Guest post by Jeanne Kojis, Executive Director at Nonprofit Network Southwest Washington

In this lively session experienced policy leaders profiled different tactics to communicate messages and build relationships with policy makers.
 
First rule of all communications is to know your audiences, in both the broad general sense as well as individually. Broadly speaking – U.S. Senators have a considerable power as individuals. The House of Representatives is much more about the power of that entire body – individual representatives have far less leverage.

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Guest post by Kristin Hurdle, director state policy, of the YMCA of the USA

Thinking ahead to next year, the Public Policy Action Institute wrapped up this morning with a Presidential Debate. No, there wasn’t Rick Perry, Herman Cain, or Mitt Romney on stage.

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Guest post by Elizabeth Snyder, director of advocacy & public policy at the American Fraternal Alliance

My advocacy website vendor is awesome – which doesn’t matter as much when the Fraternal Alliance isn’t running an advocacy campaign and pushing members to use web forms, talking points, etc. Keeping advocates engaged and motivated to build relationships with elected officials is a constant challenge, especially at a small staff association where time and resources are limited.

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Guest post by Danielle Hirsch, director of advocacy of The Chicago Bar Foundation

The topic of the first session for the 2011 Public Policy Action Institute was, as always, provocative and engaging.

The two speakers, Rob Reich, co-director for Philanthropy and Civil Society at Stanford University and Evelyn Brody, professor of Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law spoke to the many challenges facing the nonprofit sector.

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It’s hard to believe that we’re a little over 3 months away from the 2011 Public Policy Action Institute (PPAI) this October in Chicago!

As we gear up for the Institute, check out the many resources available on our website.

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