Advocates Academy
The ACLU of Massachusetts Advocates Academy is an ongoing series of workshops and trainings created to inspire, educate and mobilize a new generation of civil liberties advocates.
MATERIALS AND RECORDINGS
WE'RE HERE TO:
Demystify public advocacy
Teach practical tools
Support anyone taking action and flexing their democracy muscle
Grassroots Lobbying 101
At this training we discussed how to schedule a lobby meeting, how to prepare for your visit, and best practices when speaking with your legislators.
April 22, 2025
"Lobbying" is just a fancy term for having a conversation with your legislator about an issue you care about. At this training we discussed how to schedule a lobby meeting, how to prepare for your visit, and best practices when speaking with your legislators. We also reviewed some of the ACLU's top legislative priorities (April 2025). Following the training, we're happy to work with you one-on-one and help you and others from your legislative district get set up for a lobby visit!
Resources:
April 22, 2025
"Lobbying" is just a fancy term for having a conversation with your legislator about an issue you care about. At this training we discussed how to schedule a lobby meeting, how to prepare for your visit, and best practices when speaking with your legislators. We also reviewed some of the ACLU's top legislative priorities (April 2025). Following the training, we're happy to work with you one-on-one and help you and others from your legislative district get set up for a lobby visit!
Resources:
Technology for Liberty
This training will give you an overview of the ACLU of MA's work at the intersection of technology and civil liberties.
This training will give you an overview of the ACLU of MA's work at the intersection of technology and civil liberties. We will review our related priority legislation for the 2025-2026 state legislative session and how you can take action to support digital privacy in Massachusetts.
Resources:
This training will give you an overview of the ACLU of MA's work at the intersection of technology and civil liberties. We will review our related priority legislation for the 2025-2026 state legislative session and how you can take action to support digital privacy in Massachusetts.
Resources:
Massachusetts State Legislature 101: How does it all work anyway?
This training looks at the structure of our state legislature, what happens over the course of our 2-year legislative session, and different scenarios for how a bill becomes law.
February 13, 2025
Have you ever wondered how laws are made in Massachusetts? Have you been interested in a bill or issue but you're not sure how to track its progress?
If so, you're not alone. This training looked at the structure of our state legislature, what happens over the course of our 2-year legislative session, and different scenarios for how a bill becomes law.
Hosted in collaboration with the Boston Public Library.
Resources:
February 13, 2025
Have you ever wondered how laws are made in Massachusetts? Have you been interested in a bill or issue but you're not sure how to track its progress?
If so, you're not alone. This training looked at the structure of our state legislature, what happens over the course of our 2-year legislative session, and different scenarios for how a bill becomes law.
Hosted in collaboration with the Boston Public Library.
Resources:
Pride Month Advocates Academy
Defending the Right To Learn: Combatting Misinformation and Censorship
Thurday, June 20 | 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Collaboration with Greater Boston PFLAG via Zoom
Defending the Right To Learn: Combatting Misinformation and Censorship
Resources:
Additional Resources:
Thurday, June 20 | 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Collaboration with Greater Boston PFLAG via Zoom
Defending the Right To Learn: Combatting Misinformation and Censorship
Resources:
Additional Resources:
Preparing Written and Oral Testimony
Learning how to prepare written and oral testimony is a foundational skill that will help you be a more effective advocate.
April 26, 2023
It is the job of our elected officials to hold public hearings and solicit public comment on a wide variety of issues. Whether you are advocating for an issue at your local town hall meeting or at the state legislature, learning how to prepare written and oral testimony is a foundational skill that will help you be a more effective advocate.
At this Advocates Academy training, we review how to approach preparing written and oral testimony and the key components that will make your testimony effective.
Resources:
April 26, 2023
It is the job of our elected officials to hold public hearings and solicit public comment on a wide variety of issues. Whether you are advocating for an issue at your local town hall meeting or at the state legislature, learning how to prepare written and oral testimony is a foundational skill that will help you be a more effective advocate.
At this Advocates Academy training, we review how to approach preparing written and oral testimony and the key components that will make your testimony effective.
Resources:
Lead Where You Live
Explore how local government works and how to take the first steps to make change for your community.
March 11, 2023
They say all politics is local, but have you ever wondered where to get started? This workshop explored how local government works and how to take the first steps to make change for your community.
Resources:
March 11, 2023
They say all politics is local, but have you ever wondered where to get started? This workshop explored how local government works and how to take the first steps to make change for your community.
Resources:
Hybrid Forum at Bridgewater Public Library
Book Challenges at University, Public, and School Libraries. Hosted by Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights.
October 4, 2023
Moderator
Carole Copeland Thomas, Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Curry College
Panelists
Pamela Hayes-Bohanan, Bridgewater State University, Senior Librarian
Jed Phillips, Bridgewater Public Library, Director
Kristine Richards, Bridgewater/Raynham School District, Coordinator of Teaching & Learning
Laura Rotolo, ACLU MA, Field Director
Resources:
October 4, 2023
Moderator
Carole Copeland Thomas, Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Curry College
Panelists
Pamela Hayes-Bohanan, Bridgewater State University, Senior Librarian
Jed Phillips, Bridgewater Public Library, Director
Kristine Richards, Bridgewater/Raynham School District, Coordinator of Teaching & Learning
Laura Rotolo, ACLU MA, Field Director
Resources:
Right to Learn Webinar
Learn more about how to organize to defend your right to learn.
October 17,2023
Across the country, there is a coordinated attempt to restrict what students can learn, teachers can teach, and libraries can lend. But it's not just happening in other states – it's happening here at home.
In Massachusetts, there were at least 45 attempts to restrict access to books last year, with 57 titles challenged. The vast majority of calls to ban books specifically aim to remove books that are by and about LGBTQ people, communities of color, and other marginalized groups. Massachusetts students have a right to learn in an environment where they feel valued and can think for themselves.
Check out the recording from our Advocates Academy training to learn more about what's happening in Massachusetts, what your rights are, and how to organize against attempts to restrict students' right to learn. This workshop was done in partnership with GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).
Resources:
October 17,2023
Across the country, there is a coordinated attempt to restrict what students can learn, teachers can teach, and libraries can lend. But it's not just happening in other states – it's happening here at home.
In Massachusetts, there were at least 45 attempts to restrict access to books last year, with 57 titles challenged. The vast majority of calls to ban books specifically aim to remove books that are by and about LGBTQ people, communities of color, and other marginalized groups. Massachusetts students have a right to learn in an environment where they feel valued and can think for themselves.
Check out the recording from our Advocates Academy training to learn more about what's happening in Massachusetts, what your rights are, and how to organize against attempts to restrict students' right to learn. This workshop was done in partnership with GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).
Resources:
If you have an idea for a workshop, email us a info@aclum.org
