Building Community Together: Forge Strong Relationships with Policy-Makers

Get beyond “Nonprofit Advocacy” and “Lobbying 101.” Learn how to build partnerships for the long-haul with local and national public officials. How have successful organizations collaborated with policy-makers to create a shared agenda for community change? Hear stories from leaders in nonprofit, business, philanthropy, and media—as well as from legislators themselves. Open to anyone, this session is especially relevant for nonprofit and community-based groups who want practical strategies for becoming partners in public policy. Create a simple plan to build your advocacy network—and who in your organization should do it.

Elizabeth Jennings is a writer, editor, nonprofit trainer and consultant, and executive director of a small nonprofit in Bellingham. Certified as a Human Rights Trainer of Trainers by the University of Minnesota Law School, Liz has collaboratively co-authored workshop modules for Amnesty International USA, Idealist.org, Snowy Range Nonprofit Institute, Leadership Whatcom, Northwest Training Institute and other groups.  For 15 years she’s worked, volunteered and consulted with grassroots and international nonprofit organizations. Way back in the mists of time, Liz reported for a rural Wyoming daily newspaper (which was named after a mule), and she later served as managing editor of a university-based scholarly journal. She earned her BA in English and MA in American Studies from the University of Wyoming, and has lived in Whatcom County since 2005.