Winning Campaigns Training in LA Oct 14-16, 2011
Michele Chavez
I'm going to be attending Winning Campaigns Training in LA from October
14 through October 16. You can find more information about it here:
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/site/EventRegistration-Overview/3089/
If you want to go, you should sign up ASAP.
They say the training works best if several people from an organization
attend. But, if you cannot attend, I'm still going to be asking for your
help in preparing to go. Along with confirmation of my registration,
they sent an email with "homework instructions," which are:
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Preparing for the Training
1. It is critical that you spend some time now to prepare, so that you
and your organization will get the most out of the weekend. This is your
homework.
Our training works best when several people from the same organization
work together on the same campaign. Do the homework assignment with
others from your organization that are coming to the training. If you
are the only one from your organization coming, consult with others from
your organization before the training. Working with other members of
your organization will allow you to better represent them at the
training, and you will be able to work with them more effectively when
you return as a highly trained winning campaign leader!
It's not too late to invite someone to join you at the training, but
only if they can attend for the entire session. Generally, it is NOT
appropriate or effective for a participant to attend just a portion of
the weekend. If you have someone that wants to register, encourage them
to do so as quickly as possible.
2. E-mail the top three campaigns you are considering to Jeremy
Grandstaff at jer...@peoplepoweredmovement.org by Monday, October 10.
To prepare for your training, please make time to brainstorm with your
organization colleagues and other stakeholders about the issues that are
most pressing in your community. We teach in the context of an actual
campaign so that by the end of the weekend you will not only know how to
develop a winning campaign plan, you'll have a roadmap to success on an
issue that's important to you.
In coming up with potential campaign ideas, keep these points in mind:
a. Think campaigns, not programs. A campaign begins and ends (hopefully
with a victory party!). A program, on the other hand, is something that
could continue indefinitely. Although you'll have the opportunity over
the weekend to learn about program management, the training is focused
on campaigns. For example, we won't teach how to manage an annual Safe
Routes to School program, but we will teach how to win a policy
requiring your jurisdiction to have a well-funded Safe Routes to School
program in the first place.
b. Review the Campaigns section of the Alliance Resources library, which
contains examples of specific campaigns that other Alliance
organizations have undertaken including campaigns for 3-foot passing
laws, car-free space, complete streets policies, and winning safe and
accessible infrastructure for bicycling and walking. You should also
review the advocacy advance reports
www.advocacyadvance.org/resources/reports, which will assist you in
identifying other potential winning campaigns. (If you need help
accessing the library, call Mike Samuelson, the Member Services and Open
Streets Coordinator, at (202) 449-9692 x 7)
c. Think about what makes a good campaign. In addition to the other
Winning Campaigns Training materials, which we will use during the
training, you can find the Campaign Checklist here, which will guide you
through the process of choosing the right campaign. Will it increase
bicycling and walking, or decrease crashes, permanently? Will it be
divisive? Does it build the political power of your organization? As you
work with your fellow advocates, keep these points and others from the
checklist in mind so that you can bring several good potential campaigns
to the training. (Many of our participants already know what campaign
they want to work on. That's great! However, please still bring three
potential campaigns because the opening exercise, where we compare the
potential campaigns according to various criteria, is one of the most
valuable sessions of the training.)
If you are having trouble developing campaign ideas, contact Jeremy
Grandstaff at jer...@peoplepoweredmovement.org for one-on-one coaching.
Sending us your top three campaigns by Monday, October 14 also gives us
an opportunity to provide additional feedback and assistance in
preparing for the training.
3. Bring sample materials and share with others!
We�ll have a table available for sample materials from your
organizations (newsletters, brochures, event flyers, etc.). Please bring
samples to share. This is a great way to cross-pollinate the best ideas
from Alliance organizations. Additionally, think about what parts of
your organization you are most proud of and that you can share with
other leaders. Also, think about the areas of your organizations where
you feel you can use the most insight from other leaders.
4. Access Alliance resources to build your organization
Why reinvent the wheel? Our "Top Ten Tips," distilled from decades of
experience of other organizations from across the continent, contain the
best advice for bicycle and pedestrian advocates in the early stages of
organization building. While organizational development is not the focus
of the training, we will have experts in the field at hand, and we've
built some flexible time into the schedule to address organizational
development questions you may have. These tips are a good place to start
and can be found in the Alliance Resource Library with additional
resources on Fundraising, Membership Development, and more than 900
other resources to help you in your campaigns.
5. Consider spending some fun time outside of the training!
Please take a look at the logistical information attached to this e-mail
and the schedule above. Our hosts, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition,
are looking forward to hosting an event that provides lasting
connections and partnerships. Bring your bike or be sure to check out
the logistical document if you'd like to take part in Saturday
afternoon�s bike ride and need a bike. We also encourage you to join us
for dinner on Saturday night; while this is optional, it will be lots of
fun and we hope you can make it!
Please feel free to continue to contact me at any time before she
training with your questions or needed follow up. Our trainers, Brighid
O�Kenae and Ron Milam, are looking forward to seeing you in Los Angeles
and to leading a very successful event!
Jeremy Grandstaff, Member Services Director
Alliance for Biking and Walking
PH: 202-449-9692
Email: jer...@PeoplePoweredMovement.org
www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org
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Please help me with this "homework assignment," because it will help our
entire cycling community out here in the AV.
Thanks,
Michele