Professional Development

Alliance for Justice Workshops and Events
The Alliance for Justice offers both online and face-to-face workshops on advocacy and lobbying for nonprofits.

National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) and Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) Public Policy Conference Strand for Adult Education Professionals and Learners
Each year, the NCL hosts a strand of high quality policy advocacy sessions at COABE conferences. National leaders, adult literacy advocates, and public policy experts lead presentations and workshops or share their expertise on panels. Sessions have included topics such as:

• Getting to Yes! Interest-based Negotiation Strategies
• Adult Learners as Advocates for Programs and Public Policy
• Adult Literacy Advocacy at the State and Federal Levels
• Critical Issues in Adult Education and Family Literacy
• Understanding the Budget, Appropriations, and Authorizations Process
• What’s Happening in Health Literacy

Visit COABE’s web site to learn about this year’s conference and presentation series.

National Coalition for Literacy and Dollar General Presentation Series: Pathways to Advocacy
Sponsored by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and convened by the NCL in partnership with states, the Pathways to Advocacy series supports adult education programs in partnering with businesses in advocacy. This blended professional development series dynamically explores how adult literacy interests align with businesses and policymakers to make adult education and literacy a top priority for our communities, our state and country. The series consists of a day-long session of presentations and workshops with national and local literacy experts, business leaders, policymakers, and advocates. NCL provides a grant for a participating adult education program to then create an advocacy and marketing plan. They receive direct technical assistance and participate in a follow up meeting to assist them in implementing their plan. Contact NCL for more information.

National Council of State Directors Advocacy Training
The National Council of State Directors of Adult Education (NCSDAE) advocacy workshops are provided to state adult education systems on a local and regional basis. The training focuses on adult education advocacy efforts directed toward state level policy and funding. The training workshops range from 2 hours to full day sessions. In most cases the state adult education system pays for the travel cost of the trainer while per diem and the cost of the trainer’s time is covered by other sources of funding.  Contact Art Ellison, aellison@ed.state.nh.us  for further information.

Online Advocacy Training from the American Library Association (ALA)
Free Webinars and Courses
The American Library Association provides free online professional development on public policy advocacy. Visit the ALA Online Advocacy page to access recorded Webinars, pod casts, and free online training. Topics covered include what you can do today, what makes an effective advocate, and how you can use their action center to get legislators’ attention on library issues. The advocacy principles they present here apply to adult literacy advocacy.

Stand Up and Be Counted
The Pennsylvania Association for Adult and Continuing Education provides a succinct ‘how to’ manual for adult educators who want to learn more about participating in public policy advocacy. Revised in 2004, this manual is foundational to understanding and demystifying grassroots advocacy. 

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