Program Information

Communicating Progressive Values
May 11 – KVCC Anna Whitten Hall, Arcadia Campus
Keynote Speaker, Heath Wickline of the SPIN Project, will discuss communicating progressive values and share his extensive experiences regarding effective storytelling for activists. You'll also meet your team and begin sharing ideas with fellow participants. The SPIN Project (Strategic Press Information Network) provides media technical assistance to nonprofit public-interest organizations across the nation who want to influence debate, shape public opinion and garner positive media attention.

Activists Skills Building
June 8 – KVCC Anna Whitten Hall, Arcadia Campus
Keynote Speaker, Shelli Weisberg Legislative Director of the ACLU of Michigan, will discuss what sets effective activists apart? We'll examine the many ways to be involved in the issues that matter to you. Not one size fits all. You'll also take away some practical lessons and skills.

Building Effective Progressive Coalitions
July 6 – KVCC Anna Whitten Hall, Arcadia Campus
You can really make a difference when you build coalitions of committed and organized individuals and organizations. Don’t miss this important program on coalition building. You’ll also find out how to locate valuable resources and information.

Political Effectiveness
August 17 – KVCC Anna Whitten Hall, Arcadia Campus
Keynote Speaker, Dave Woodward Michigan State Director of the Center for Progressive Leadership will present on the ins and outs of political campaigns, how to run for office, how to manage campaigns and the inside workings of campaigns. The Center for Progressive Leadership is a national political training institute dedicated to developing the next generation of progressive political leaders. Mr Woodward served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1999 - 2004 and is now on the Board of Commissioners for Oakland County.

Activism That Lasts
September 21 – KVCC Anna Whitten Hall, Arcadia Campus
Haven Herrin and Katie Higgins of the The Equality Ride along with Jason Cooper and Andrew Meade of Young People For (YP4) will talk about intergenerational activism. Young people are often times labeled as apathetic and not caring about the political process or social justice activism. These representatives from these two organizations will discuss their programs and strategies behind how to engage and keep engaged young adult activists. The topic of bridging the generational divide will be explored.  Inspired by the Freedom Rides of the 60's, The Equality Ride is an annual civil-rights bus journey across the United States led by young adults. It primarily fosters dialogue -- or, failing that, confronts colleges and universities that discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students. As a part of the faith-based organization Soulforce, the activism focuses on religious colleges, while occasionally including military academies.  Young People For protects and promotes our nation's core values by identifying, engaging, and empowering young leaders and activists and equipping them to work toward positive social change in their communities and across the nation.  As a project of People For the American Way Foundation, YP4 provides a national infrastructure to support young leaders' ongoing activism on the frontlines and facilitates connections to leaders and organizations in the progressive movement.  Young People For will also assist participants in drafting their own Individual Movement Action Plans, a tool that enables people to map out the vehicles, roles and communities they want to organize with, based on their values and beliefs.

Putting It All Together
October 12 – Radisson Plaza Hotel
Celebrate and share what you’ve learned as you take ownership of the lessons in this series. Talk with members of your team and other series participants about “where we go from here.” This will be a fun evening with speakers, food, drink, and entertainment.