(picture: Warrior Writers, proof of the accomplishments possible when Veterans and Allies work together)

June 16–20, 2010 Chicago IL

Important Dates & Deadlines:
MAY 21: All applications for National Leadership and Organizing Training DUE.
JUNE 16 – 20: Leadership and Organizing Training in Chicago IL.
JUNE 22 - 26: US Social Forum in Detroit MI: GI Resistance Workshop & Building a GI and Veterans Movement Workshop

WHAT:
A five-day training that will cover leadership development, organizing skills, and an intensive on campaign preparation for veterans and allies. The training will be facilitated by the IVAW Field Organizing Team, the Civilian Soldier Alliance organizers, and professional organizing trainers from a variety of backgrounds. The skills participants will be learning will be taught within the context of preparing to build IVAW’s GI & Veteran Bill of Rights Campaign. We will also spend time on group discussions, strategizing, goal setting, and developing timelines and work plans to build and execute the campaign.

Training topics will include:
Intro to IVAW’s organizing model
Outreach & Chapter Building: One on Ones, team building etc.
Facilitation & Decision Making
Strategy, campaign development & analysis
Coalition & Strategic Alliance Building
Materials Production & Design
Mental Health & Sustainability: Home Front Battle Buddies and other methods
Messaging & Media
Fundraising

Participants will leave with explicit plans and next steps on:
-The emerging National Campaign for a GI and Veterans Bill of Rights including;
-National Welcome Home March and other upcoming events & actions
-Organizational Development
-Membership drive & Outreach
-Strategic priorities: GI Coffee Houses & Active Duty Bases

WHO SHOULD APPLY:
IVAW member and ally applicants should be in a position to commit to and prioritize organizing work related to the GI & Veterans Bill of Rights Campaign for a minimum of three months following the training.

IVAW member applicants are encouraged to invite their closest local allies to apply to the training.
Ally applicants should have experience organizing closely with IVAW member leaders, and must be committed to developing those relationships and building the GI & Veterans Bill of Rights campaign.
All participants will go through the training with a buddy (one veteran & one ally or 2 veterans), with whom they will check in with and reflect/ process with through out the training. Ideally the pair is from the same area so they can return home and continue working together.

All IVAW members and allies must apply and will be accepted based on their investment and commitment to organizing on a local and national level. 20 IVAW member leaders and 15-20 ally organizers will be accepted.

WHY HAVE A NATIONAL LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZING TRAINING:
This training is designed to expedite the development of IVAW’s emerging national Veteran and GI bill of rights campaign and the organizing efforts of IVAW and our collaborating allies, including: Civilian Soldier Alliance, GI Coffee Houses, War Resisters League, Veterans For Peace, Courage to Resist, Military Families Speak Out and Vietnam Veterans Against the War, US Labor Against the War.

This training will be a space for IVAW members and their allies to support each other in developing leadership and organizing skills, and a common orientation and commitment to upcoming organizing work.

LOGISTICS:
Free housing, food, and childcare will be provided for the duration of the training.
There are limited funds for travel. If you do need support in this area, that should not prevent you from applying. We will make sure you can get to the training if you are accepted!!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE GI & VETERAN BILL OF RIGHTS CAMPAIGN OR HOW TO APPLY TO THE IVAW AND CIVILIAN SOLDIER ALLIANCE NATIONAL ORGANIZING AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING CONTACT:

Civilian Soldier Alliance Organizer
Lily Hughes- info@civsol.org


The US Social Forum June 22-26, Detroit MI:
The week after our training is the US Social Forum (USSF), the largest movement building gathering of social justice activists and organizers from around the country. Ideally we will be able to fund group travel, (for all participants who are able to attend) to the US Social Forum.

IVAW and Civilian Soldier Alliance will be delivering two workshops at the social forum. It will also be an excellent place for networking, building membership, and getting inspired by other amazing organizations!

ONLINE APPLICATION - CIVILIAN ALLIES