Advocacy 101: Transforming Nonprofits Into Effective Changemakers
Mon, January 29, 3:00 - 5:00 pm, In-Person
Every nonprofit can and should have a policy advocacy strategy that advances its mission and helps nonprofits be effective allies to grassroots social justice changemakers. Advocacy is one of the important strategies nonprofits can take to bring the community’s attention to the issues they care about and bring about meaningful change for the people they serve.
One of the greatest myths about nonprofits is that they cannot participate in advocacy or lobbying. However, with the right tools and information, you can make policy advocacy work for your organization and your community. Advocacy can include numerous activities such as policy research, public education, lobbying elected officials, educating the media, and voter engagement.
In this workshop, attendees will learn:
High-level but essential information about how nonprofits can legally get involved in issue-based advocacy work and the key differences between advocacy and lobbying;
The essential components of nonprofit advocacy, including a recap of how to establish an advocacy shop, analyzing and prioritizing issues, campaigning, and coalition work, among others;
How to include the community you serve and your Board in setting organizational advocacy priorities and in advocacy activities; and
Tips and tricks from expert panelists as they share their advocacy stories from the field.
Also, you'll connect with other nonprofit leaders and begin building a network of allies who can support you on your advocacy journey!
Featuring: Petra Silton, Senior Director of Programs, Thrive Alliance; Dr. Ana Angel Avendaño, Executive Director, El Concilio of San Mateo County; Huascar Castro, Housing and Transportation Director, Working Partnerships USA; Sarah Fields, MUP, Director, Community Engagement & Public Affairs, LifeMoves; Yvonne Jimenez, Policy Director, Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits.
Candidate Forum: District 4, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
Tues, January 30, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, In-Person
Thrive Alliance and Leadership Council San Mateo County, are hosting a candidate forum to elevate the most pressing issues of nonprofits and their communities in San Mateo County. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors oversees county departments, programs, and property, with an annual budget of over $4 billion.
Candidates:
Paul Bocanegra, Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commissioner - Legislative Coordinator, County of San Mateo
All districts have changed since the 2020 census report and the redistricting process that followed. District 4 includes the cities of Redwood City, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and North Fair Oaks.
Thrive Alliance and Leadership Council San Mateo County are non-endorsing and nonpartisan organizations.
Se ofrece interpretación en español.
Spanish interpretation is available. Please reach out to Yajaira Ortega if you require additional accommodations or have inquiries about accessibility.
Thrive RISE January Meeting: An Introduction to Cold Impacts on Health and the County's Inclement Weather Program
Wed, January 31, 10:00 - 11:00 am, Virtual
Cold weather can result in poor health outcomes, and even death, for those that are unhoused or who otherwise lack proper heating resources. Individuals most at risk for hypothermia are people experiencing homelessness, older adults with inadequate food and heating resources, infants in cold bedrooms, and substance users. Join our January COAD meeting with Dr. Curtis Chan from County of San Mateo Health and Matthew Hayes from County of San Mateo Human Services Agency to learn more about cold impacts on the human body, how social vulnerability exacerbates risk to cold weather, and how the County’s Inclement Weather Program is working to expand shelter availability for unhoused individuals on cold nights.
All organizations are welcome at this meeting, regardless of sector or experience in responding to community emergencies. Registration is not required for these recurring meetings. Please save this link as a recurring event on your calendar for the last Wednesday of the month.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby: Climate Solutions District 16 Candidate Panels
Thurs, February 1 & Mon, February 5
The San Mateo, Silicon Valley North, and Silicon Valley South chapters of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), in partnership with Thrive Alliance, Acterra, 350 Silicon Valley, Sustainable San Mateo County, and Sustainable Silicon Valley will host two virtual panels with the 10 candidates (5 on each panel) running for Anna Eshoo’s seat (CA CD16) on Thursday, February 1, and Monday, February 5 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Attendees will leave with a new understanding of what the 10 candidates will do on matters pertaining to climate and environmental solutions.
Where: Zoom (see links below) Cost: Free of charge How to participate: Registration required.
Click here to register for the February 1 panel with Joby Bernstein, Evan Low, Julie Lythcott-Haims, Joe Simitian, and Greg Lin Tanaka
Click here to register for the February 5 panel with Peter Dixon, Rishi Kumar, Sam Liccardo, Ahmed Mostafa and Peter Ohtaki
There are two nights due to the large number. Be sure to register for both nights to see all the candidates.
Candidate Conversation on Children: San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Races
Mon, February 5, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, In-Person
Thrive Alliance and Choose Children, a project of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, invite you to attend a county-wide conversation with candidates for County Supervisor as they discuss critical children’s issues and their plans to shape a county where children and families can thrive.
If you are concerned about the issues facing children, including affordable and high-quality child care and learning environments and the mental health of children and families, join this event to learn where the candidates stand on these issues and their plans for addressing them.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors oversees county departments, programs, and property, with an annual budget of over $4 billion.
Candidates In Attendance:
Paul Bocanegra, Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commissioner - Legislative Coordinator, County of San Mateo
Thrive Alliance and Choose Children are non-endorsing and nonpartisan organizations.
Se ofrece interpretación en español.
Spanish interpretation is available. Please reach out to Yajaira Ortega if you require additional accommodations or have inquiries about accessibility.
The San Mateo Public Library facilities are being rented for this event. The viewpoints and materials presented at this event are not necessarily endorsed by the City of San Mateo or the San Mateo Public Library.
Summit for Partnerships in Education - Elevating Racial Justice in SMC
Thurs, February 15, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm, In-Person
Join us for an inspiring event focused on elevating racial justice in San Mateo County! The San Mateo County Office of Education, Thrive Alliance, and Stanford Haas Center for Public Service are proud to host The Summit for Partnerships in Education, which aims to bring together educators, community leaders, and advocates to discuss and collaborate on ways to promote equity and inclusivity in our schools and community. This in-person event will be held at the Community Center on Burlingame Avenue in Burlingame, CA, USA.
By attending, you will have the opportunity to hear from community-based organizations, schools, and districts engage in thought-provoking discussions, attend informative workshops, and network with like-minded individuals who are passionate about fostering a more equitable education system. Together, we can work towards creating a brighter future for all students in San Mateo County.
Thrive RISE (Resilience in Shared Emergencies): Coordinating Staff Roles in Disaster - An Introduction to Incident Command System for Nonprofits
Wed, February 21, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, In-Person
The Incident Command System (ICS) is a framework that emergency workers use to efficiently organize and manage response efforts during disasters. Because the nonprofit sector plays a major role in disaster response, it is essential that San Mateo County nonprofits are trained in and applying ICS principles to their own emergency response efforts.
This two-hour interactive, in-person workshop will provide a brief background on ICS and show you how to adapt ICS principles to your organization’s emergency planning. Participants will practice applying these principles to realistic disaster scenarios and will walk away with templates for creating Emergency Response Plans and Teams. As with all COAD trainings, this will be an opportunity to connect with other San Mateo County nonprofits that are active in emergency preparedness and response. This workshop is designed for nonprofits, but is open to all.
Rafael Avendaño, Executive Director, of Redwood City Together, will lead an interactive workshop with a space for vulnerability and co-learning among nonprofit leaders to reflect on individual management journeys and management styles. You will learn about new methods that can support the organizational culture that you lead and how to become a dream manager. We will also be announcing the HR Affinity Group, which will serve as a way to stay connected and engaged beyond the training sessions.
Nonprofit leaders and HR professionals of all backgrounds and nonprofit sizes are welcome to attend this session. There will be ample time for sharing ideas over lunch.
The first 30 people to register will receive a complementary copy of The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly, which we will be citing during the session. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and come away with valuable resources.
Acterra: 2024 Champions of Promise Awards - Calls for Nominations
Application Period: Tues, January 9 - Fri, February 9
Acterra is currently inviting nominations for the 2024 Champions of Promise Awards, recognizing outstanding leaders in sustainability and advocates for climate action in the Bay Area. If you or someone you are acquainted with has significantly contributed to climate communication, environmental justice, or community-level action, they encourage you to submit a nomination online by February 9. Self-nominations are also welcomed. To learn more and apply click here.
Note: The awards ceremony will take place in person this year on Thurs, March 21, during PROMISE TO OUR PLANET, Acterra’s biggest community-building event of the year.
C/CAG: Survey for New Bike/Scooter Share Pilot Program
Survey Deadline: Mon, February 5
Wish you could rent a scooter or bike to get around more easily? C/CAG is launching a new bike/scooter share pilot program in San Mateo County and wants to hear from you. Take the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG) of San Mateo County's survey at www.bit.ly/SMCmobility4all to share your thoughts on the locations of future stations & program costs.
County of San Mateo: Controller Releases Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
San Mateo County Controller Juan Raigoza recently released the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. The report includes audited financial statements, analysis, and other details about the County’s finances. To learn more click here.
County of San Mateo: New Approach Proposed to Encourage Those Experiencing Homelessness to Accept Shelter Offers
The Board of Supervisors, on Tues, January 23, will consider a new approach to encourage individuals experiencing homelessness to accept offers of shelter and support. The proposed ordinance regulating encampments on public property in unincorporated San Mateo County is intended to help the County achieve its goal of making homelessness brief and rare. To learn more click here.
County of San Mateo: Recruitment Begins for New Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office
The County of San Mateo is currently recruiting for its new Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office and is encouraging a diverse array of residents to apply. The new commission will advise the Board of Supervisors about community-police relations, accountability, transparency, and public engagement. To learn more click here.
Community Events
Racial Equity Commission Meeting #1
Wed, January 24, 10:00 - 11:00 am
You are invited to attend the Racial Equity Commission's Inaugural Public Meeting on January 24, 2024. Established through Executive Order N 16-22 by Governor Gavin Newsom, the commission's focus is on advancing racial equity and developing a framework to address structural racism. Your participation is crucial in shaping our mission.
Home For All SMC: YES in God’s Backyard! SB4 and the Implications for Faith Communities
Wed, January 24, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Join Home For All SMC for a chance to learn from a panel of experts, a developer, a land use lawyer, an architect, and a city planner, about how SB4 does and does not impact congregations considering building affordable housing. Come get your questions answered and see what is possible.
SB4 is one of the most important housing bills passed in 2023 and it directly impacts faith communities in a positive way. The faith communities across our state now have the gates thrown wide open to be part of the proven solutions in reducing homelessness and making a difference in the housing affordability crisis right here in San Mateo County.
The Parent Venture: Accountable - The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed
Thurs, January 25, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
What does it mean to be held accountable for the harm that takes place behind a screen? Join The Parent Venture for a discussion with award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Dashka Slater. Dashka Slater has written a must-read book for our era that explores the real-world consequences of online choices.
Parents/caregivers, students, educators, mental health professionals, and community members are welcome. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.
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