Advocacy Leadership Institute at Cascade Bicycle Club
Empowering advocates for bikeable communities
Round 2: January 2013, Seattle
 Learn to lead the pack
The Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI) develops local biking and walking supporters into leaders who will effectively organize and advocate for a safe and connected Seattle. Building on our shared vision of a city where everyone, from an eight-year-old child to her eighty-year-old grandmother, can safely and easily bike to where they need to go, ALI seeks to train a diverse group of ~15 people from across Seattle to organize in their communities, advocate for bicycle-friendly transportation plans, policies and funding, and help us Connect Seattle for people of all ages and abilities.
Round 2 of the Advocacy Leadership Institute will run from Jan. 23 through March 27, meeting nearly weekly on Wednesday nights from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in downtown Seattle.
ALI is a rigorous leadership development program. We offer it at no charge and expect those accepted into ALI to demonstrate a commitment to the Cascade mission of creating better communities through bicycling, attend at least seven out of the eight trainings, engage in the update of the Bicycle Master Plan and continue to advocate for the policies, plans and funding necessary to create a safe and connected Seattle.
Applications are due by Wednesday, Jan 2. 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 and abilities are encouraged to apply.
Add to your toolbox
Graduates of ALI – who we dub “Community Bicycle Advocates” – will have the skills and knowledge to organize, advocate and hold local decision-makers 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 help mix things up over the course of the program and cater to different learning styles, we will host a number of VIP guest speakers who can speak passionately and in detail about the topic at hand, giving you firsthand knowledge from the experts.
By the end of March, you'll have the know-how – as well as the encouragement and support – to effectively
- communicate our position to others, including elected officials;
- identify, recruit and train like-minded individuals;
- run a productive meeting;
- set specific, measurable and attainable goals;
- map the route to success;
- execute your strategy and tactics; and
- lead a team to victory!
Where the rubber hits the road
The Seattle Bicycle Master Plan – the document that dictates what type of bicycling infrastructure gets built in Seattle – is undergoing a complete makeover right now. While the original plan – 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 become the best city for bicycling in America. The updated Bicycle Master Plan should – and with your help, will – result in a blueprint for bicycling in Seattle that incorporates new tools and best practices from around the world, helping us grow and diversify bicycling and vault Seattle into a position of national leadership.
The updated plan is expected to be adopted by City Council in the spring or summer of 2013. In addition to ensuring that the final plan puts the City on the trajectory of making Seattle the most bike-friendly city in the nation, we need to make sure that the Bicycle Master Plan is funded and built over the coming years. That’s why we need you on the ground in your community, making sure projects are built correctly, educating your friends and neighbors and pushing for additional funding to build out the plan.
Imagine biking with your friends and family to the transit station, school, park, grocery store – even downtown – on streets that are safe and comfortable. Imagine cruising from one neighborhood to another on a seamless network of neighborhood greenways and protected bikeways. This plan update is our chance to help create a Seattle where bicycling is safe, convenient and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities. This is our chance to connect Seattle – and we need you to get it done.
Timeline and schedule
Applications are due on Jan. 2, 2013 and brief interviews with selected applicants will be conducted during the week of Jan. 6. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program by Jan. 11 and the first workshop will take place on the 23rd. The full 2013 workshop scheduled is listed below.
In addition to the eight workshops, participants are asked to attend at least one Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board (SBAB) meeting during the course of ALI. SBAB is the primary advisory committee for the Bicycle Master Plan Update and the public meetings are a great way to engage in the update process. SBAB meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. in City Hall.
 Workshop #1: Jan. 23
Telling your story
Workshop #2: Jan. 30
Bicycle planning, policy and funding
SBAB Meeting: Feb. 6
Workshop #3: Feb. 13
Elements of a campaign plan
Workshop #4: Feb. 20
Organizing around goals – Connect Seattle
Workshop #5: Feb. 27
Leadership development and team building
SBAB Meeting: March 6
Workshop #6: March 13
Strategy and tactics
Workshop #7: March 20
Media and communications
Workshop #8: March 27
Moving the campaign forward
SBAB Meeting: April 2
Graduation party: April 10 (tentative)
Celebrate your achievements and the journey ahead
Pedal on
As a trained Community Bicycle Advocate, we expect that you will continue to work with us to connect Seattle for people of all ages and abilities. We are committed to offering you the support and encouragement you need as we embark together on the journey to make Seattle the best city for bicycling in the nation. We'll also continue to offer you opportunities to develop new skills and apply them, network with other leaders within the bicycle movement and engage with fellow Community Bicycle Advocates (those trained in ALI Round 1), as well as Cascade Bicycle Club staff, Board members and the Executive Director. It’s a big family and we look forward to welcoming you!
Hear from our graduates
To see what our 2012 ALI graduates thought of the program, visit our blog.
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 Jan. 2, 2013 to MaxHB@cascadebicycleclub.org. Interviews with selected candidates will take place during the week of Jan. 6 and applicants will be notified by Jan. 11.
Download the ALI application.
Questions? Call or email Max Hepp-Buchanan (206-226-1040).
 This program is made possible, in part, through a Performance Better Bicycling Community Grant.
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