Spring Housing Training

loren — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:55:09 +0000

The “Changing the Face of Housing” Initiative and The Public Policy Project offer the first of our two housing policy training sessions for housing sector staffs, Boards of Directors and tenants; especially low-wealth and people of color. The program consists of eight evening sessions (from 6:30-9:30 PM on Monday nights beginning March 2, 2009, plus an eight week applied practice field work experience and participation in a final follow-up session Monday, June 22, 2009. The training sessions will be held at the Jewish Community Action office at 2375 University Avene (just East of University and Raymond) in St. Paul. We take 20 registrations on a first come, first served basis. You must be at the first session to participate and cannot miss more than two sessions. Participation in the eight week applied practice campaign is required to complete your training. Here is the Training Schedule: Meeting one: Behind the Public Policy Curtain - March 2^nd 6:30 - 9:30 PM - This session focuses the concept and language of public policy. It introduces participants to each other and provides an overview of what the public policy process is and does. Meeting two: Public Policy effects - March 9^th 6:30 - 9:30 PM - This session examines key historical housing policies and practices and their effects, especially on low-wealth and communities of color. Meeting three: A closer look - March 16^th 6:30 - 9:30 PM - This session examines the impact of a specific housing policy and the related issues in the Twin Cities. Meeting four: Principles of Advocacy - March 23rd 6:30 - 9:30 PM - This session focuses on how to organize advocacy campaigns around housing issues. Legislative field trip - arranged - We take participants to directly observe the housing policy-making process by the City of Minneapolis, St Paul or the Metropolitan Council. Meeting five: Tools of Advocacy - March 30^th 6:30 - 9:30 PM - This session will focus on how we respond to different values or approaches to advocacy. What is our self-interest and what is the common good? We will examine housing coalition partnerships as an advocacy model. Meeting Six: Lobbying - April 6^th 6:30 - 9:30 PM - This session will focus on the role of lobbyist (resident, organizational or professional) and relationship to elected officials. What does each do? What rules govern a lobbyist’s work. Meeting seven: Public Policy Makers - April 13^th 6:30 - 9:30 PM - Participants will meet with decision-makers at the city, county, Met Council and State levels. Meeting eight: Issues Selection and Implementation - April 20^th 6:30 - 9:30 PM - Participants identify a critical housing policy issue of their choice to work on collectively for the 8 weeks of applied practice. Two-month field experience - We provide technical assistance as the participants work on their chosen housing policy issue. Follow Up Meeting and Graduation - June 22^nd 6:30-8:00 PM - The final session evaluates the success of the fieldwork and provides a graduation ceremony with certificates and a celebratory meal. For more information or to register call Loren @ 651-271-6349 or James @ 612-722-1677.

The Public Policy Project » Community Building

Spring Housing Training