Sample Agenda

Building Nonprofit Capacity for Public Policy Engagement

CLPI promotes, supports and protects nonprofit advocacy and lobbying in order to strengthen participation in our democratic society and advance charitable missions. One critical way CLPI meets this mission is by providing trainings that accelerate nonprofit engagement in the public policy process, particularly nonprofit engagement in legislative advocacy.

CLPI recognizes that different organizations and communities are at various levels of readiness - in knowledge, skill and confidence - and thus acquires an understanding of an audience's current efforts and capacity prior to training. This understanding enables us to help the organization develop a realistic plan for moving forward.

In order to help 501(c)(3) nonprofits "make the extraordinary ordinary," the CLPI training approach includes a dual focus on organizational capacity and strategy, including advocacy planning.

Whatever the specific content or format, all CLPI training sessions:

• Motivate and inspire civic participation without ideological bias.
• Balance baseline legal information with effective advocacy strategies.
• Create an interactive, experiential learning opportunity for lasting impact.
• Respect and draw upon the wisdom of the participants and help them network.
• Involve and strengthen connections with local resources.
• May include public officials to connect advocates and policy makers.

The CLPI training curriculum helps organizations to develop action plans for their advocacy efforts. The curriculum can be presented in full-day sessions or in separate components during half-day or conference sessions. All CLPI curriculum materials, including those available through our extensive web site, provide basic and advanced information for nonprofit leaders on public policy advocacy topics such as:

• What is "legislative advocacy/lobbying" - and why it is important?
• Building capacity for legislative advocacy,
• Planning and evaluating advocacy activities,
• Message development and information dissemination,
• Direct lobbying and administrative advocacy,
• Grassroots lobbying and organizing,Working in coalitions/alliances,
• Media advocacy, and
• Voter education and engagement.