The Subtle Art of Advocacy: Finding Your Voice (Scranton)

The Subtle Art of Advocacy: Finding Your Voice
Thursday, November 7 | 9:00 AM-12:30 PM | Scranton

Offered in Partnership with: Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center (NCAC); Northeast Library District

Sponsored by: APPI Energy; PNC Institutional Asset Management

True or False: It’s against the law for nonprofits to advocate. False!

True or False: It's against the law for nonprofits to lobby. Also false! 

While it’s true that nonprofits cannot electioneer (aka speak out for or against specific candidates), we can – and should! – be involved in advocacy and lobbying efforts around laws, policies, and other legislative actions that may impact our mission and our work. Knowing that we CAN advocate is half the battle. But what’s the most effective way for nonprofits to bring about positive policy impact? How do we engage in this work without compromising our core values? And what about everyday advocacy? The work we are all doing day in and day out to advocate for our programs and services in our board rooms, to raise awareness about our organizations among donors, partners, and community members. In short, how do we find (and use) our voice? Join NCAC, the Northeast Library District and PANO for a dynamic conversation exploring these questions and more as we seek to uncover the subtle art of advocacy. This half-day program will feature:

1. Networking breakfast
2. Interactive Advocacy 101 Workshop
3. A panel of local organizations who have “been there, done that”, sharing honest insights into the challenges, realities, and successes of their journeys in advocacy efforts

Agenda:

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Welcome

10:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Courageously Advocating for Our Cause: Nonprofits as Lobbyists (presented by Anne L. Gingerich, Executive Director, PANO)

Before heading to any visit with any elected official, we should take a few minutes to connect to “why” we do what we do. Identifying where our values overlap (or not) with those we are meeting with can be helpful. Because relationships matter. This discussion covers current state and federal issues, provides reminders about what constitutes advocacy vs. what constitutes lobbying and how nonprofit leaders can get involved. This portion of the morning will include some time to courageously practice bridging the political divide.

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Networking Break

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | “Voices from the Field” Panel Discussion - moderated by Julie Schumacher Cohen, Director of Community and Government Relations at The University of Scranton, and featuring the following panelists:

• Bette Cox-Saxton, President & CEO, Maternal & Family Health Services
• Michael P. Hopkins, President & CEO, Children's Service Center
• James Gavin, MSW, President & CEO, Community Care Behavioral Health
• Peter Zurflieh, Esq., Staff Attorney, Community Justice Project

12:30 PM | Adjourn

Cost:

$20 PANO Members | $30 Not Yet Members

By signing up for this event, you authorize PANO to use any photos, videos, or recordings from this event in which you may appear. If you would like to request that PANO not use your image, likeness, and/or voice in publications and communications following this event, please reach out to Christina Spadaro | Christina@pano.org

What People are Saying about Similar Programs:

“I enjoyed meeting new people and understanding how to bring my constituents to legislators.” – 2017 Participant, “Courageous Conversations in Advocacy”, Villanova, PA

"The panel was very informative and engaging. I was captivated and enthralled by situations and experiences presented by people in the thick of nonprofit and policy work.” – 2018 participant, “Nonprofits & Policy Makers”, Villanova, PA

Location:

Albright Memorial Library

500 Vine Street

Scranton, PA 18509