Impact & Empowerment: Why Nonprofits Can and Should Advocate

You will gain an understanding of how to effectively, and legally, advocate for your cause in time to be ready for the next session of the New Mexico State Legislature.  Come explore why advocacy and long-term policy change is critical to your mission.  We will discuss how to think strategically and long-term about your work, and gain practical hands-on advocacy skills which you can put to good use immediately.

The presentation blends advocacy and political theory with tangible information on IRS and New Mexico laws governing nonprofit advocacy.  It includes a brief history of New Mexico nonprofit politics since 2008, an explanation of how the New Mexico State Legislature operates, and hands-on practical skill-building.  This knowledge will help you maximize the impact of your advocacy work with New Mexico legislators and other decision-makers.

Learning Objectives
- Understand IRS and New Mexico nonprofit advocacy and lobbying laws
- Understand how to increase impact through advocacy and long-term strategies
- Know how to develop a clear, concise and effective message

Level
Intermediate

Audience
Executive Directors, Program Managers, Organizers and anyone working to affect change in their community.

Presenters
Ariel Bickel is a political and nonprofit consultant with a background in immigrant rights and the environment, however she works on all variety of social, environmental, and economic justice issues. She earned her Bachelor’s in Spanish from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO and specializes in organizing in Spanish-speaking communities. Ariel entered the world of civic engagement organizing in the 90’s, when she became involved in social justice issues, specifically immigrant rights. Since then, she has worked on numerous candidate and issue campaigns around New Mexico, most recently working on voting rights issues with rural communities in southern Doña Ana County. Ariel continues to develop her community organizing skills and public education tactics through her work, and is a member of the Wellstone Action national training team.

Erin Marshall is an independent consultant with more than 10 years experience as a public health specialist and has a Bachelor’s in Anthropology. She has worked as a lobbyist in the New Mexico Legislature and understands how policy-making works. In her work, Erin focuses largely on the intersection between health and natural and built environments. She has extensive fundraising and grant-writing experience, as well as an understanding of both political and organizing work. Aside from having fundraising and executive/project management experience, Erin is a known and trusted advocate around New Mexico, particularly in underserved and rural areas where health issues are critical. She spends a large portion of her time traveling around the state, cultivating new allies, building relationships and training communities how to become active in the political process.