LWVNJ Activist Training Program

The LWVNJ Activist Training Program is designed to equip members and volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out dynamic organizing strategies that can effectively influence public policy and the state of democracy in New Jersey.

Program participants will have the opportunity to hone their skills in three core areas:

Legislative Advocacy

Although ‘lobbying’ is sometimes met with suspicion or negative connotation, it is an essential part of successful advocacy for legislation. Broadly, lobbying is anything we do to convince officials to bring about change. Talking to legislators and making the case for your campaign is necessary to getting legislation passed or developed at any level of government to address the problem your campaign seeks to solve.

Find Legislative Advocacy Courses

Grassroots Organizing

Grassroots organizing builds community power for a campaign and is critical to advancing any cause. Incorporating grassroots organizing strategies into your advocacy campaign (legislative, educational, or electoral) will bring attention, support, and momentum to your efforts. Build the skills you need to confidently participate in LWVNJ organizing efforts and develop grassroots organizing strategies for your own campaigns.

Find Grassroots Organizing Courses

Voter Outreach

Voter outreach and voter education are essential to democratic elections. The election process is complicated, hard to find information about, and often very localized. Get Out the Vote is a widely implemented effort focused on increasing voter turnout. Build the skills you need to impactfully participate in Get Out the Vote events. Become an expert in all things GOTV and host your own Get Out the Vote event or build your own campaign. Learn from the League of Women Voters – a leader in voter information, voter registration, and voter outreach.

Find Voter Outreach Courses

2023 Spring Course Schedule

Training Area: Legislative Advocacy

Course

Introduction to the Legislative Process

Understanding the State Budget Process

Training Area: Grassroots Organizing

Course

Hyperlocal: Understanding Municipal and County Government

Municipal Resolutions

Citizen Journalism

Course

Training Area: Voter Outreach

Voter Registration

Workshop

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Action Workshops

Writing Budget Testimony

Level

Date

101

301

Level

102

301

302

Level

102

3/9/23

2/16/23

Date

4/26/23

5/10/23

5/22/23

Date

4/11/23

Date

3/2/23

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2023 Spring Course Schedule and Descriptions

Legislative Advocacy Courses

Introduction to the Legislative Process (101)

This training is perfect for anyone who is new to advocating for legislation or any veteran grassroots lobbyist looking for a refresher on how laws are made in the Garden State. Our trainers will provide an overview of the structure and powers of the New Jersey Legislature, explain how bills advance through each chamber, teach you how to research and track legislation, and let you know how you can start lobbying with the League.

Date/Time: March 9, 2023 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Location: Zoom

Understanding the Budget Process (301)

Each year the Executive and Legislative Branches work together to approve a new state budget and determine how the state’s resources will be allocated. This process is complex and can be difficult to follow.

During this training, our experts will walk you through how government agencies and the Office of Management and Budget collaborate to determine policy and program priorities, review important fiscal deadlines, and help you understand the ins-and-outs of this important government exercise.

Date/Time: February 16, 2023 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Location: Zoom

Grassroots Organizing Courses

Hyperlocal: Understanding Municipal and County Government (102)

Most people know that the actions that federal and state governments take can have major implications on the lives of millions of Americans. But what about local government?

In New Jersey, thousands of municipal and county government officials are responsible for making critical daily decisions and delivering essential services to the communities they serve. Despite the tremendous power that local government has over our daily lives, most people know little to nothing about what it does or how it works.

Join this training to learn about the structures and powers of the municipal and county government bodies that are making decisions for your community.

Date/Time: April 26, 2023 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Location: Zoom

Municipal Resolutions (301)

Looking for ways to make a difference in your community? As an activist, you can work with your local elected officials to adopt a municipal resolution.

In this training, you learn what municipal resolutions are, how to introduce a municipal resolution, and how they can be used to build support for your grassroots organizing campaign.

Date/Time: May 10, 2023 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Location: Zoom

Citizen Journalism (302)

Protecting the public’s right to know is integral to the health of our democracy and has been a League priority since our founding. Government decisions that determine how our schools are run, how community programs are funded, and how land in our towns is used impact our lives and are vital to our well-being. These decisions deserve to be made with public input and oversight.

In this training, we will explore how you can ensure your community is informed about government activities as a citizen journalist. You’ll learn how to attend public meetings and report what you observed to your neighbors.

Date/Time: May 22, 2023 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Location: Zoom

Voter Outreach Courses

Voter Registration (102)

The first step towards increasing voter turnout is registering voters. The Census Bureau estimated that in 2020, only 168.3 million people, or about two-thirds of the total voting-age population (66.7%) were registered to vote in 2020. Not only is there a large gap between eligible voters and registered voters, but new voters become eligible every day – maybe by celebrating a birthday, becoming a U.S. Citizen, or even moving to a new state where they need to re-register to vote.Until New Jersey passes measures like Same Day Voter Registration, voters need to register at least 21 days in advance of an election.

Join this training to learn the ins and outs of setting up voter registration events, best practices for capturing data for GOTV follow-up, and the most common questions that new voters will have for you.

Date/Time: April 11, 2023 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Location: Zoom

Action Workshops

During Action Workshops activists can apply skills they have developed by joining the League's ongoing advocacy efforts and voter education campaigns. Activists can play a key role in our state and local campaigns, help promote legislative efforts, and bring local voices to the conversation.

Each year the Executive and Legislative Branches work together to approve a new state budget and determine how the state’s resources will be allocated. In this Action Workshop, activists will learn how to write and deliver testimony for the public hearings on the state’s budget.
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You will learn how to prepare testimony (written and oral) for a public hearing and how you can use your voice to advocate for funding programs that are meaningful to you. You will receive fact sheets and other resources you can use to craft your testimony from the For the Many Coalition.

Budget Testimony Writing Workshop

Recommended Prerequisites: Before attending this workshop, we recommend you complete the “Introduction to the Legislative Process” and “Understanding the State Budget Process” trainings.

Date/Time: March 2, 2023 | 6:00PM
Location: Zoom