Inspired by the “Camp Obama” trainings that powered neighbor-to-neighbor organizing across America in 2008, Camp Courage is an intensive two-day training designed to teach the principles and skills of community organizing to activists working to restore marriage equality to California.
Drawing on techniques honed for decades by progressive social movements, Camp Courage teaches empowerment, team building, leadership development, and grassroots organizing skills. Camp Courage is designed primarily for new activists or those who have never engaged with the broader community about marriage equality as well as veteran LGBT activists and allies.
Camp Courage trainings have already been held in Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, D.C., San Diego and East LA. All seven events have received phenomenal reviews from participants, with evaluations averaging 9.06 (on a scale of 1 to 10).
To see highlights of the East Los Angeles training, watch the YouTube at http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/CampCentralCoast.
Camp Courage Central Coast will be an opportunity for activists and organizers to come together, recommit our energies and our talents to the marriage equality movement, and show the nation that we will not rest until all Californians are treated with the equality they deserve.
WHAT: Camp Courage, for marriage equality activists and organizers
WHERE: Santa Barbara (location provided once registration is confirmed)
WHEN: January 30-31, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
SIGN UP: http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/CampCentralCoast
Camp Courage will cover basic community and political organizing skills, including:
* Finding your voice by telling your “story of self”
* Leadership development
* Principles of successful organizing
* Developing collaboration and building effective teams
* Techniques of voter persuasion
* Organizing a phonebank
* Canvassing
* Tabling
* Throwing house parties
* Online organizing
In addition to providing these essential tools Camp Courage provides a unique opportunity for community members to meet like-minded individuals.
A background in community organizing or an organizational affiliation is not a requirement to attend Camp Courage. The only requirements are energy, commitment, and a desire to broaden your leadership abilities.
Camp Courage is organized by our faculty Torie Osborn, Mike Bonin, and Lisa Powell. Osborn is a senior advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the United Way, and former executive director of the Liberty Hill Foundation and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Bonin is a former regional field organizer for Obama for America, a veteran campaign staffer, and a community activist. Powell is an attorney, longtime trainer, community leader, and co-founder of United Lesbians of African Heritage.
Several amazing organizations will be represented at Camp Courage Central Coast, supporting the event or sending staff to participate or present, including CAUSE, COLOR Ventura, Equal Roots, FUND for Santa Barbara, Marriage Equality USA Santa Barbara & San Luis Obispo Chapters, McCune Foundation, Pacific Pride Foundation, San Luis Obispo Equality Team, Santa Barbara City College Queer & Ally Club, Stonewall Democrats of Ventura County, Strategic Alliance for Marriage Equality, UCSB Campus Democrats, UCSB Associated Students Queer Commission, UCSB Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, and the Ventura County Rainbow Alliance.
Our Central Coast training is one of many planned in 2010. If you are interested in our future trainings, please email CampCourage@couragecampaign.org.
If you have any questions, please email: CampCourage@CourageCampaign.org
