Toolkit: Advocacy Academy

These days, we’re living in a virtual world. And the Advocacy Academy is no different. It just makes sense. South Dakota is a big state – and many of us are miles and miles apart.

Watch each session as soon as it premieres or make time to watch it on your schedule. But make sure to log in on time for the community hours. That’s where you’ll get the chance to meet and connect with advocates and changemakers just like you who are ready to make a difference in our state.

Add these dates to your calendar today or look for an email from southdakota@aclu.org with calendar invites attached.

• Nov. 10, 2021 
  • Session 1 Introduction to Organizing and Campaigning
  • Premieres at 7 p.m. CT on YouTube. 
• Nov. 17, 2021 
  • Advocacy Academy Community Hour at 7 p.m. CT on Zoom.
• Dec. 1, 2021 
  • Session 2 Becoming a Conflict Competent Advocate
  • Premieres at 7 p.m. CT on YouTube.
• Dec. 8, 2021
  • Advocacy Academy Community Hour at 7 p.m. CT on Zoom. 
• Dec. 15, 2021
  • Session 3 The Art of Storytelling
  • Premieres at 7 p.m. CT on YouTube.
• Jan. 5, 2022
  • Session 4 Fundamentals of Legislative Advocacy
  • Premieres at 7 p.m. CT on YouTube.
• Jan. 12, 2022
  • Advocacy Academy Community Hour at 7 p.m. CT on Zoom.

Jett Jonelis (they/she)

As the advocacy manager for the ACLU of South Dakota, Jett builds the ACLU’s public education and advocacy programs through coalition-building, leadership development, communication, and lobbying. They ensure that supporters of the ACLU of South Dakota have the tools, information, and opportunities to be effective advocates on issues like LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit rights, Indigenous justice, and criminal justice reform. Jett is dedicated to working in community with activists, organizers, and changemakers across the state to create a more just and equitable world for all South Dakotans.

Antonio Serrano (he/him)

As the advocacy manager for the ACLU of Wyoming, Antonio builds the ACLU’s public education and advocacy programs through coalition-building, leadership development, communication, and lobbying. He’s played crucial roles in campaigns like WyoSayNo, a coalition that fought and successfully blocked two private prison companies from building an immigration detention center in the state, and the Wyoming Rapid Response Network, a team that documents actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the state.

Janna Farley (she/her)

As communications director, Janna oversees the communications program for the ACLU of South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming chapter and is responsible for developing communications strategies that help promote the ACLU’s mission to protect and advance civil liberties in the three states. These strategies include print and online communications, social media, media outreach, brand management, and provocative storytelling.

Cherise C. Alexander (she/her, they/them)

Cherise is a licensed marriage and family therapist providing therapeutic support to individuals, couples, and families in South Dakota and Washington state. She specializes in gender and sexuality topics within her therapeutic practice. Additionally, she has presented on topics related to gender, sexuality, relationships, and conflict management over the past 10 years for local and national organizations. Cherise believes education and connection are the first steps toward change and creating a more meaningful experience between people of different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences.

A fundamental concept that anyone hoping to get into advocacy should learn about is organizing – the ability to bring people together to build community power and take action. Organizing is an important advocacy tool because the problems we see in our world did not happen by accident. The issues facing communities today are the result of centuries of systemic oppression built into our laws, policies, and everyday practices and preserved by people with power and privilege.

Campaigns are important because they help make your larger vision more attainable. They take abstract concepts and help you clarify your goals, how you will achieve them, and help you evaluate how well your campaign is progressing. They also help guide your decisions about how to invest your resources. Campaigns are a great way to take steps toward your big ideas, build your base, and harness your collective power!

By the end of session one, you’ll be able to:

• Understand fundamental aspects about organizing and campaigning through a variety of lenses.
• Identify the essential elements of a campaign plan.
• Start planning campaigns (with clear and actionable goals) to fight for social justice.

Want more? Explore these resources:

• “Tools for Radical Democracy” by Joan Minieri and Paul Getsos
• “Organizing for Social Change Midwest Academy for Activists” by Kim Bobo, Jackie Kendall, and Steve Max
• ACLU of South Dakota Advocacy Resource Page
• Project Planning Hub

Tune in on Nov. 10, 2021 on YouTube

Conflict is a natural part of advocacy and organizing. In some ways, advocacy is all about conflict because it is about demanding change and challenging the status quo. When we refuse to engage in conflict, we are refusing to show up for communities that are suffering under the status quo. As an advocate or organizer, you will also encounter conflict in so many different ways.

Conflict management is a unique skill in an advocacy context because your strategies and approaches to conflict depend on the nature of your relationships. Your approach to conflict should be tied to your core values and mission. You need to think strategically using a diversity of tactics to figure out your approach - particularly when your relationships are fragile, strategic, or adversarial.

By the end of session two, you’ll be able to:

• Explain fundamental conflict resolution concepts and strategies and how they apply to an advocacy framework
• Use practical examples to illustrate how advocates can use these strategies in their everyday lives at multiple levels
• Discuss the relationship between conflict resolution, trauma and advocacy work

Want more? Explore these resources:

• “Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Resolution” by Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD.
•  “Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook” by Lucy Leu
• “Conflict Resolution Playbook” by Jeremy Pollack
• “Negotiate Without Fear” by Victoria Medvec
• Self-Care for Advocates

Tune in on Dec. 1, 2021 on YouTube

Storytelling is a powerful tool for advocacy. Whether you’re sharing your story with a small group or an organization, on a video you’ll share on social media, with legislators or other elected officials, or with the media, stories have the power to persuade and move people to action. Stories are more memorable than facts alone and help make the case for why a policymaker should stand behind your cause.

Telling our stories is a really impactful way for us to connect with people over our shared values. People are motivated to take action when they feel that their personal story is connected to someone else’s personal story. People get involved – and stay involved – when they feel like they are building a community that reflects their values.

By the end of session three, you’ll be able to:

• Understand the basics of public narrative: values, emotion, and story structure
• Discuss the importance of self-care in sharing difficult and personal stories
• Learn criteria for an effective story of self for advocacy
• Talk about sharing stories publicly

Want more? Explore these resources:

• Seven steps to telling your story
• How to tell a story – A TEDx playlist
• “Unleash the Power of Storytelling: Win Hearts, Change Minds, Get Results” by Rob Biesenbach

Tune in on Dec. 15, 2021 on YouTube

Note: Because of the December holidays, there will be no Community Hour for Session 3. Rest up, enjoy time with family and friends, and get ready for 2022!

Decisions made during the annual sessions of the South Dakota Legislature have a deep and lasting impact on our state’s people and communities. As new laws are created and others repealed or written, it’s important to ensure that these changes preserve and strengthen our constitutional rights.

Legislative advocacy is all about making change by influencing what legislation is introduced, passed, and becomes law. Whether you’re making a phone call, texting your senator, setting up virtual meeting with your representatives, or attending a march or protest, the choice is yours. Every action you take will inch us closer toward broadening and strengthening civil liberties in South Dakota.

By the end of session four, you’ll be able to:

• Understand legislative lingo and concepts
• Navigate the South Dakota legislative process
• Maximize your impact in your community during legislative session and throughout the year
• Act proactively and be an effective advocate for any issue you care about

Want more? Explore these resources:

• Legislative lingo
• ACLU of South Dakota’s legislative infographic
• Know your rights when protesting webinar and printable assets
• South Dakota Legislature mailing list

Tune in on Jan. 5, 2022 on YouTube