SIGNATURE TRAINING MODULES

FOR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF

Unlike other organizations, TSG does not consider "customized training" to be programs that are pulled off the shelf and presented with your organization’s name thrown in during the training. You tell us your highest priority outcomes and we reverse–engineer the problem to design a curriculum that produces those outcomes.

All of our efforts are custom-designed based on learning outcomes that reflect comments and feedback from the actual trainees and staff that we collect prior to the training. We do, however, offer numerous signature programs that use formats we have refined over time as the starting point for your custom-designed effort. Several of our workshops are based on proprietary TSG grassroots research offered only through The Showalter Group, Inc.

All workshops are designed for maximum group participation and interaction.

"Amy is the Oprah Winfrey of grassroots!"

- Christy Kendall
Political Director
National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies

"Amy is engaging, funny and smart. She stayed on track at a reasonable pace. She is chock full of anecdotes about what does and doesn't work. As a result, I will implement a system of more personalized messages to my prospective Key Contacts."

- Linda S. Lucas
Director of Grassroots Advocacy,
American Speech Language and Hearing Association

See Amy in action! View her video below.

GRASSROOTS AND PAC ADVOCATE WORKSHOPS

"I have been to numerous grassroots/advocacy training seminars and they tend to be advocacy 101 with little or no information from which to grow or improve your grassroots network. You presented new ideas, new ways of looking at the familiar and new ways to think creatively about the challenges of keeping our grassroots advocates informed and interested in participating in our agenda."

- Jane Weirich
American Cancer Society
Regional Advocacy Manager

"How to Read Your Lawmaker's Mind"

Why legislators think the way they do, and how to communicate and connect with the legislators' values.

"The "Rules" for Getting Your Point Across"

Why most articulate, well-meaning advocates do not communicate persuasively with their legislators and how to be a confident, compelling advocate.

"Amy brings an enthusiasm and knowledge of the process that is unique and timely. Her years of practical hands-on experience really shows, and most importantly, motivates."

- John Willey
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Inc.

"Avoiding the Serial Supplicant Trap - 105 Ways to Keep in Touch with Your Elected Officials All Year ^sm"

How to build a credible relationship beyond just attending fundraisers.

"I have always been very active in politics by holding fundraisers in my home. I really did not think that I would have a lot to learn from this workshop. However, Amy has such a unique way of presenting new information. I gained new insights that will make me even more effective in building relationships with my elected officials."

- Joy Myers
National Audubon Society

"High-Impact, Low-Budget Grassroots"
How to Get Your Employees to Go to Bat for Your Company

Specific steps to engage employees without spending money.

"How to Survive and Thrive in a Crowded Room"

Stop watching your advocates huddle together at political events. Teach them how to maximize their time at every event, be comfortable, stay on message and have fun.

"How to Be a Motivating Grassroots and PAC Team Leader — No–cost Ways to Gain Grassroots and PAC Loyalty, Enthusiasm and Action"

Why being a good writer and manager isn’t enough and how to become a master motivator. This workshop is appropriate for staff and volunteer leaders such as state chapter presidents, PAC recruiters and board members, field coordinators, etc.

"Putting the Roots into Grassroots and PAC - No Cost Ways to Internally Market Your Grassroots and PAC"

Conquer the #1 concern in the industry -- a lack of internal understanding, support, and resources for grassroots, PAC, and even lobbying efforts.

Principles of Persuasion Workshop

Principles of Persuasion Workshop/Communications Audit    (.pdf)

How to ethically use the science of persuasion to gain more grassroots and PAC success; and influence legislators.

“What a great program! You connected very well with our members. The evaluations from our attendees have been very positive.”

- Derenda Updegrave
Government Affairs Director
Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS

"Although we have one of the larger PAC's in the country, we always look for ways to improve. Amy's session on the science of persuasion and how to ethically integrate it into our PAC presentations received very high reviews from our members. Based on specific after-conference evaluations, her session was extremely well received. She took our PAC leadership to a higher level in their PAC fundraising strategy. We will include Amy at future events."

- Ned Monroe
Director of Political Affairs
Associated Builders and Contractors

"Thank you for speaking at our National RPAC Conference. Our State chapter members and staff have not stopped talking about your presentation regarding the science of persuasion and how it relates to PAC fundraising."

- John E. Ferruggiaro, II
Managing Director, Political Field Operations
National Association of Realtors

"I learned how to approach someone who may be opposed to our issue and turn them around. Amy is knowledgeable, credible and likeable."

- Barbara Little
Ethyl Corporation

"The scientific information on why so many people rely on what others are thinking before making a decision was very valuable. I will use this information to lobby more effectively."

- Claude Boudrias
American Chemical Council

"We appreciated how you customized your talk. You made the science of persuasion applicable not only to PAC fundraising, but to the real estate profession, as well."

-Timothy Calnen
Vice President of Government Affairs
Connecticut Association of Realtors, Inc.

"Even though our PAC is the largest in the state, and our members certainly know how to sell, we continuously seek to improve our RPAC fundraising efforts. Our members raved about Amy's scientific persuasion approach to fundraising because it works for PAC fundraising, and for any sales situation."

-Jim Hilz
Director, Government Affairs
Ohio Association of Realtors (formerly)

President
BIA Central Ohio

Fortune "Power 25" Benchmarking Workshop

TSG's Grassroots Quality and Effectiveness Benchmarking Inventory    (.pdf)

Compare your advocacy to the most effective lobbying groups in the country. Learn how they recruit, retain, and motivate their quality advocates and what they tried that didn't work.

"Thank you for speaking at our State Leaders Workshop! You were a real hit! We heard nothing but positive comments from our State Chapter Leaders. I am confident that they left motivated and energized to effectively recruit and motivate more audiology advocates."

- Jodi Chappell
Director of Health Care Policy
American Academy of Audiology

"The discussion of recruitment and retention competencies was very valuable. I am planning to incorporate this information into our department's annual planning session. Amy is an engaging speaker and a quick thinker. She covered a broad amount of information in a short time."

- Brad Lowrey
Virginia Farm Bureau

"I plan to use the information on new ways to solicit feedback with our field staff and members so we can gain feedback and make adjustments more quickly. This workshop taught me new ways to seek volunteer feedback. I'm going to use this with our field staff to solicit information more quickly."

-Tom Nugent
Michigan Farm Bureau

"Amy has a good delivery style and energy. Her tips on recruitment and retention of volunteers were very valuable. I'm going to use this information to shape the organization's volunteer management efforts."

- Katherine Krause, Vice President, Advocacy
American Heart Association

Proprietary TSG Research-Based Workshop (.pdf)

Learn the top four reasons quality advocates disengage and how to use the science of influence and motivation to prevent it.

"I found most valuable Amy's strategies and solutions to common problems we all have. I will utilize this and pass it on to our communications staff, as well. She has good communication skills, and great material that is well presented. She includes the participants in her workshops."

Buddy Jennings
South Carolina Farm Bureau

"This made me think about what we should be doing as we launch our grassroots program. Amy included solid references to motivational psychology and demonstrated grounding in the science of persuasion, rather than “PR 101.”

- Kevan Fenderson
Albertson’s

“I’m going to use this information to re-invigorate current PAC members’ motivation and stimulate interest from potential members. I found most valuable the admonition to review any internal deficiencies in educating and persuading employees on why their views should mirror the views of the company. I found this to be very informative and very forward thinking. Amy is highly motivated and motivational!"

-Carrie Gladney
R. R. Donnelley

“Amy’s research will help us understand, influence and motivate our members to stay involved. We’re going to analyze how we compel our members to stay involved and meet their expectations, not just those of the lobbyists.”

-Jeffry Wollitz
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida

“I learned how to manage our member’s expectations. Amy has expertise based on real world experience.”

-Gregory Knopp
National Association of Realtors

"The Nineteen Realities No One Will Tell You About Grassroots Leadership"

This workshop accelerates grassroots leadership skills by revealing the real challenges and expectations of today's grassroots leaders. Learn from Amy's real-world experience and achievements in leading a highly esteemed grassroots program.

*"Influence In Under an Hour"

As influence consultants, we asked ourselves: "What's the most useful information to know about the persuasion process, that could be taught in under an hour?" This is the essential quick-start guide to persuasion & compliance, taught from a scientific perspective.

*"Stages of Change"

One of the most common mistakes made by government affairs professionals is that we do not understand our prospect's current position. When prospects DO change, they do so in a predictable number of stages. Each stage requires a different type of message. Learn the stages and you'll dramatically improve your influence success.

*"The Ideal Communicator for Hostile Audiences"

There are lots of tactics that work successfully for friendly or neutral audiences. Hostile audiences are a different matter altogether. This presentation will show you how to successfully communicate with audiences that don't like you or your message.

*"Orbits of Influence"

There are scores of influence tactics that may be used to move or change a prospect. Learn how to select the appropriate tactic for the situation and the prospect.

"High Output Grassroots - The Keys to Successful Grassroots Mobilizations"

This workshop outlines the specific, step-by-step instructions that must be a part of any grassroots mobilization and what you must do before and after an action call to maximize your results..

"How to Avoid the 10 Deadly Sins of Grassroots Leaders"

Unfortunately, there are sure-fire ways that a grassroots leader can take a program to premature ruin. This workshop reveals the 10 Deadly Sins, which lead to grassroots apathy and kill grassroots momentum.

"How to Find, Keep, and Fire Grassroots Activists"

How to find and lead advocates and solve common advocate management challenges.

"Counting Isn't Enough - How to Measure your Grassroots and PAC Efforts"

Why the number of responses to a grassroots mobilization and PAC receipts are a simplistic measurement of your efforts; and how to measure what matters and market it for real results.

"How to Manage the Expectations of a Grassroots Program"

Learn what your middle management, grassroots, PAC, volunteers, Board, and senior organization leaders expect of grassroots programs.

"Beyond Dinners and Plaques—How to Produce Raging Thunder Advocates Through Reward and Recognition"

Learn no-cost and low-cost ways to recognize grassroots and PAC members beyond dinners, plaques and receptions, as well as how to cultivate an attitude of praise and recognition every day.

A highly interactive strategy, planning, and goal setting workshop. Participants leave with a strategic development plan.

"How to Avoid the Fatal Flaws of Grassroots and PAC Programs"

Avoid the common structural flaws in grassroots and PAC programs before they become unproductive habits.

What People Are Saying About Presentation Skills for Public Affairs Staff Workshop

Take your presentations from average to awesome to gain more involvement and commitment for your cause.

Trainee Comments

“I found the video of myself and the group critique very helpful. Amy has a lot of helpful suggestions such as using personal stories and how to use them effectively. She’s a great communicator and makes it fun.”

“Amy taught me how to be myself on the platform. It’s easier, and it makes me much more credible. Amy, herself, has great eye contact and creates the momentum in our sessions.”

“I’m going to use this information to have fun in speaking. Coming up with good stories to tell people will make my presentations even stronger.”

“Amy creates a very comfortable learning environment”

“Amy has found her calling!”

“Great for all levels—she improves the skills of the developing speaker and the experienced ones also.”

* Co-delivered with Kelton Rhoads, Ph.D.

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