AGE-FRIENDLY ADVOCACY 101MEDIA STRATEGIES & STORYTELLING FOR CHANGE
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL
MAY 5, 2023
9:00 - 3:30
It’s time to elevate aging
From a tour of the Minnesota State Capitol, lunch from Afro Deli, and guest speakers who were passionate experts, attendees developed a new level of confidence in advocacy as well as how to effectively tell their stories with lawmakers and the media.
We especially encouraged Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to register.
We were able to offer a stipend to help cover up to $100 in expenses associated with attending (e.g. parking fees, transportation, lost wages, child care, etc.).
Help us champion aging as a policy priority!
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Gain a practical understanding of Minnesota's state legislative environment and your power as a citizen advocate
- Demystify the legislative process by reviewing how an idea can become a law and representation at the local, state and federal levels
- Gain strategies to ensure successful legislative relationships and meetings
- Learn proven approaches to effectively connect with policymakers, the media, and engage others
- Empower more BIPOC advocacy representation of underserved communities at the State Capitol
- Learn how to develop your message and tell your story
- Understand and learn how to get more earned media and free publicity
AGENDA
8:30 a.m. Registration and Welcome
9:00 a.m. Program Begins
- Advocacy 101
- Who Represents Me?
- Media Strategies and Storytelling for Change
- How a Bill Becomes a Law
- Legislative and Advocacy Guests
12:00 noon Lunch Break and Capitol Tour
Lunch provided by Afro Deli
1:30 p.m. Program Resumes
- How a Bill Becomes a Law
- Meeting with your Legislators and Helpful Hints
- Media Strategies and Storytelling for Change
- Nonpartisan Voter Engagement and Coalition Work
3:30 noon Program Adjourn
PROGRAM FACULTY
List of Services
-
ERIN SUTTON
Senior Director of Advocacy
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Erin directs the engagement of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota with policymakers and community partners on public policy priorities. In this role, her efforts center around practical solutions to strengthen resources, inspire hope, change lives and build community. An experienced advocate, she works across communities and with elected officials to develop and champion policies at both the state and federal level. She also works to strengthen advocacy capacity of stakeholders and community leaders. Prior to this work, she engaged in advocacy as a birth doula and educator with individuals experiencing incarceration during the childbearing year and with unhoused families.
-
PAUL SLACK
Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Social Justice
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Paul works to improve practices that promote diversity, inclusion and social justice at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. He collaborates on recruitment and development strategies to ensure equity and opportunity as well as fosters relationships with diverse external stakeholders. Prior to this work, Paul served in pastoral ministries for more than 30 years in several regions of the U.S. and is a past board president for ISAIAH, a multi-racial, statewide, nonpartisan coalition of faith communities. He also serves on the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council, which advises the Commissioner of Human Services on reducing disparities that affect cultural and ethnic communities throughout Minnesota.
-
LILY HIJAZI-SACAY
Advocacy Manager
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Lily works as a member of the advocacy team for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, where she designs systems and implements plans to connect people to elected officials, including nonpartisan voter engagement, advocacy trainings, and representing the organization at the state legislature. Prior to this work, Lily most recently worked as a Program Manager for Forward Global Women, where she managed public events and education for women leaders from the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States as peacebuilders as well as serving as Advocacy Coordinator at Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and a Project Organizer for Education Minnesota.
-
ADAM SUOMALA
Executive Director
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging
Adam serves as president and executive director for the state's largest collaboration working to elevate aging as a state policy priority. For more than two decades, he has been a passionate advocate, community organizer and educator on aging topics at the Minnesota State Capitol. He also convenes the Finish Strong Funders Network and staffs the Minnesota Diverse Elders Coalition.
List of Services
-
CHAO YANG
Director of Equity
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging
Chao serves as the Director of Equity, where she leads the overall development and implementation of strategic projects for both the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging and the Minnesota Diverse Elders Coalition. In this role, she champions diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities in which to age as well as ensuring coordinated age-friendly systems.
-
NICOLE STOCKERT
Director of Legislative and External Affairs
Aging and Adult Protection Services
Minnesota Department of Human Services
-
THE HONORABLE SANDRA L. PAPPAS
Minnesota State Senator
District 65, DFL
AUDIENCE
All are welcome at our events. We especially encourage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to register. This program was built for individuals serving in a variety of roles across Minnesota's aging sector, with a particular emphasis on people working with underserved communities. You did not need to be a Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging member to register for this event.
REGISTRATION FEE
This program was provided at no cost thanks to an Age-Friendly Minnesota Technical Assistance Provider grant.
Registration was required to receive agenda materials and ensure meal counts and comfortable seating.
STIPENDS
Stipends are being processed by adam@mnlcoa.org.
CERTIFICATE + DIGITAL BADGE
A printable certificate of attendance and a digital badge are available to all registered attendees.
This program has been designed to meet CEU approval criteria for the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is an approved provider of continuing education for the Minnesota Board of Social Work. Participants may attend the live session to earn 5 CEUs.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
This program powered by
This program sponsored through a Technical Assistance Grant by
