When: Thursday, February 9th, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: State House, Montpelier VT
Toolkit_Legislative_Day_2012 (PDF)
What’s Happening? This year marks Common Good Vermont’s third annual Vermont Nonprofit Day, a unique opportunity for nonprofit organizations, activists and community leaders from across the state and to unify across sectors and raise awareness about the crucial role nonprofits play in supporting communities, strengthening our economy and making Vermont a better place to live. Register Today
Why attend? As a follow up to November’s Vermont Lobbying & Communications Bootcamp, this event is a must for any organization that wants to boost their relationship with legislators, raise their profile and promote stronger, unified nonprofit sector in Vermont.
The Vermont Legislature is already heating up. Big issues include the the cost of Irene clean-up, health care, the budget and more! In the face of critical budget discussions and change in the State House, Vermont’s nonprofits can use this opportunity to demonstrate our value and visibility as force for good to our elected officials! Register Today
Toolkit_Legislative_Day_2012(PDF) – Online Version
Participating in Vermont Nonprofit Day 2012 at the State House provides unique opportunities to interact with state government and to network with other nonprofits from across Vermont. Common Good Vermont will host activities from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., including:
- Common Good Vermont’s Annual Meeting
- Update on pertinent issues facing Vermont nonprofits
- Opportunities for participants to testify and sit-in on legislative committee meetings
- Networking lunch time in the State House Cafeteria
- Advocacy best practices Q & A with professional organizers and legislators
- Meeting with Governor Peter Shumlin on the challenges facing Vermont nonprofits
Who’s Coming? All nonprofit staff, board members volunteers and friends are invited to attend this yearly event. Come network with colleagues and legislators, learn about important issues that have direct bearing on your work and experience the legislative process under the Golden Dome! Register Today
Your Next Step: Please Register online . If you have questions, please contact Nick Carter, Coordinator@CommonGoodVT.org or at 802.862.1645 x12.
How You Can Help!
- Wanted: Nonprofits to Testify: This year, we are looking for 25 (or more) nonprofit leaders who wish to make their work known by testifying in Legislative Committees on February 9th. We want to work with you to make an effective presentation so that we can raise the profile of your organization and shine a light on the vital importance of Vermont’s nonprofit sector. Testifiers will be coached throughout the whole process and this is a really great oppo rtunity to get your name, organization and cause on legislator’s radar. If interested, please contact Nick Carter of Common Good Vermont, (802) 862 – 1645 ext.21
- Nonprofit Day State House Attendee Toolkit: Make the most of the day! The Toolkit will include tips for scheduling visits with legislators, a Legislative Directory and Committee Schedule, ideas to help you educate legislators about the nonprofit sector and the work of your organizati on, recommendations for using social media, a press kit to notify local media and your constituents of your participation, and more! If you have resources to add, please let us know!Legislative Day Toolkit(PDF) – Online Version
- Exhibitors Wanted: Space is limited in Room 11, so let us know NOW if your organization wants to display materials that shows off your nonprofit and represent the diversity and value of the sector. Room 11 in the State House will be the jump-off for Vermont Nonprofit Day activity. If you would like to be considered, please contact Nick Carter, (802) 862 – 1645 ext. 21. T he deadline for tabling is Monday, January 31st.
Unify as a Sector: We are all working to meet or goals and mission throughout the year but but Vermont Nonprofit Day is a unique, once-a-year opportunity for nonprofits to collectively raise awareness of the sector, as well as an opportunity to promote our organizations individually. Please take seriously the call to testify at a committee on that day Register Today
Helpful Resources
In the meantime, check out these helpful legislative resources from the 2011 Vermont Nonprofit Lobbying & Communications Bootcamp
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Registration (Room 10, First Floor)
9:00 – 9:15 a.m. – Common Good Vermont Annual Meeting (Room 11, First Floor)
9:15 – 9:25 a.m. - Opening Remarks with Speaker of the House Shap Smith
9:25 – 10:15 a.m. - Nonprofit Legislative Briefing (Room 11, First Floor) Panelists: Jessica Oski/ Sirotkin & Necrason , Mark Larson/ Commissioner of VT Dept. of Health Access, Todd Bailey, KSE Partners
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. – Preview of the Days’ Schedule. & How To: Fan Out, Learn, Be Known
Presenting: Liz Schlegel, Central Vermont Community Action Council
Andrew Maclean, Maclean, Meehan & Rice, LLC
10: 30 – 12:00 p.m.- Committee Visits with Standing Committees of the House and
Standing Committees of the Senate
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Networking Lunch & Meetings with Legislators (Cafeteria, 2nd Floor)
1:00 – 1:15 p.m. – Devotional Reading, Peter Gilbert, VT Humanities Council (House Chamber, 2nd Fl.)
1:20 – 2:30 p.m. Secrets of Successful Advocacy (Room 11, First Floor) Panelists: Sheila Reed/Associate Director of Voices for Vermont’s Children, James Haslam,/Director of VT Worker’s Center, Floyd Nease/ Director of VT Association for Mental Health, Jacqueline Majoros,/State Ombudsman for VT Legal Aid
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Meeting with Governor Peter Shumlin: Challenges Facing the Nonprofit Sector (Room 11)
View Past Nonprofit Days:
- VT Lobbying & Communications Bootcamp – 11/15/2011
- 2nd Annual Vermont Nonprofit Day at the State House Part I – 02/9/11
- 2nd Annual Vermont Nonprofit Day at the State House Part II – 02/09/09
- 1st Annual Vermont Nonprofit Day at the State House- 02/07/08OUR SPONSORS:
