Advocacy Leadership Institute at Cascade Bicycle Club
Creating advocates for bikeable communities
Seattle – 2012
Learn to lead the pack
 The Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI) will develop local bicycle proponents and enthusiasts into leaders who advocate - and inspire others to advocate - for a bike-friendly Seattle. Building on Cascade Bicycle Club's mission to create better communities through bicycling, ALI will train a diverse group of 15 people from across Seattle to organize in their communities, advocate for bicycle-friendly transportation plans and policies, and get better bicycling infrastructure built on the ground.
The 2012 Advocacy Leadership Institute will run from July 11 through Sept. 24, meeting nearly weekly on Wednesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Seattle. Participants are expected to attend at least six out of the eight trainings. Though the program is free, participants must be truly committed to making Seattle a great city for bicycling.
Applications are due by Friday, June 1. Admittance to the program will be based on your passion for making Seattle a world-class city for bicycling. Minorities, women, and people of all ages are encouraged to apply.
Add to your toolbox
Upon completion of the program, graduates (Community Bicycle Advocates) will have the skills and knowledge to organize, advocate, and hold City of Seattle staff and other leaders accountable for making Seattle a more bike-friendly city. ALI starts with the basics of organizing and progresses each week as participants learn and practice new skills.
To mix things up, we'll host a different guest speaker at every session who can speak passionately and in detail about the topic at hand, giving you access to experts' first-hand knowledge.
By the end September, you'll have the know-how – as well as the , encouragement, and support –to effectively
- communicate your position
- gather like-minded individuals
- run an efficient meeting
- identify needs and present demands
- map your route to success
- put your plan into action
- lead a team to victory!
Where the rubber hits the road
The Seattle Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) is in the process of being updated this year. While the original BMP – adopted in 2007 – was a strong plan at the time, we have the opportunity right now to update the old plan and ensure that Seattle does what it takes to lead the nation in bicycling infrastructure, innovation and policy.
The 2012 BMP update should – and with your help, will – result in a world-class plan that incorporates new tools and best practices from around the world, helping us diversify bicycling and vault Seattle into a position of national leadership. Imagine riding your bike to the transit station, school, park, grocery store – even downtown – on neighborhood greenways and enhanced, protected bike lanes. This plan update is our chance to help create a Seattle that bicycles, where bicycling is normal, and where it is convenient, and safe for everyone.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be conducting extensive public outreach to gather information on what should go into the BMP's five-year update, and we need to make sure that its full potential is realized. In addition to the eight trainings this summer, we will deploy a variety of fun, hands-on tactics to get our positions heard loud and clear, inspire others to take action and inform what goes into the final BMP.
In addition, the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board (SBAB) – the primary advisory committee for the BMP update – will be meeting monthly throughout the summer to review and comment on elements of the draft plan. SBAB meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seattle City Hall. Important decisions are made about the update of the BMP during these meetings, and ALI participants are expected to attend at least one SBAB meeting over the course of the program in order to engage with the planning process.
Timeline and schedule
Applications are due on June 1 and interviews will be conducted during the week of June 11. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program during the week of June 18. Required classes and meeting are listed below; in addition, there will be a multitude of bike rides, happy hours and other fun opportunities along the way.
 Class 1 –- July 11, 2012
Story of the campaign
Class 2 – - July 18, 2012
Elements of a campaign plan: goals and organizational considerations
Class 3 – - July 25, 2012
Elements of a campaign plan: constituents, allies, opponents and targets
Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board Meeting -– August 1, 2012
Must attend at least one during the program
Class 4 -– Aug. 8, 2012
Strategic vehicle –- how we win
Class 5 –- Aug. 15, 2012
Elements of a campaign plan: strategies and tactics
Class 6 –- August 22, 2012
Leadership development and team building
Class 7 –- August 29, 2012
Communications and media strategy
Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board Meeting -– Sept. 5, 2012
Must attend at least one during the program
Class 8 -– Sept. 19, 2012
Putting it all together
Graduation party –- Sept. 26, 2012
Celebrate your achievements and the journey ahead
Pedal on
We want you to continue working with us once you complete the program and will offer you support and encouragement as you build upon your commitment to making Seattle the best city for bicycling in the nation. In return, we'll continue to offer opportunities for you to develop new skills and apply them, network with other leaders within the bike movement and engage with Cascade Bicycle Club’s staff, board members, and executive director. Welcome to the family!
Apply today
People of all ages, backgrounds, and bicycling abilities are encouraged to apply. To do so, please submit your resume and completed application by June 1 to Max Hepp-Buchanan, Advocacy Campaigns Manager (MaxHB@cascadebicycleclub.org). Interviews with selected candidates will take place during the week of June 11. Please call with any questions.
Download the ALI application.
Questions? Call or email Max Hepp-Buchanan (206-226-1040).
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