Speaker Series - San Francisco, CA (February 26, 2009)
On Thursday, February 26, 2009, AFJ West hosted an event at
San Francisco’s historic Mechanics Institute Library titled
Weathering the Budget Storm: How Nonprofits in California Can (and Should) Work to Influence the State’s Budget Crisis, to discuss the state of the
California budget, the impact of proposed cuts and tax increases, and current efforts by nonprofit organizations in the state to advocate around budget issues on behalf of their constituencies and key programs.
The event drew a packed crowd of over 50 advocates from nonprofit groups representing a wide-range of the
California nonprofit sector.
They came to hear a presentation by experts and activists on the recently announced budget deal by the
California legislature which seeks to close a massive 18-month deficit of over $42 billion through a series of revenue increases and spending cuts.
The spending cuts that were adopted came down particularly hard on education and health services, while the tax increases were largely regressive in nature.
Further, the process by which the new budget was adopted was particularly opaque and secretive.
AFJ West Director, Doug Lakey, opened the convening by introducing the panelists and giving an overview of AFJ and the purpose of the event. The goals were to provide information on the current budget bill and cuts to spending involved, as well as to guide participants in their budget advocacy efforts with examples of coalition partnerships and concrete actions to hold legislators accountable to the needs in their communities. In addition, the speakers highlighted effective communication strategies and messaging for nonprofits and their communities to maximize their voice and put a real face on the impact of budget cuts in the most vulnerable communities. The panel speakers were: Jean Ross, Founding Executive Director of the California Budget Project; Jamienne Studley, President of Public Advocates Inc.; Isaac Menashe, Policy Analyst at California Immigrant Policy Center; Jessica Rothhaar, State Legislative Campaign Director of Health Access California; and Dan Cohen, Principal of Full Court Press, a communications strategy firm that advises many nonprofits.
Jean Ross of the California Budget Project started off the morning with an explanation of the current state of the budget, how it arrived to where it is now, and next steps in this often opaque process. Although Jean’s comments outlined the grim realities of the recently-passed budget, including the myriad cuts to funding in critical education, health and social service programs, her analysis and insight also highlighted the ongoing nature of the budget process and the need for nonprofits to participate in the process through educating and holding their elected officials accountable before, during and after budget negotiations. Jamienne Studley of Public Advocates Inc. followed with comments and examples from the education sector of how nonprofits can continue to play a watchdog role over the spending of state and federal funds as well as provide critical input into the structuring of programs so that limited funds are spent equitably and effectively. In line with Jamie’s comments on the critical role that nonprofits still can and should play in the shaping of the budget, Isaac Menashe of the California Immigrant Policy Center focused on the key role of coalitions in budget advocacy as well as strategies related to effective coalition-building and messaging. Jessica Rothhaar of Health Access California reinforced Isaac’s comments with examples from her involvement in the creation of the Bay Area Budget Coalition and its specific strategies to bring pressure to bear on legislatures through the power of constituent legislative visits, letters and other direct actions. Dan Cohen, Principal of Full Court Press Communications, finished off the speakers’ comments with key points related to creating and utilizing effective communication strategies in budget advocacy efforts by nonprofits. His comments addressed the importance of creating a communications plan, focusing on a target audience and surrounding that audience with a clear message incorporating personal stories.
The remainder of the discussion involved a question and answer session. It was clear from the number of questions asked (and the number that couldn’t be asked because of time constraints) that there is a great deal of anxiety about the budget, along with a determination that nonprofits must get involved on behalf of their constituencies. AFJ West seeks to empower nonprofits in California in this time of budgetary crisis through events such as this two-hour speaker panel discussion as well as through our trainings on the legal rules governing nonprofit advocacy. We look forward to providing even greater support for the nonprofit community as we move forward in these tough budget times to protect and advocate for the rights of those most vulnerable in our state.
AUDIO FILES: Weathering the Budget Storm (02/26/2009)
Chapter 1: Doug Lakey, AFJ West Director
Chapter 2a: Jean Ross, Founding Executive Director of the California Budget Project
Chapter 2b: Jean Ross, Founding Executive Director of the California Budget Project
Chapter 2c: Jean Ross, Founding Executive Director of the California Budget Project
Chapter 3: Jamienne Studley, President of Public Advocates Inc.
Chapter 4: Isaac Menashe, Policy Analyst at California Immigrant Policy Center
Chapter 5: Jessica Rothhaar, State Legislative Campaign Director of Health Access California
Chapter 6: Dan Cohen, Principal of Full Court Press
Chapter 7: Q&A - Part One
Chapter 8: Q&A - Part Two
Chapter 9: Conclusion
