LEARN – ENGAGE – ADVOCATE

Figuring out the legislature’s complex inner workings and competitive, iterative processes takes time. The competition for scarce resources – time, money, committee hearings, and members’ attention- is dynamic and challenging, requiring persistence, collaboration, and cooperation. The legislative gauntlet is designed to filter out everything except the most developed and supported measures, resulting in only a relatively few measures reaching the Governor’s desk for signature.

The education and training modules help flatten and shorten the learning curve through straightforward, understandable, and practical discussions. The training is conducted in an engaging and interactive format, using customized, relatable content and examples. My goal is to help you understand the legislature at a level that meets your needs. What and how much do you want to know about how the sausage is made? As an experienced practitioner, I can pull back the curtain and show you the process and how to compete.

Learning Legislative Basics  – Geared for people who want to learn about, understand, and/or follow the legislature and legislation.  This module covers the essential information, including:

  • The state legislature’s structure, organization, and how it functions.
  • Tracing how legislative concepts move through the process, the timelines, committee processes, and chamber procedures.
  • The role lobbyists and other actors play in the process.
  • What happens during the interim period, i.e., when the legislature is not in session?

Engaging with the Legislature – Designed for people who want to meet and engage with legislators, lobbyists, advocates, and/or provide testimony in hearings.  This module covers some of the basics in the Learning module, but focuses on learning in-depth ways to meaningfully engage.  Participants learn:

  • How to track specific legislation.
  • Understanding committees and detailed committee processes.
  • How to craft and submit effective written and oral testimony.
  • How to identify members to meet and what to expect.
  • How to develop effective strategic communications, e.g., one-pagers, swag, and pamphlets.

Advocating in the Legislature – Covering and building upon information in the Learning and Engaging modules, this module is designed for people and organizations who want to develop, introduce, and advocate for legislative concepts.  This strategy-focused module includes:

  • Understanding the keys to advocacy and building coalitions.
  • How to develop legislative concepts, identify champions, and get concepts introduced.
  • Developing a practitioner’s understanding of the legislative process, the role of non-partisan legislative offices, and key decision points.
  • A detailed understanding of the committee process, developing a corresponding legislative strategy, and identifying tactics to continue advancing the measure.
  • How to build a public hearing panel and deliver impactful and meaningful testimony.
  • How to continue advocating and when to adapt the strategy and tactics over time.

Packages

Training and Education modules are customizable depending on your needs, timeline, and resources.  Prices for customized or combined training modules are negotiable.  The base rate includes:

  • 30-minute consultation and planning meeting
  • 1 hour of prep time to develop specific and relatable examples
  • 2 hours of in-person training
  • Travel less than 50 miles
  • Applies to groups of fewer than 10 people
  • Venue, food & drink, or other misc. costs not included.

Module Pricing

Learning – $350

Engaging – $400

Advocating – $500