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 education 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.
Summer Leadership Course
Advanced training for two team members from member organizations. Available to members only. Separate application required. Space is limited.
Each member organization accepted into the Summer Leadership Course designates two individuals leading their legislative advocacy work – including one senior staff person – to attend a full day immersive training every Thursday in July.
| Time | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30 | Arrivals / Opening Session: AI Work & Goals | Opening Practices | Opening Practices | Opening Practices | Opening Practices |
| 10:00 | Opening Practices | Who’s Who 1: Understanding State Politics | Who’s Who 2: Understanding City Politics | State Budget 1: Fiscal Policy for Social Justice | City Budget: Expense |
| 11:15 | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break |
| 11:30 | City & State Landscape & Timelines | I’m Just a Bill – In Albany | I’m Just a Bill – In NYC | State Budget 2: Understanding the Process | Winning! The Politics of Bill Signing |
| 12:45 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1:45 | Campaign Examples: Participant Perspectives | Reading Legislation: The Crib Notes | Bring it Home: Teach Your Team | Implementation: Making Our Wins Count | Winning! Identifying Targets |
| 3:15 | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break |
| 3:30 | Your LD: Orientation to Tools | Member-Driven Advocacy” | Legislative Meetings: Who, How, When & What | Expert Strategy Sessions | Synthesis & Integration: Organizational Next Steps |
| 5:00 | Closing & Debrief | Closing & Debrief | Closing & Debrief | Closing & Debrief | Closing & Debrief |
Trainings
May 10, 11, 12—Long Island Training (w/ LICET)
May 18—Member Training
University Settlement
273 Bowery (at the Houston Street Center)
New York, NY 10002
City Who’s Who & City Elections!
Morning Sessions (9:30am-12:30pm)
- City Who’s Who: Understand the impact of timelines, structures, norms, and key players in the city legislative and executive branches.
- New York City Council Elections: Find out who’s running for the NYC Council in 2017 and how those elections may present obstacles and opportunities for your campaigns. We’ll be joined by election experts Aaron Hecht from Red Horse Strategies and Candis Tolliver from 32BJ.
City Budget Process, Hearing Preparation, and the Legislative Directory
Afternoon Session (1:30pm-4:30pm)
- I’m Just a Budget | City: Learn about the city budget process, timelines, and key players, and explore different avenues for engagement in budget advocacy.
- City Budget and the Legislative Directory: Review the LD basics and use it to plan for city budget campaigns, including identifying committee members, planning for budget hearings, and coordinating with your team.
July 6, 13, 20, 27—Summer Leadership Course
July 11, 18, 25—Joint Training Series with HSC & UNH
Sept 20—Member Training Day
Sept 26, 27, 28—Western New York Training
Oct 17—Member Training Day
Nov 14, 2017—Member Training Day
+ 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)
+ Member Training (February 9, 2017)
+ Member Training (March 16, 2017)
+ Member Training (April 13, 2017)
AI provides exactly the type of information and ‘Insider knowledge’ that groups like ours need to be more effective and strategic in our work. - Walter Barrientos, Make The Road New York
Advocacy Institute In Action
Over 250 organizers in New York use our resources to reveal who holds power, who works for them, and how they fit within the legislative landscape. Together, we’re creating a more effective social justice community of activists and advocates.
