2024 Legislator Toolkit Series

Our popular professional development series is back for the 4th year, and this time we’re clearing up the mysteries behind some of the very important processes that happen at the Vermont Legislature.

Like last year, the Legislator Toolkit Series is OPEN TO ALL ALUMS!

Even to long-time legislators it’s sometimes a little fuzzy how things get done at the State House and who all the players are. How exactly does the committee process work? Who is Leg Council and what do they do? How do lobbyists fit in to the mix? How does everyone work together to create the state budget? This year’s series will answer those questions.

Session 1: Monday, December 2nd, 6:30-8:30 PM
Solving the Mystery of the Money
“A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” Understanding the budget process is key to getting legislation passed that requires funding. In this workshop, you will learn what the Vermont budget process is and where the opportunities are to advocate for specific funding requests. Participants will get an overview of what kinds of money there are to spend, how decisions are made, and who makes them. By the end of the workshop, you will have a basic understanding of the budget process, how to engage with it as a legislator, and how to help your constituents who are looking to engage as well.

Presented by Amy Shollenberger
Amy Shollenberger has more than 25 years of experience grassroots organizing, developing political strategy, influencing policy, and running political issue campaigns. She has worked on a variety of campaigns, ranging in scope from local community issues to state and national issues. She started Action Circles in 2010 and along with the Action Circles team has served clients and offered trainings ever since.

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Session 2: Monday, December 9th, 6:30-8:30 PM
How a Bill Becomes a Law – The Committee Process
This session seeks to describe and demystify how and why some bills become law, focusing on the committee process. It will also explain the roles of lobbying and of lobbyists, and why they can be helpful to legislators.

Presented by Matt Levin
Matt Levin is a veteran legislative advocate and community and political organizer who has worked on issues ranging from workplace rights to health care, environmental protection to low-income housing. He has worked in several regions of the country in roles as diverse as community organizer, campaign staffer, state and federal lobbyist, management and organizational development consultant, and non-profit executive director. Since moving to Vermont in 2001, he has worked for several Vermont non-profits and political organizations.

Registration fee is $25 which includes both sessions. Campaign funds can be used to pay for registration. These sessions will not be recorded.

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This series is for all Emerge Vermont alums. This training is available at a fair market rate in compliance with campaign finance law.
Campaign funds can be used to pay for this training.