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Morning Session:
In this course, participants will analyze some key questions: What makes an effective strategy? How do we build powerful coalitions? How do we choose the right legislative and policy interventions to solve seemingly intractable problems? Participants will look at the climate crisis as a case in point for developing tools that address large-scale problems. As one of the most vexing threats facing our society, and with many communities’ wellbeing and people’s livelihoods tied to the extraction, distribution, and burning of fossil fuels, how can we chart a path forward that is good for workers, communities, and the climate? Answering this question is central to the “climate jobs” approach, a strategic intervention that aims to tackle the climate crisis at the scale needed, while also engaging workers and frontline communities to build a more just, equitable society and economy. Participants will leave with critical skills and tools needed to effectively strategize and advocate for change in their given fields.
Afternoon Session:
Federal, state, and local laws can be powerful tools for affecting change in the world. However, the structure and complexity of legal rules can also be difficult to understand and put into action. This course will help you make sense of dense legal and regulatory systems that can often lead to conflicting goals, confusion about how the law is applied, and lack of awareness in the general public.
We will review how to read a statute and proposed regulations, as well as how to make comments on them so you can make your voice heard in the policymaking process. We will also review real world case studies exploring the role of law in social change efforts across domains such as employment, housing, education, and political participation. These case studies will help illustrate the utility (and limitations) of using law to make a difference. Interaction of federal, state, and local rules will be a particular focus.
Key outcomes
- Learn the fundamentals of building strategic partnerships to further your advocacy goals
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different strategies, tactics, and legislative/policy proposals
- Apply key learnings to a “climate jobs” case study and reflect on how those lessons can translate to your particular situation
- Learn to read and interpret statutes and proposed regulations to assess their meaning and practical implication
- Learn to write and submit effective public comments on proposed regulations as a means of civic engagement
- Evaluate the effectiveness of legal strategies for social change through case studies, with particular attention to the interplay between federal, state, and local laws.
Who should enroll
- Activists and community organizers
- Policymakers, government agency staff, and staff of elected officials
- Workforce development board members and staff
- Leaders and members of labor organizations
- Philanthropic foundation officers
- Nonprofit advocacy organization/community-based organization leaders and staff
- Disability service providers
- Private sector workplace change agents
Instructors
