2012 USGBC Advocacy Training Workshops

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1 2012 USGBC Advocacy Training Workshops Positioning USGBC for Advocacy Success Meeting the challenges of our fast growing movement requires organization, coordination and strategy for our advocacy volunteers and their chapter advocacy committees. Work with us to strengthen your chapter s advocacy organization and rise above the noise of the 44,000 interest groups that are advocating in the 50 state legislatures. Do you know? What? What makes the USGBC s advocacy brand unique compared to other green building organizations? How to strategically position yourself and your USGBC chapter as the experts on green building issues? Why displayed "passion" for your issue makes you a less persuasive advocate? How to prepare for legislator meetings; for example, what do you say after you say hello? The role empathy plays in winning over your legislator, and how to demonstrate it? How to stay on message when talking to the media about USGBC issues? The #1 reason competent, articulate advocates become less persuasive when talking with a legislator? (and how to overcome it) The way to quickly build trust with lawmakers? How to become the "go to" person for your legislator on your issues, even if you disagree with him or her on some of their issues? USGBC s advocacy training workshops are designed for chapter advocacy committees and chapter leadership and focus on communications, coordination and effective advocacy tactics supported by the latest social science research as to what really works. The most successful training programs are not complete without an advocacy in action component, meeting with key decision makers on their turf. You won't look at grassroots advocacy the same way again. Click here for a sample workshop agenda. How does it Work? Having formally requested an advocacy training workshop, the Chapter will be contacted to begin the process of coordinating the workshop preferably in close coordination with the chapter or branch that is in closest proximity to the capital. Wherever possible, USGBC will cover the costs of both bringing staff and consultant(s) to your state capital, and also the meeting space, food and drink. We welcome effective donated spaces, and recommendations for affordable and green catering. Host chapter(s) are expected to cover the costs of any outside meals, transportation or lodging for chapter attendees, and often have covered a reception or dinner for USGBC advocacy volunteers to socialize. Host chapters are also responsible for coordinating meetings with lawmakers for the advocacy in action segment of the agenda. [Note: In states with multiple chapters, all chapters will be engaged in the planning process and will send appropriate chapter leaders and members to the training so as to maximize the benefit of the workshop for all advocates working collaboratively in your state.]

2 How to Request an Advocacy Training for your State: As part of our continuing efforts to build chapter advocacy capacity, USGBC is working hard to provide the fundamental and advanced resources necessary to leverage the efforts of our invaluable volunteers. In 2012 we will continue to offer monthly opportunities for engagement, best-practice sharing and awareness of the evolving policy and political landscapes. In-person trainings are a significant investment of USGBC resources in chapter advocacy capacity. For this reason it is critical to ensure that minimum expectations are met. By requesting an advocacy training workshop, you agree to: Commit your key advocacy leaders and key membership (think: 20-30) to the full workshop (can be as robust as 2 full days) Meet with and deliver the green building message to state legislators and/or key public officials, and continue to remain engaged in follow-up and new campaigns Play a leadership role in coordinating logistics for the training Have read, circulated and discussed the 2012 USGBC Chapter Advocacy Planning Guide prior to the workshop Please contact Jeremy Sigmon (jsigmon@usgbc.org) to start the process. The best way to build the case for a workshop in your state is through the Advocacy Training Request Form (see next page). The Request Form will help your advocacy committee assess its needs, help USGBC build the training workshop that is right for you and your green building advocacy organization. What your USGBC colleagues had to say: One of the best workshops I have attended as a marketing professional. Great speakers, great format, highly engaging. A terrific model for what a successful workshop looks like. Texas 2008 (hosted by North Texas Chapter) We will definitely use the interpersonal skills discussed and credibility builders. Also we will apply the advocacy road map plan to sell clients on building better buildings. Colorado 2008 (hosted by Colorado Chapter) You did a commendable job of addressing and holding the interest of different experience levels in the audience. It was very good, and much more than I expected. Be a part of the Vision: California 2008 (hosted by Northern California Chapter) Buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation.

3 USGBC Advocacy Training Request Form USGBC Advocacy staff understands that each chapter is unique in its level of advocacy capacity, member experience and perceived ability to represent the U.S. Green Building Council in front of elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels. While there are basic tenets of the USGBC advocacy curriculum that all chapters will be exposed to, we want to provide a workshop customized to your current advocacy capabilities. USGBC is able to offer a limited number of workshops in 2012, so please note that the application process is competitive. To request a workshop, please complete and return this form to Jeremy Sigmon as early as possible to begin planning. When filling out this form, please be mindful that we will value informed and concise answers. In some cases questions here may reflect information that you have already conveyed to the national office. For the sake of consistency and simplicity, we would appreciate if you could summarize your responses to all questions in the form below. Thank you for your application. We look forward to working with you! Tell us about your Chapter s advocacy organization and advocate volunteers: Describe the structure, size and capacity of your chapter s Advocacy Committee. Please note any specific roles or functions of seats on the committee, your relationship to the Chapter Green Schools Committee or other structural information. a. In states with multiple chapters, please describe the working relationship and coordination advocacy committees of other chapters. Do you have chapter members who have relationships with legislators on committees that have jurisdiction over green building issues? (e.g. Energy, Commerce, Ways & Means, Transportation, Education )

4 Has your chapter been actively involved in the promotion and/or passage of green building legislation at the state level? If so, please describe the legislation and your involvement: Tell us about your state s political climate: Please provide your summary of the political climate in your state. (You may want to consider such questions as: how bad is your state s budget deficit? What is the political party breakdown in your state Governor, State House, State Senate? What is your sense of how our green building message is being received across the state?) What other interest groups have you noticed are engaged on green building advocacy in your state and with which groups do you interact? Please tell us about your chapter s advocacy experiences: What are the biggest challenges you face relative to grassroots advocacy? What impediments, if any, exist that impact your ability to address these challenges?

5 What has been your most positive grassroots advocacy experience? Please tell us about what you re looking for in a USGBC Advocacy Training Workshop: What is the most important thing you want to get from your USGBC advocacy workshop? We believe it s important to integrate application exercises in the workshop. What type of interaction do you prefer? You may check any and all options. Y/N Role playing Y/N Team goal setting Y/N Team advocacy brainstorming/planning Please provide any additional comments: