
+  Last Chance for Legislation (April 18, 2019)
+  NYC Budget Homestretch (March 28, 2019)
+  Meet our AI Insiders (Building Key Relationships) (February 21, 2019)
+  Campaign Milestones: Tracking Progress Along the Way (January 24, 2019)
+ Key Players & Power Dynamics | How the Elections Impact Legislative Strategy (December 6, 2018)
+ State Power & Authority Why Working Across Regions Matters (Nov 1, 2018)
+ Understanding State Legislative & Budget Cycles (Oct 4, 2018)