With the historic transition of legislative leadership in West Virginia, it is critical, now more than ever, that nonprofits and foundations be prepared to participate in the state and federal legislative process in 2015.
Philanthropy WV, the state association of foundations and corporate giving, and the West Virginia Nonprofit Association are hosting their inaugural Policy Institute on Friday, Dec. 5, at the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston, inviting nonprofits and private, family, corporate and community foundation leaders (board members, committee members, CEOs, staff and volunteers) to develop their public policy advocacy and government relation skills.
“With many decisions being made on the state and federal level that impact charitable giving, nonprofit organization’s programs, and the well-being of our communities in West Virginia, the Policy Institute will provide ethical and effective practices and tips for nonprofits and foundations to use in their advocacy efforts,” says Paul D. Daugherty, president and CEO of Philanthropy WV.
“We are excited to have the National Council of Nonprofits President & CEO Tim Delaney joining us as our featured speaker as he brings great experience and passion for helping small, medium and large nonprofits and foundations to take an active role in working with their elected leaders,” adds Daugherty. “As many say, if you don’t have a seat at the table in public policy then you are most likely on the table.”
The Policy Institute is focused to assist those nonprofit and foundation leaders whether they are beginners to experts in public policy and government relations. The program includes:
• Opening Keynote: Tim Delaney, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits
• Ethical & Effective Public Policy Affairs Panel including representatives from business, labor, health, children and family programs, nonprofits and foundations
• Breakout workshop sessions on: (A) Beginner Track: Where to begin? Policy Work and being effective, (B) Moderate Track: Creating your policy strategy to deliver results, and (C) Expert Track: From Advocacy to Action: Federal & State Policy passage
• Invited Panel of West Virginia House & Senate Leadership along with media personalities to discuss “Looking Forward to the 2015 Legislative Session”
• Presentation of Philanthropy WV and the West Virginia Nonprofit Association’s 2015 Legislative Priorities
“One in every ten jobs in West Virginia’s workforce are in the nonprofit sector,” notes West Virginia Nonprofit Association Executive Director Laura Lee Haddad. This is a large part of our workforce and economic base, resulting in tremendous work that impacts multiple sectors from community development to combating poverty to public health to education to arts and culture. The Institute is a way that you can enhance your public policy and government relation skills to advocate for your nonprofit, foundation, and most importantly the citizens and communities of West Virginia.”
Space at the institute is limited. Registration is available by visiting: philanthropywv.org or wvnpa.org. The registration rate is $20 for Members of the two organizations or $40 for Non-Members. Deadline for Registrations is Wednesday, Dec. 3. A limited number of scholarships are available. Applications may be requested by emailing info@philanthropywv.org.