AAM Announces Online Advocacy Training Series
Want to learn how to be a good advocate for your museum, but don’t have a lot of time? This fall, AAM will offer a FREE 4-part online series to help the museum field learn about advocacy for museums. Advocacy has repeatedly been identified as a critical area that the museum field wants to receive more training in. Every advocate’s voice makes a difference in our efforts to reach every Member of Congress about the value of museums.

AAM is pleased to be working with the Advocacy Guru Stephanie Vance to offer the following programs:

Description
In this online advocacy training session, we'll look at the basics of advocacy and its application to city hall, the state legislature and beyond. If you're wondering how to be more effective at making the case to elected officials and their staff, join this one hour session on the very basics of effective advocacy. Knowing what you want, who you're talking to, how to talk to them and how to follow-up are the basic rules.  Learn how to apply them for the benefit of your museum! 

Part 1 – Advocacy and Legislation 101 Online Training Session Recording
Advocacy and Legislation 101 Power Point

Description
In this online advocacy training session, we'll look at the U.S. budget and appropriations process, with an emphasis on learning how and when to weigh in.  Understanding the differences between the President's budget request, the Congressional budget process, and all the various appropriations bills can mean the difference between increased funding or decreased federal support for museums. Learn how and when to Speak Up in support of federal programs critical to museums. You can make a difference and this session will show you how!

Part 2 - Budget and Appropriations 101 Online Session Recording
Budget and Appropriations 101 Power Point

Description
Sometimes the most effective and efficient way to gain a policymaker's attention is to simply show them the benefits your museum brings to your community. In this online advocacy training session, we'll explore the best ways to introduce your museum to a range of elected officials. We'll look at options for putting together site visits, attending town hall meetings, engaging town boards and city councils, and working with local Congressional staff. We'll also discuss strategies for getting elected officials involved and engaged in your museum's activities.

PART 3 - Building Relationships with Elected Officials Online Session Recording
Building Relationships with Elected Officials Power Point

Description
In this online advocacy training session, we'll look at how to engage your museum’s visitors and supporters in the policy process. Your staff and visitors can be powerful advocates in supporting museum-friendly policies, whether at the local, state or federal level. We'll look at practical strategies for effective engagement, including real life examples from the museum world and online tools available through AAM’s advocacy website www.speakupformuseums.org.

PART 4 - Making Your Case 101 Online Session Recording
Making Your Case 101 Power Point

Help Us Sustain Critical Advocacy Programs
Your direct contribution to AAM Advocacy will help support our ongoing government relations efforts. These include working with Congress and federal agencies, conducting advocacy training sessions for the field—both online and at regional and state association meetings—maintaining AAM’s advocacy alert systems and the ability to look up and communicate with your legislators on this website. To make a donation to advance AAM’s field-wide advocacy efforts, click HERE.