GCNN Events & Workshops

Dunngardens2 (1)
Civic Engagement to Strengthen & Support Public Gardens
Thursday, May 1, 2024

Through several sessions, this workshop will explore strategies for identifying and developing advocacy initiatives and meaningful relationships with community and civic leaders to strengthen and support your gardens. You'll leave better prepared to develop your own garden advocacy plan and craft a unique message to funders and lawmakers.


Workshop Schedule
8:30 a.m. Check-in and Continental Breakfast 
9:00 a.m. Session 1: Inspiring Advocacy for Arts, Culture, and Gardens
10:45 a.m. Session 2: Engaging Elected Officials
11:30 a.m. Garden Tour & Lunch
1:15 p.m. Panel Discussion, Practical Applications for Engagement
3:00 p.m. Session 3: Advocacy Building Blocks

The first session, Inspiring Advocacy for Arts, Culture, and Gardens will provide a deep dive into Doors Open: King County, Washington’s new cultural access program that increases funding for arts, culture, and heritage organizations, including gardens, through a new sales tax. Andy Jensen from Inspire Washington will discuss how this program was conceptualized, organized, and implemented.

The second session, Engaging Elected Officials will highlight the differences between advocacy and lobbying. Ruth Kagi, former congresswoman in the Washington State Legislature, will discuss the importance of connecting with elected officials and community leaders, including effective strategies to engage them.

Practical Applications for Engagement, a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by Ruth Kagi will explore real-life scenarios and best practices, challenges, and innovations that support building relationships with community leaders and beyond to amplify your garden's mission and work. Panelists include Cindy Krueger, Scott Sadler, and Mitra Karami. 

The third session, Advocacy Building Blocks will give you the foundations needed to understand the difference between advocacy and lobbying, what you can do as a nonprofit, when you can influence public policy, how to establish benchmarks for success and evaluation of advocacy efforts, and an introduction to crafting strong messaging that builds meaningful partnerships. Presented by Tiffany Brace from the Nonprofit Association of Washington.

Speakers Include:
Andy Jensen, Inspire Washington
Cindy Krueger, Ballard P-Patch
Mitra Karami, The Ostara Group
Ruth Kagi, Washington State House of Representatives (former)
Scott Sadler, The Ostara Group
Tiffany Brace, Nonprofit Association of Washington


Location
Dunn Gardens
13533 Northshire Road NW
Seattle, Washington 98177

Tales From the Road

Taking Inspiration from Leading Botanic Gardens
Fall 2021 Webinar
with Jason Morse, Arboretum Foundation

Watch the webinar