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Non-Partisan Advocacy Workshops Offered
02:21PM / Monday, March 27, 2017
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Workshop leader Sherwood Guernsey speaks during a Four Freedoms Coalition rally.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wondering how to make a difference on local, state and national issues? Looking to learn the basics of door to door canvassing, calling your legislators, or running for office? The Four Freedoms Coalition in partnership with Berkshire Community College, is offering a day of free non-partisan advocacy workshops called "Act Now: Civic Participation Workshops for Everyone" on Saturday, April 1.

Participants are welcome to stay for an hour or the whole day. All workshops will be held on the Berkshire Community College campus at 1350 West St. in Pittsfield, which is fully accessible.

The non-partisan Berkshire-based Four Freedoms Coalition was founded in December 2016 and brings together more than 150 businesses, community groups, non-profit organizations and elected officials to support the four freedoms outlined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt - freedom of speech and religion, freedom from want and fear - and to stand against bigotry and prejudice.

"Many people have been politicized by our recent presidential election," said lead volunteer organizer Becky Meier. "Many people have no previous political or advocacy experience. They want to do something, but don't know where to begin. We invite them to find out how government works and how to have an effect. This event is planned with all people in mind: we are people helping people."

The day of civic workshops will kick off with an address by Rep. Richard Neal at 9:30 a.m., and ends with a wrap up session with state Sen. Adam Hinds at 3:45 p.m. In between, participants can choose from 10 different workshops all taught by volunteer instructors, who include Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, diversity coach Shirley Edgerton, Pittsfield city councilors John Krol and Donna Todd Rivers, and others.

Attendees are welcome to come for one workshop or stay for the day. There are two workshop sessions with multiple choices in the morning, and two more in the afternoon. Lunch will be available for purchase in the BCC cafeteria. Registration is strongly encouraged and can be done online.

The workshops being offered include:

* Writer and writing coach Lee Harrison will lead a workshop on "Writing Effective Letters to the Editor." Participants will leave the workshop with a finished letter to the editor or at least the start of one.

* Alisa Costa leads a workshop on "Calling Your Legislators." She will discuss such questions as: Does your call really matter? When do you call an elected official about issues you care about? Who is the right person to call? What do you say?

* Three "Civics 101" workshops on local, state and federal government will give an inside perspective of how any person can become a change-making activist on critical issues. Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer and Pittsfield City Councilor John Krol will help us understand local level politics. Massachusetts state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier will present the state perspective. Richard Delmasto, who worked for 19 years for Congressman Olver, will outline how to make a difference in federal politics.

* Robin Catalano, a professional writer, blogger and social media consultant will help beginners learn about "Social Media Basics." She will go over the ABCs of Facebook, the differences between a profile, a page and a group, and best practices for organizing and staying in touch with like-minded folks, while also touching on Twitter and Slack.

* Pittsfield City Councilor Donna Rivers, former state enate candidate Andrea Harrington, and campaign organizer Kristen Elechko will facilitate workshops on "Running for Local Office (or Helping Someone Else to)." It is ordinary people who become politicians and make decisions about our world. City councils, town boards and school committees are often the first step into the political world. They will share what it takes to start such a campaign.

* "What is Cultural Competence and How It Can Make You a More Effective Activist" is a two-hour workshop that will be facilitated by Shirley Edgerton, a community activist and diversity consultant and trainer. Cultural competence prepares us to be inclusive in thought and practice when working with others. This workshop training focuses on understanding diversity and cultural competence in building community, cultural sensitivity, cultural awareness, implicit biases and more.

* Liz Recko-Morrison, a labor activist and a Quaker, will lead a workshop on "Conversations Across the Political Divide." More than ever, we need to develop ways to talk with those with whom we disagree. This workshop will share practical strategies that you can use to find common ground and speak convincingly without deprecating those that disagree. This workshop will involve roleplaying, observation, and gentle feedback.  

* "Door-to-Door Canvassing" is the nuts and bolts of every organizing and political campaign. What is its purpose? What is the best approach? What tools are available? How do you engage people? This workshop will be led by Sherwood Guernsey and Frank Farkas, active members of the Berkshire Democratic Brigades.

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