WVNPA/Philanthropy WV’s 3rd Annual Joint Policy Institute

Critical Partnerships for West Virginia’s Future

With the historic transition of executive and legislative leadership in West Virginia, it is critical, now more than ever, that nonprofits and foundations come together to establish relationships with new leadership for West Virginia’s future.

Join us for the Third Annual Policy Institute: Critical Partnerships for West Virginia’s Future, in Charleston, presented by the West Virginia Nonprofit Association and Philanthropy WV. The Institute is designed to support and engage foundation and nonprofit staff members, board members, volunteers, and supporters in the legislative and government relations process. This program is geared to everyone from beginners to experts with a desire to advocate for public policy issues that are of concern to your nonprofit, foundation and community.

Basic Agenda (click here for detailed agenda):

9:00 – 10:00 AM          Registration

10:00 – 10:10 AM         Opening State of the Sector Remarks – WV Nonprofit Association and Philanthropy WV

10:10 – 11:00 AM         What Do Changes in Washington Mean for West Virginia Nonprofits and Foundations? David Thompson, Vice President of Public Policy, National Council of Nonprofits
With the likely change from government gridlock to fast and furious legislating in Washington, many nonprofit and foundation professionals are anxious to see how the pieces fit together and where their advocacy efforts can promote positive solutions. David L. Thompson of the National Council of Nonprofits will provide insights on key issues affecting the work of our organizations, and our abilities to engage in the policy debates in a meaningful way.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM   What Does the Future Entail? A panel of leaders from the WV Senate, the WV House of Delegates, and the Governor’s administration.

12:00 – 1:30 PM             Lunch and Networking Roundtables
– Health
– Economic Development
– Environment
– Children & Families

1:45 – 2:45 PM               Breakout Sessions

#1: Using Your Data to Tell Your Story: Advocating for Your Mission, Ellen Allen of Covenant House
In this era of impacting economic inequality through initiatives to build community wealth, nonprofits must use traditional and nontraditional ways to measure their work, evaluate their contributions to the community, and tell their story in the context of community wealth. In this workshop you will learn about one nonprofit’s effort to advocate for their mission through effective and compelling story telling.

#2: WV Advocacy & Lobbying 101 (Ethics Commission and/or David Thompson)

#3: Debriefing Successful Policy Advocacy Efforts (Paul Daugherty and Stephen Smith)

2:45 – 3:15 PM              Closing Remarks and announcing plans for the formation of an Impact Commission

About the Presenters:

David L. Thompson is Vice President of Public Policy for the National Council of Nonprofits. Prior to joining the National Council in February 2010, David served as Director of Government Affairs at Independent Sector. He served in the public sector from 2001 to 2007 as a Senior Counsel and as Policy Director to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Before working on Capitol Hill, David directed federal policy for a consulting firm and practiced law for 17 years specializing in labor relations, employment law, government contracting, as well as government relations at the federal and state levels.

Ellen Allen is the Executive Director of Covenant House. Ellen owned her own businesses and worked in the environmental engineering field prior to stepping into the non-profit sector. Before joining Covenant House, Ellen served as Director of the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program in Charleston and the Executive Director of the Family Refuge Center in Lewisburg where she also served on the state Board of Directors for the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Foundation for Rape and Information Services. Her career in advocacy spans over 30 years. She was appointed by Governor Manchin to the WV Human Rights Commission and the WV Women’s Commission. A graduate of Concord College with a MBA from Averett University, Ellen enjoys travel, hiking and cycling and is the mother of Sarah Margaret Allen and married to Sue Julian.

Register: