Grassroots Advocacy Training of Trainers Initiative

The deadline for the 2011 Training of Trainers has passed. Thank you for applying.

Advocacy has been the cornerstone of PTA since its founding. National PTA recognizes the importance of advocacy and the need to expand advocacy expertise throughout its large network of members. We seek to use the Grassroots Advocacy Training of Trainers as a tool to achieve this goal.

The purpose of the Training of Trainers (ToT) is to provide training tools for a cadre of PTA leaders and members in their states on how to execute effective grassroots advocacy campaigns that promote the National PTA federal public policy agenda.

The training and the materials attendees will receive were developed by Natonal PTA in partnership with the Midwest Academy. Since its founding in 1973, the Midwest Academy has become one of the nation’s premier grassroots training organizations. Its clients include the National Education Association, the American Cancer Society, and AARP.    

Modules

The training consists of five modules. The modules are Strategy, Coalition Building, Recruitment, Media, and Meeting with Decision Makers. Role play tactics are used within each module to provide participants with practices on how to both train others on each module and on how to execute tactics covered within each module.

Strategy: This module is the foundation of the training and all other modules stem from it. Within the strategy module, participants learn how to think strategically, rather than tactically in organizing a local and systematic plan to execute an issue campaign. This module outlines key components in strategy as well as how strategy is influenced by power relationships.

Coalition Building: This module trains participants on the advantages and disadvantages of coalitions, how to build a coalition, how to analyze and work with potential allies, and how organizational and self-interest impacts coalition building.

Recruitment: This module educates participants on effective ways to recruit, engage, and retain volunteers.

Media: This module highlights how participants can use media to advance an issue campaign. It discusses different kinds of media, how to engage the media, self-interests in media, and how to avoid key media mistakes.

Meeting with Decision Makers: This module trains participants on how to schedule, plan, conduct, and follow up with meetings with decision makers.  This module outlines how to gain support from decision makers, establish rapport with decision makers, as well as how to manage and work with unsupportive decision makers.

Desired Outcome

In contrast to a training, where the goal is for those who attend to develop certain skills, the goal of a ToT is to be able to train others. Attendees will come away from the ToT with a resource book designed to allow them to replicate the ToT in their states and local districts.

Criteria

State and local PTA members with introductory advocacy experience and who have an interest in expanding their advocacy network in their states and local districts are encouraged to apply (no nomination needed). National PTA will attempt to select applicants that represent a range of geographical locations; however, this is dependent on the amount of applications received.

Only PTA members from PTA units/congresses in good standing may apply. Applications must be submitted online and must follow all application requirements. Any application that does not fulfill all application requirements will not be considered. Complete application packets will include:

• Completed cover sheet (filled out online)
• A response for each of the application questions listed below (not to exceed 500 words each)
• Supportive documentation: A draft plan of action (1000 words or less) of how the ToT initiative will be sustained in your PTA state/local unit or congress. This plan should include projected annual goals and numbers of how many new advocates will be trained.

While all PTA leaders are eligible to apply, special priority will be given to those advocates that have been previously unable to attend advocacy trainings held in conjunction with the annual National PTA Legislative Conference. 

Selection Process and Logistics

The final selection of the 10 state or local leaders that will attend the National PTA 2011 ToT will be made by the National PTA Legislation Committee, in conjunction with the National PTA public policy staff. National PTA will cover the travel, room, and board* for each applicant selected.

Each application will be scored utilizing a scoring rubric totaling 100 points. Questions and the points associated are outlined below.

The 2011 Training of Trainers session will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2011 and the morning of Sunday, December 11, 2011 at the National PTA Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The session will meet from 8:00 a.m. until approximately 5:00 p.m. Participants travelling to the session from out of town will need to arrive on Friday, December 9 with a departure from Reagan National no earlier than 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 11.

Award Application Questions

Prepare brief responses for the following questions with as much specificity as possible. We suggest that you compose these answers first and then cut-and-paste your answers into the appropriate fields in the online application.

1. In 500 words or less, please explain the specific areas in which your state/local PTA unit hopes to expand its advocacy capacity.  Please incorporate which of the five training of trainer’s modules each area relates to your plan. (15 points)

2. In 500 words or less, describe any obstacles to expanding your state/local unit’s PTA advocacy network and clearly explain how you plan to overcome those obstacles. (30 points)

3. In 500 words or less, please explain your role in your local/state PTA unit and how you will utilize your role to increase your PTA unit’s advocacy capacity (note: you do not need to be an officer in your state or local PTA unit)  (15 points)

4. Supplemental material: In 1,000 words or less, please outline your plan of action, including how the ToT initiative will be sustained in your PTA state/local unit or congress after you receive this training. This plan should include projected annual goals, the projected number of advocates to be trained, as well as methods used. (40 points)