Advocacy Training by the National Women's Law Center

Date:

May 19, 2005

Details:

National Women's Law Center Progressive Leadership and Advocacy Network (PLAN) for Women Since 1972,
the National Women's Law Center has been working to expand the possibilities for women and girls at work and school, and in nearly every aspect of their lives. Under the direction of Helen Blank, Director of Leadership and
Public Policy, with Jamie Ekatomatis, Field Manager, NWLC is now launching an initiative to connect and elevate a diverse group of new advocates nationwide working on issues that affect low-income women and their
families.

The Progressive Leadership and Advocacy Network (PLAN) for Women will bring together up-and-coming advocates who have demonstrated a commitment to
working on these issues in a professional capacity and help them to develop the skills and networks necessary to take their advocacy to new heights of effectiveness.

The Center is now calling for applications for our first class of rising leaders. We are seeking individuals who wish to become more effective advocates for low-income women and their families and to develop a more prominent role for themselves in the policy-making process. In order to
apply, applicants must demonstrate the following: 1) a commitment to low-income women's advocacy in areas such as health care and Medicaid access, child care and early education, and non-traditional education and
training for women, among others; 2) demonstrable advocacy and leadership experience; and, 3) a willingness to commit to attending the Spring Retreat
and to ongoing participation in PLAN for Women.

As a participant in PLAN, you will have an opportunity to learn successful strategies and techniques from established leaders and skilled trainers, as well as engage in an ongoing dialogue with your peers across the country. NWLC will provide ongoing support for these new leaders, offering information, targeted skill-building and access to professional networks.

The inaugural class of 20-25 PLAN for Women participants will come together for the first time for a Spring Retreat at the Pocantico Conference Center in Tarrytown, NY. This introductory retreat will take place over a three-and-a-half day period beginning at 4:00 p.m. on May 19, 2005, and
ending at noon on May 22, 2005.

Conference sessions will be led by experts in leadership development, policy, and advocacy in topics such as:

- Enhancing each participant's understanding of the federal, state, and local policy issues that affect the availability and quality of supports for low-income women and their families.
- Working effectively with policy makers;
- Communicating with the media and the public;
- Building effective, civically engaged coalitions;
- Mobilizing concerned citizens to become involved in
policy decisions affecting low-income women;
- Structuring successful issue campaigns; and 
- Understanding and building personal leadership strengths and capacities.

In the late fall, PLAN participants will have the opportunity to come together again for a Fall Summit in Washington, D.C. for further leadership development activities, sessions with federal policy makers and Congressional
staff, self-directed workshops, and—over time—it is our hope that the Fall Summit will provide an annual occasion for participants to network with previous classes of leaders.

NWLC will also support PLAN leaders throughout the year with an interactive e-mail listserve and conference calls to facilitate peer-to-peer networking as well as ongoing technical assistance from NWLC's policy staff. We will
encourage additional opportunities whenever possible for the leaders to participate in events in their own states and communities as well as at the national level to increase their leadership capacities.

Cost and Scholarships
The Center will provide support for room and board for the Spring Retreat with scholarships available for airfare and/or other transportation expenses. Scholarships will also be available for the Fall Summit in Washington, D.C. For more information about estimated costs to participants, contact Jamie Ekatomatis at 202-588-5180 or
jekatomatis@nwlc.org.

How to Apply to PLAN for Women
Please limit your application to no more than three to four pages (including your resume, but not including your letters of recommendation. Each application should include:

1) Name, title, organization name, address, work phone and fax numbers, home phone, and e-mail address;
2) A copy of your current resume;
3) A listing of your advocacy and leadership experiences, both paid and volunteer, and a short description of how you would expect an ongoing network to support your advocacy work and leadership development;
4) One or two specific projects or activities that you would like to see as a part of the PLAN for Women project that would particularly enhance your experience;
5) Two sealed letters of recommendation, with at least one from your most recent employer; and
6) A note about whether or not you will require scholarship support (in the form of reimbursement) for your travel costs associated with attending the Spring PLAN Retreat (if selected as a participant), and the amount of support you will require. LaGuardia and Westchester are the closest
airports to Pocantico, and Grand Central Station in New York City is the closest major train station when traveling to Tarrytown, NY. Use these arrival destinations when estimating your travel costs and making a scholarship request.

Applications with references must be postmarked by December 10, 2004.

Applications should be mailed to:
Jamie Ekatomatis
National Women's Law Center
11 Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036.

All applicants will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of each application and the class of 20-25 PLAN for Women participants will be announced in mid-January, 2005.

For more information about the National Women's Law Center go to:
http://www.nwlc.org/