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2007 Annual Conference
IS’s lively Public Policy Action Institute helped senior- and mid-level policy advocates strengthen their ability to shape the laws and regulations affecting the nonprofit community. Participants in the Institute developed strategies for addressing key nonprofit policy issues and also used this opportunity to connect with other advocates. This year’s program included a series of sessions, based on a research-tested message platform, that are designed to help nonprofits communicate more effectively with lawmakers and media.
Day 1: Strategies that Advance Your Public Policy Initiatives
Day 2: Communications that Build Support
for Your Public Policy Work
Special registration is required.
Full Institute (Days 1 and 2): $125 IS members and $175 nonmembers.
Day 1 only: $75 IS members and $100 nonmembers.
Day 2 only: $75 IS members and $100 nonmembers.
To register for the Public Policy Action Institute, see registration information.
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| 10:00 a.m. |
Welcome, Introductions
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| 10:15 a.m. |
The National Nonprofit Policy Framework
Since the passage in 2006 of the most substantive changes to federal laws regulating charitable activities in thirty years, Congress and federal regulatory bodies have launched a number of initiatives that affect our organizations and our donors. Learn about the latest developments in Congress and the IRS and what we can anticipate going forward.
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| 11:00 a.m. |
Making the Case for Tax Exemption
Federal, state, and local lawmakers are seriously questioning the types of organizations and activities that should be exempt from taxes and eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Participants will review arguments nonprofits have put forward to support their continued tax-exempt status, and discuss how individual organizations and our community as a whole should anticipate and respond to these challenges.
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Noon
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Lunch and Learn: A Policy Smorgasbord
Choose from a broad selection of tabletop discussions to share lessons and learn from experts on such topics as voter engagement, election do’s and don’ts, lobbying rules, crafting the nonprofit policy agenda, working with contract lobbyists, and many others.
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| 1:00 p.m. |
Getting Your Board and Donors Engaged in Public Policy
Successful public policy programs enjoy the full support of the organization’s board and major supporters, yet many boards of foundations and charities are reluctant to engage in policy advocacy. Key leaders will share their experiences in persuading their boards to get involved in public policy and discuss strategies that have -- and haven’t -- worked.
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2:15 p.m.
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Conversation with Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA) is a leading voice on the House of Representatives’ Budget and Ways and Means Committees. He will share thoughts on the current congressional agenda and how nonprofits can engage effectively in shaping that agenda.
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| 3:00 p.m. |
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Advocacy Strategies
The funding of advocacy work can be a challenge for grantmakers and advocates alike. A central concern of both groups is evaluating these activities – how best to measure the effectiveness of policy work when results often appear only in the long-term? Leading this conversation will be funders, evaluators, and advocacy groups that have used techniques to measure public policy actions in a way that helps develop and refine advocacy strategies and goes beyond satisfying board members’ and funders’ desires for quantifiable results.
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| 4:00 p.m. |
Preparing for the 2008 Elections
How can the nonprofit community raise awareness of our issues and educate voters during the 2008 election cycle? Learn about some exciting new efforts nonprofits are undertaking and share your own ideas about how our community should get involved.
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| 5:30 p.m. |
Adjourn to Networking Reception, Bel-Air Room, California Level
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| 8:00 a.m.
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Continental Breakfast
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| 8:15 a.m. |
Welcome and Day One Recap
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| 8:30 a.m.
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A New Framework for Policy Communications
New research commissioned by Independent Sector provides insights about how community leaders, congressional offices, and policy influencers view nonprofit organizations and their advocacy efforts. Participants will discuss the research findings and the resulting message framework, which has been developed to emphasize our strengths and address concerns policy makers have shared about our community.
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10:00 a.m.
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Using the Framework to Strengthen Your Policy Messages
Through group and individual exercises, participants will develop messages for specific policy campaigns targeted to key elected officials and opinion makers. We will evaluate the resulting ideas and examine how the message framework can strengthen the communications and advocacy strategies our organizations use to advance our policy goals.
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| 11:30
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Next Steps for the Communications Initiative and Wrap-Up
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Noon
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ADJOURN
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I found the Public Policy Action Institute informative and beneficial in aiding directors such as myself to strengthen lobbying and advocacy efforts in our home states. The tips and strategies I gained helped me better prepare for the legislative session in my state.
- Karen Beavor, CEO, Georgia Center for Nonprofits
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