Your expertise is needed to strengthen the collective voice of Tennessee Nonprofits
Tennessee Nonprofit Network is excited to announce a two-day legislative engagement event that will empower nonprofit staff and board members to be confident advocates and carry that confidence with them to meet with our elected officials and advocate for our sector and the work that our organizations do. This two-day event will serve as a source of inspiration and a vital link between and among the Tennessee Nonprofit sector and members of the TN General Assembly.
The Advocacy Summit is on the first day of this two-day event and the second day will consist of our Day on the Hill activities. The Advocacy Summit will be held on Tuesday, February 27th in Nashville, with registration beginning at 9:00am and programming beginning at 10:15am CST.
The goals of the Advocacy Summit are to:
Empower our nonprofit sector to be a more confident vocal nonpartisan voice in legislative engagement and advocacy
Hear from successful and seasoned government relations and nonprofit professionals during engaging breakout sessions
Learn about effective techniques to move your nonpartisan legislative agenda forward
Network with fellow advocates to make our collective voice stronger
Give a Presentation at the 2024 Advocacy Summit
The inaugural Advocacy Summit will empower and give participants the tools to help them make their day on the Hill impactful. During the Advocacy Summit, each session will provide participants with the opportunity to learn from other nonprofit professionals and advocacy/lobbying professionals. We are seeking experienced facilitators to lead sessions based on the following tracks:
Track 1: Advocacy and Lobbying: Beginner
Track 2: Advocacy and Lobbying: Intermediate
Track 3: Advocacy and Lobbying: Expert
Track 4: Advocacy and Lobbying: Leadership (for CEO’s and Board Members)
We will provide a $250 honorarium for our breakout speakers. This is your opportunity to position yourself as an expert in front of some of the most prominent nonprofit, corporate and philanthropic leaders across the state of Tennessee.
Presenters should have:
A track record of understanding and experience in their topic area
An interactive presentation approach that embraces theories of adult learning and ensures the best learning and engagement opportunity for the audience
An energetic presence and engaging facilitation style that will support our goal to make content memorable, easier to retain, and well-rated
Diverse ideas and perspectives incorporated in their presentation
Materials that clearly align with summit topic
Additional resources, activities, worksheets to supplement the attendee experience and for continued learning
Presentation Formats
Presenters will present to summit attendees in-person in formats such as a panel, fireside chat, or an interactive workshop.
Presenters will present their presentation only once. We would ask all confirmed presenters to provide presentation materials and/or presentations to the Tennessee Nonprofit Network planning team, details to follow once presenters have been confirmed.
Proposal Timeline Submission Deadline
Accepting submissions November 8th- November 22nd
Review of submissions November 27th- December 1st
Notification of selection – December 4th – 8th
Final summit agenda published – week of December 18th
Proposals should be submitted online.
You will be asked to provide:
The session title and summary
A detailed description of your proposed session
Your bio, contact information, and social media profiles (optional for promotional purposes)
Who Attends
With the diversity of industry practitioners convening under one theme, the Advocacy Summit presents the opportunity for professionals at varying career stages and across sectors (executives, academics, program leaders, board members, funders, consultants, coaches, etc.) to collaborate, learn, shape and advance the nonprofit sector for the good of the communities we serve.
Location: Scarritt Bennett Conference Center in Nashville, TN
Advocacy Summit Learning Tracks
The Summit Learning Tracks below are used to help participants determine which track is best for them based on their experience in the topic.
Beginner (0-2 years)
For participants with very limited or no experience or knowledge of advocacy and/or lobbying
For participants that are exploring advocacy and lobbying strategies, or in the very early stages of starting advocacy and/or lobbying efforts
For participants seeking to learn very basic fundamentals about advocacy and/or lobbying
Examples of Appropriate Topics
The Legislative Process – Landscape of the Legislature, The Twists and Turns of a Bill Becoming a Law
Advocacy/Lobby 101 – Why Advocate?, Basic Etiquette and Communication Techniques, Do’s and Don’ts
Building Your Public Policy Agenda
Compliance – State and Federal (there may/may not be time here to discuss the 501(h) elections vs. the substantial part test)
Becoming a More Confident Public Speaker To Lawmakers
General Assembly Structure: Committee, Sub-committee, chairs, etc.
Intermediate (3-5 years)
For participants with existing foundational knowledge and a few years of hands-on experience.
For participants interested in growing their existing advocacy and/or lobbying strategies
For participants seeking to dive deeper and strengthen foundational knowledge and skills regarding advocacy and/or lobbying efforts.
Examples of Appropriate Topics
Advanced Advocacy/Lobbying – Leveraging Relationships, Advocating Beyond Your Representative/Senator, State Agencies
Nonpartisan Approach to Public Policy
Building Civic/Voter Engagement in Your Community
Storytelling: Sharing Your Mission and Impact with Legislators
Advanced (6+ years)
Nonprofit Hot Topics – Grant Reform, Workforce Shortage, Government Contracting, and more
Current State Legislation Affecting Nonprofits
Leadership (CEOs and Board Members)
The Role of the Board in Advocacy/Lobbying
Building Coalitions and Networks
Case Study in Advocacy and Lobbying in Action: The TN COVID-19 Recovery Act and Nonprofit Funding Subcommittee