“Effective Communication with Legislators” workshop answers: “How do I get these people to listen to me??”

The Evergreen State College MPA Alumni Association announces a workshop to help people work more effectively with their legislators.

“Effective Communication with Legislators (or, How do I get these people to listen to me??)” will help public and nonprofit administrators and concerned citizens make their voices heard with their elected officials.  Topics will include:

• How does the legislature make decisions?
• When, how and why to communicate with legislators and legislative staff
• How to write and deliver effective testimony
• Letters, phone calls, emails, personal visits—what works?

The workshop is aimed at government and nonprofit agency staff, volunteer advocates, and interested citizens who have limited experience in working with legislators and legislative staff.  It’s scheduled to coincide with the January 8 convening of the Legislature.

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The workshop will be led by Evergreen State College MPA faculty members Nita Rinehart and Russ Lehman.  Nita was a Member of the Washington Legislature for sixteen years and served as Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.  She was named #1 Effective Legislator in a Seattle Times poll.  She has earned bachelors degrees from Southern Methodist University, a J.D. degree from the University of Washington, and a certificate from Harvard University’s JFK School of Government.  Russ has been a policy analyst, lobbyist, and legal counsel to state legislatures in Washington and Connecticut.  He was an Executive Policy Advisor to Governor Mike Lowry.  He currently serves as Managing Director of the First American Education Project, and as President of the Olympia School District Board of Directors.  He has a bachelors degree from the University of Colorado and a J.D. degree from Antioch School of Law (University of the District of Columbia).

When:   Saturday, January 20, 2007

        8:30 am—sign in

        9:00 am–12:00 noon—workshop

Where:  Hearing Room A

        John L. O’Brien Building

        (just south of the Capitol)

        Olympia

Fee for the workshop is $85.00.  All proceeds from the workshop will go to the MPA Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Participation is limited, so register early!  For more information or a registration form, visit our website at www.evergreen.edu/mpa/legislators.htm, or call Mary McGhee at (360) 867-6554, or email mcgheem@evergreen.edu.