Blueprint for California Advocates Newsletter

Hi Reader, There's less than three weeks to go before Election Day which means it's a perfect time to slap on your tennies and do your part to say no to the politics of fear and ignorance and show up for leaders who will fight to uplift and protect ALL communities. Want to kick fascism to the curb but unsure how? No problem! Sign up now to talk to voters in your neighborhood or across California. Knock on doors, send texts, or make phone calls📱. Sound scary? Contact your local campaign office...

Hi Reader, Consider the California Capitol a marketplace of ideas. And like any marketplace, advocates (sellers) compete with hundreds of other interest groups for lawmakers' (buyers) attention. Persuading lawmakers to champion your cause or simply to vote yes on your legislation is no small task. That means your message must be consistent, clear, and compelling. That starts with understanding your target audience - legislators, administrators, staffers - and what they care about. These folks...

Hi Reader, Happy International Workers' Day! Today is May Day - a day in which we honor the sacrifices of those who came before us to fight for workplace rights and protections many of us take for granted today. International Workers Day dates back to May 1, 1886, when workers around the country declared a general strike to demand an 8-hour workday - a radical demand at a time when 12 -16-hour shifts were the norm. Over time and with much struggle, workers in most industries won a standard 8...

Hi Reader, If you've ever worked to pass legislation at the federal or state level - or even at your local City Council - you know one thing to be true: It's really, really hard. Especially if lawmakers are not sympathetic to your cause. Bottom line: Advocates need all the help we can get! If you're nodding your head, then pull out those ear buds because the latest episode of the Blueprint for California Advocates podcast is just for you. Watch or Listen Now I had the honor of talking with...

Hi Reader, It's the end of March and at the Capitol policy and budget committee hearings have kicked into high gear. There are 5 more months to go before the end of session, and I don't know about you but I'm exhausted. It's no wonder when you consider 2,124 new bills were introduced in the California Legislature this year. That's not including legislation carried over from last year ("Two-year bills"), budget proposals, or the "gut and amends" (when bills are amended to remove their original...

Hi Reader, Let me just say - Last month's event at storied civic engagement venue Manny's to talk about my new book Changemaker was pure magic. The opportunity to reflect on lessons learned over 13 years of advocacy in Sacramento and sharing the stage with our dynamic State Controller Malia Cohen is something I won't soon forget. I walked away with profound gratitude and a lifted spirit. THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the night a success 🙏🏼. Now, I'm thrilled to share our conversation...

Hi Reader, You may have heard about the “creator economy” and think it has nothing to do with you or your advocacy work. It’s time to think again. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Ashwath Narayanan, Co-founder & CEO at Social Currant, a Gen-Z-led, DC-based service that matches social impact organizations with mission-aligned influencers and content creators across social media platforms. In today’s episode, Ashwath and I discuss how California advocates can leverage emerging tools...

Hi Reader, As the California legislative session kicks into high gear, the Blueprint for California Advocates podcast is back with a deep dive into a key milestone of the legislative process: policy committees. In the first episode of Season 4, I have the great honor of speaking with California Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-33), hailing from the great city of Long Beach. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Gonzalez shares her unique insights into the policy committee process....

Hi Reader, I'm bursting at the seams. Over the last year, I've dedicated time to writing down my hard-earned lessons on effective lobbying to share with advocates like you working to create positive change in California. Finally, I am thrilled to announce my first book drops on November 29th! Changemaker: An Insider's Guide to Getting Sh*t Done at the California Capitol What experts are saying about Changemaker: "...the guidebook all lobbyists wish they had when first starting out." - Angie...

Hi Reader, Have you ever given your most passionate, well-rehearsed pitch for a bill during a lobby visit, only to find the lawmaker or staff barely listening? You look up to find them with eyes glazed over or worse checking their phone as you speak. It’s happened to me and let’s just say I’ve left those meetings frustrated and deflated. So what can advocates do to keep our audience engaged and open? In today's podcast, I'm thrilled to introduce you to groundbreaking communicator and...