Rescheduled for February 26, 2013 

The sweeping changes in today's global economy have created new ways of thinking for nonprofit organizations that are providing critical programs and services to their communities. Today, many nonprofits are embracing educational advocacy as an effective approach to building public and private support for the sustainability of their mission and organization. Mastering the ability to develop a successful educational advocacy platform, whether the organization is small, mid-size or large, is vital for sustainable success for nonprofits in the 21^st century. This workshop will equip participants with strategies, useful insights, tools and skills to prepare them to effectively engage in advocacy activities that support the vision, mission, and values of their organization.

By the end of this workshop participants will:

· gain a greater awareness of the consequences when nonprofits do not participate in advocacy

· understand how nonprofits can legally participate in advocacy and lobbying

· explore the key elements of successful educational advocacy platforms and how to measure various components of advocacy

· discover techniques to engage their entire organization – including volunteers and supporters in the role they can play in advocacy

· learn how to design the "so-what” into their advocacy message

· develop tools to build collaborations, engage allies and learn how to effectively counter your opponents' position

Click here for the Workshop Outline     

Tuition: $60 Members, $110 Non-members

Instructor: Linda Alexionok: Executive Director of The Children's Campaign

Linda Alexionok is the Executive Director of The Children's Campaign and serves as the chief lobbyist for this statewide advocacy organization. Being a former public school teacher and community bank president, she brings a business-focused advocacy approach to public policy and legislation to improve the health, education, safety and well-being of Florida's children. Alexionok has guided efforts to secure bipartisan sponsors for legislation and has developed highly effective fiscal and economic models to demonstrate short and long-term benefits for investment in children.

Throughout her professional career, Linda has supported social justice, education and human service organizations. She was recognized by the American Institute of Banking as "Banker of the Year” and has chaired or been a member of several state and local nonprofit boards, including the American Heart Association, United Way of the Big Bend, the Girl Scouts Council of the Apalachee Bend, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, FSU College of Education, Zonta International and the Capital Women's Network. She currently serves as a director on the boards of the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Foundation and the FSU College of Communication and Information. Linda also is a member of the Family Economic Success, Child Welfare and Health Policy Advisory councils for Voices for America's Children.