The Spokane Alliance and the IAF (Industrial Areas Foundation) offer multiple levels of leadership training for anyone: from the beginner who has never been involved in community organizing but who wants to make a difference, to seasoned leaders looking to take their skills to the next level.
Learn by Doing
One of the best ways to learn is through action. Our "classrooms" are in church basements, union halls, and city hall. At each step in the development and execution of a campaign, we take time to teach, plan, strategize, and evaluation.
Local Leadership Training
Twice a year, the Spokane Alliance hosts classroom style basic trainings - called "Leadership Institutes" - to cover the organizing philosophy, skills, and practices of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF).
These two-day trainings are designed to help each member or prospective member organization develop a larger group of leaders that are trained in community organizing. Trainees come away with an understanding of what it means to build a relational, reflection, and action-oriented culture and the skills to make it possible. The training prepares volunteers leaders to become active members of the Alliance through campaign teams and also to strengthen their institution with community organizing principles.
Visit our calendar to see the dates of the next Leadership Institute.
Regional and National Training
Through our affiliation with the IAF and the IAF Northwest we are able to offer advanced trainings that provide in-depth experience with the organizing practices and principles developed over 75 years by IAF member organizations.
The IAF Northwest hosts a six-day Regional Training at least once per year. The location rotates through the Northwest region.
The IAF hosts a seven-day National Training once per year. The location rotates nationally, usually between Chicago and LA.
Interested in Training?
Send Laurel Fish an email if you are interested in learning more about leadership training opportunities – [email protected].
One of our members includes the Health Equity Circle. Here's a video highlighting who they are and what they've done as organizers.