Government Neighborhoods  

County Accepting Applications for Advocacy Training

The County’s Community Action Board (CAB), which works with low-income residents, offers free advocacy training through the Community Advocacy Institute (CAI).

The training program, founded in 2016, aims to educate and provide participants with advocacy skills to improve their communities. Montgomery County residents with a combined household income of $64,000 or less qualify to participate in the institute.

Applications are being accepted for the eight-month training program that teaches participants how to advocate for policy change. Orientation takes place on Saturday, Oct. 7.

The eight-month-long program teaches participants how to work with elected officials, write letters, develop testimony and research key advocacy issues. Participants must attend monthly workshops and complete an advocacy project—testifying before the County Council or submitting written testimony to the Council.

The program’s nine workshops will be a mix of virtual and in-person sessions. Many of the workshops will be conducted on Zoom. Participants need access to the internet and a device (preferably a computer or tablet). The CAI is a bilingual program in English and Spanish.

Applications are due Friday, August 18. For more information, call the Community Action Agency at 240-777-1697.

Schedule of Workshops

October 7, 12 – 3 pm, In-person Orientation
November 4, 12 – 3 pm, Virtual Workshop #1 Advocacy 101
December 9, 12 – 3 pm, Virtual Workshop #2 Exploring the Issues
January 6, 12 – 3 pm, Virtual Workshop #3 Storytelling and Research
February 3, 12 – 3 pm, Virtual Workshop #4 The Nuts and Bolts of Advocacy
March 2, 12 – 3 pm, In-person Testimony Practice Session #1
March 23, 12 – 3 pm, In-person Testimony Practice Session #2
April 29, 6 – 8 pm, Virtual Session – Next Steps for Your Advocacy
May 21, 6 – 8 pm, In-person Graduation Ceremony

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