The Nebraska Table, in partnership with policy expert Renee Fry and Coalition for a Strong Nebraska, is excited to open applications for the third year of Lobby School. This opportunity is open to individuals and organizations hoping to hone their skills and increase their comfort level interacting with and influencing the Nebraska legislative process. Lobby School also aims to support Nebraska Table Member and Partner Organizations in taking a 360-approach to movement building by connecting elections and grassroots efforts to policy work.

Lobby School leverages the expertise of the Nebraska Table Executive Director Meg Mikolajczyk, policy expert Renee Fry, Coalition for a Strong Nebraska Executive Director Laurie Ponce, and Former State Senator Brenda Council - who bring different and complementary skill sets and areas of practice - and the Lobby School alumni network to develop participants' growth in this work. Lobby School is intended to expand the advocacy infrastructure in our state and build power, particularly among Nebraska’s BIPOC and rural communities.  

What to Expect
The next Lobby School cohort will convene September 22, 2023, and end in June 2024. The program will consist of monthly in-person training days before the Nebraska Legislative Session begins,  an in-person cohort meeting on the first day of Legislative Session, regular online cohort meetings during Legislative Session, and weekly one-on-ones with a Lobby School mentor for technical support around policy, direct and grassroots lobbying, and communications. Additional training opportunities can be scheduled as determined by the cohort or as needed. 

The scheduled days for trainings are as follows:
Friday, September 22, 2023
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

During the Nebraska Legislative Session, beginning in January 2024, participants will be paired for support and mentorship with a policy expert, based on each participant’s interest areas and goals. The cohort will move through Session together collaboratively, coming together for training relevant to the phases of legislative policymaking at the state level. Such training may include preparing for and executing a hearing strategy, partnering with senators and other advocates to run floor debate, and developing communications strategies.

The program will end in June 2024, bringing the cohort together to celebrate our successes together and reflect on lessons learned during Session. Cohort participants may also choose to work with their Lobby School mentor and other stakeholders to generate a 5-year policy plan at the culmination of the program.

Application Process
The Nebraska Table will accept Applications for the 2023/2024 Cohort until Monday July 31, 2023.  The 2023/2024 cohort will be limited in size, with applicants being notified of acceptance by mid-August 2023.