Name: NAMI Smarts for Advocacy
Start: 2025-01-11T10:00:00-06:00
End: 2025-01-11T14:00:00-06:00
Location: NAMI Minnesota

Learn about the legislative process, how to contact your elected officials, and the most effective ways to share your story.
About this Event

Grassroots advocacy can be simple. You don’t have to be an expert in politics or policy to make a difference. Your lived experience can influence policymakers and affect change.
Turn your passion and your lived experience into advocacy for mental health with the NAMI Smarts for Advocacy skill-building training. NAMI Smarts for Advocacy engages you in hands-on learning to build and strengthen skills. Whether you are new to advocacy or have years of experience, you will leave the workshops with messages, step- by-step tools and the practice you need to feel informed, confident and ready to make a difference.
NAMI Smarts for Advocacy centers around Telling Your Story, which guides you through writing and delivering a concise and compelling version of your story that will serve as the springboard for your advocacy. Once you have your story, it’s time to use it. Discuss specific ways you can contact your policymaker to share your story. Learn about the legislative process and points throughout it when you can advocate strategically. We'll also share the context of the federal and state policies that created the incomplete and inadequate mental health system we have today and policies NAMI Minnesota is advocating for to build it up.

Questions? Contact: Elliot Butay at [email protected]

Accessiblity/Accommodations

If you have any accessibility needs, please let us know so we can accomodate you! Email [email protected].

NAMI Minnesota Cancellation Policy

NAMI Minnesota thanks you for registering to attend one of our classes. We understand that unforeseen situations arise and you may need to cancel your registration. If you are unable to attend, a substitute individual is welcome to attend in your place, but NAMI Minnesota must be notified in writing (e-mail is acceptable) with the name and contact information for the person who will be attending. NAMI Minnesota reserves the right to cancel any event, conference or class due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. If there is a cancellation, participants will be notified by telephone and/or email as soon as possible. We will make reasonable efforts to reschedule.