BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Social Current - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Social Current X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.social-current.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Social Current REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260505T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260505T140000 DTSTAMP:20260423T062009 CREATED:20260323T150059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T150240Z UID:10000599-1777986000-1777989600@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Communicating With Confidence in an Uncertain Federal Policy Climate  DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n When advocating on behalf of our organizations and communities\, the language we use and how we frame our messages are among our greatest opportunities for connection. As we craft compelling messages\, it is essential to prepare and deliver them with discipline\, consistency\, and authenticity.  \nOur May Grassroots Advocacy Network convening will offer a practical framework for strengthening advocacy communications in times of ambiguity and risk. Participants will explore opportunities to apply values-driven messaging while navigating a rapidly shifting and often uncertain federal environment. The session will highlight strategies for maintaining messaging clarity\, which will help you to respond swiftly and with confidence.  \nParticipants will also examine common challenges that arise after messages are developed\, including managing the internal approval processes and aligning staff and board communications. Through real-world scenarios and peer discussion\, participants will build the skills needed to communicate with confidence\, protect organizational integrity\, and sustain effective advocacy across shifting political landscapes.  \nTakeaways\n\nHow to apply values-driven messaging frameworks to communicate with clarity and confidence in uncertain and fast-moving policy environments\nHow to establish internal guardrails and approval processes that support timely\, disciplined advocacy\nTips for coordinating messaging across staff\, leaders\, boards\, and partners to ensure consistency and credibility\nHow to respond effectively to urgent or high-pressure advocacy situations while protecting organizational integrity and long-term strategy\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\n \n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/communicating-with-confidence-in-an-uncertain-federal-policy-climate/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T140000 DTSTAMP:20260423T062009 CREATED:20260311T194448Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260327T161135Z UID:10000600-1778072400-1778076000@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Understanding the Impacts of H.R. 1 DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n H.R. 1 promises to reshape funding\, compliance requirements\, and advocacy opportunities\, but varying implementation dates can create uncertainty about when the law’s provisions will be enacted. This webinar will review key implementation dates alongside practical guidance to understand the bill’s impact across the social sector.  \nParticipants will learn concrete strategies for monitoring federal activity\, assessing potential impacts on funding and compliance\, and communicating implications to their leadership teams and boards. This webinar will help participants ground policy analysis in organizational decision making through proactive planning\, risk management\, and strategic advocacy\, which is critical in a rapidly shifting federal landscape. \nTakeaways\n\nKey H.R. 1 provisions\, timelines\, and areas of impact and their implications for funding\, compliance\, and advocacy\nAdvocacy opportunities following guidance\, memorandums\, and regulatory notices\nEarly indicators of federal funding shifts\nFrameworks for assessing organizational exposure\nStrategies for communicating emerging risks and opportunities to leadership teams and boards\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\n \n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/understanding-the-impacts-of-h-r-1/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260602T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260602T140000 DTSTAMP:20260423T062009 CREATED:20260323T150147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T150224Z UID:10000601-1780405200-1780408800@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Preparing for August Recess Through Strategic Advocacy   DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n The August congressional recess is one of the most important timeframes for nonprofits to influence their representatives\, but it can be challenging to determine the most impactful pathways to engage and advocate. This session will share how to use power mapping to develop strategies that reflect organizational values\, address challenging political dynamics\, and encourage community-wide involvement. Participants will learn how to use influence mapping to design precise\, legislator-specific engagement strategies ahead of August recess. \nTakeaways\n\nDistinguish between formal authority and informal influence\nMap ideological incentives and electoral pressures\nIdentify bipartisan strategies\nDevelop legislator-specific engagement plans for August recess\nBuild influence while mitigating reputational risk\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\n \n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/preparing-for-august-recess-through-strategic-advocacy/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260611T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260611T140000 DTSTAMP:20260423T062009 CREATED:20260323T145639Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T145641Z UID:10000598-1781182800-1781186400@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Influencing Policy Decision Makers  DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n Policy decisions are shaped long before votes are cast or guidance is issued. The most effective advocacy efforts begin when issues are being defined\, priorities are being determined\, and policy options are still forming. For human services organizations\, engaging early in the policy process is essential to ensuring lived experience\, program data\, and community needs inform outcomes from the start.  \nOur June Grassroots Advocacy Network convening will offer a practical framework for engaging and influencing policy decision makers across both legislative and administrative contexts. Participants will explore how policy ideas move from concept to action and identify strategic entry points for advocacy at each stage of the policy development process. The session will focus on how to frame issues proactively\, build relationships with policymakers\, and align advocacy strategies with organizational capacity and long-term goals.  \nThrough strategies and peer discussion\, participants will strengthen their ability to expand their influence\, shape policy at its earliest stages\, and position their organizations as trusted partners in policy development.  \nTakeaways\n\nKey stages of the policy development process and tailor engagement strategies accordingly\nHow to proactively frame issues to influence how problems\, priorities\, and solutions are defined by decisionmakers\nTips for building and sustaining relationships with policymakers\nHow to select advocacy entry points that align with organizational capacity\, timing\, and long-term strategy\nStrategies for moving beyond reactive advocacy by proactively engaging as part of ongoing policy and program work\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\n \n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/influencing-policy-decision-makers/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260707T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260707T140000 DTSTAMP:20260423T062009 CREATED:20260323T145850Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T150302Z UID:10000602-1783429200-1783432800@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Take Back Your Narrative: Message Discipline Under Pressure DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n In a rapidly shifting federal climate\, it becomes increasingly important to ensure advocacy messaging remains disciplined\, values driven\, and mission oriented. This session will focus on crafting communications that withstand scrutiny\, protect credibility\, and support long-term policy goals. Participants will learn how to structure messages\, stress-test language\, and ensure consistency across leadership\, boards\, and communications teams. \nTakeaways\n\nHow to build a message framework anchored in values\, evidence\, and a clear policy ask\nHow to stress-test language for political and reputational vulnerability\nHow to translate complex policy issues into bipartisan narratives\nTips for maintaining message consistency across internal stakeholders\nHow to align advocacy messaging with compliance and fiduciary oversight\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\n \n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/take-back-your-narrative-message-discipline-under-pressure/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T140000 DTSTAMP:20260423T062009 CREATED:20260312T191006Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T202105Z UID:10000597-1784120400-1784124000@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Leveraging Program Outcomes to Drive Policy Change DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n Often\, the most impactful advocacy efforts take place after a bill is passed. By monitoring progress\, assessing effectiveness\, and adapting strategies accordingly\, organizations can strengthen their impact over time. Intentional evaluation ensures advocacy remains proactive\, strategic\, and aligned with outcomes. \nOur July Grassroots Advocacy Network convening will offer a practical framework for monitoring and evaluating advocacy campaigns to support continuous learning and improvement. Participants will explore strategies for setting clear advocacy goals\, identifying meaningful indicators of progress\, and tracking both short-term wins and long-term influence across legislative and administrative efforts. \nThe session will also discuss metrics to understand which approaches have held the greatest impact and where campaigns may benefit from adjustments. Using data and framing\, we will also discuss strategies for communicating impact to leadership\, funders\, and partners. \nTakeaways\n\nQualitative and quantitative indicators to track progress across advocacy campaigns\nThe difference between outputs\, outcomes\, and longer-term influence in complex policy environments\nMonitoring and evaluation tools to assess strengths\, challenges\, and opportunities for growth\nHow to use evaluation findings to refine advocacy strategies\, inform decision making\, and support continuous improvement\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\, MSW\n \n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\, MSW\n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current \n \n Abigail Levine\, MSW\, joined Social Current in 2024 as its field mobilization and policy manager. Abigail has worked closely at the state and local levels to implement robust trauma-informed programming\, increase children’s access to positive childhood experiences\, and promote safer experiences within schools for children with disabilities. In her previous role as a policy analyst\, Abigail worked closely with multiple stakeholders\, including parents\, educators\, and law enforcement\, to develop\, advocate for\, and implement legislation representative of their community’s unique needs. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/leveraging-program-outcomes-to-drive-policy-change/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260804T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260804T140000 DTSTAMP:20260423T062009 CREATED:20260316T201624Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T202159Z UID:10000603-1785848400-1785852000@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Building a Sustainable Advocacy Infrastructure DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n Advocacy cannot rely on one staff member or one moment of urgency. Lasting policy influence requires shared ownership\, internal clarity\, and intentional systems that allow organizations to act with confidence and consistency over time. Without clear roles\, decision-making pathways\, and processes\, even the most compelling advocacy goals can stall when pressure mounts. \nThis session will guide organizations through the core components of a sustainable advocacy infrastructure\, clarifying roles\, decision-making processes\, and opportunities for engagement. Participants will explore practical frameworks for aligning leadership\, staff\, and community voices; establishing internal protocols for rapid response; and right-sizing advocacy efforts to match organizational capacity. By the end of the session\, participants will be better equipped to build an advocacy structure that supports timely action\, reduces burnout\, and strengthens their organization’s ability to advance long-term policy change. \nTakeaways\n\nClarify roles between executive leadership\, board members\, communications staff\, and policy leads\nCreate internal decision trees for public engagement\nEstablish escalation and approval protocols\nDevelop criteria for coalition participation\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\, MSW\n \n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\, MSW\n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current \n \n Abigail Levine\, MSW\, joined Social Current in 2024 as its field mobilization and policy manager. Abigail has worked closely at the state and local levels to implement robust trauma-informed programming\, increase children’s access to positive childhood experiences\, and promote safer experiences within schools for children with disabilities. In her previous role as a policy analyst\, Abigail worked closely with multiple stakeholders\, including parents\, educators\, and law enforcement\, to develop\, advocate for\, and implement legislation representative of their community’s unique needs. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/building-a-sustainable-advocacy-infrastructure/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260813T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260813T140000 DTSTAMP:20260423T062009 CREATED:20260316T201812Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T202255Z UID:10000604-1786626000-1786629600@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Anticipating Policy Change DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n Rapidly issued executive orders and guidance can introduce significant changes and require immediate implementation\, even when they seem to arrive without warning. The August Grassroots Advocacy Network convening will discuss pathways to prepare for potential policy and regulatory shifts by examining executive actions\, litigation trends\, appropriations signals\, and early agency guidance. \nThis webinar is designed to strengthen advocates’ ability to read and interpret potential signals of change\, strengthening their ability to prepare leadership\, protect funding\, and respond strategically. Participants will explore strategies to identify early indicators of policy shifts\, monitor multiple policy channels\, and translate emerging information into actionable insights for their leadership and advocacy teams. \nThe session will emphasize practical approaches to scenario planning\, internal communication\, and decision making that support proactive advocacy. Through applied examples and peer discussion\, participants will build the skills to anticipate change and position their organizations to respond with confidence and strategic intent. \nTakeaways\n\nIdentify early indicators of policy change\, including executive actions\, litigation trends\, appropriations signals\, and emerging agency guidance\nTranslate early policy signals into actionable insights for leadership\, boards\, and advocacy teams\nEstablish internal roles\, routines\, and communication pathways to support ongoing policy monitoring\nApply scenario planning techniques to prepare for potential policy developments and reduce reactive decision making\n\nWho Should Attend\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\, MSW\n \n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abigail Levine\, MSW\n Field Mobilization and Policy Manager\nSocial Current \n \n Abigail Levine\, MSW\, joined Social Current in 2024 as its field mobilization and policy manager. Abigail has worked closely at the state and local levels to implement robust trauma-informed programming\, increase children’s access to positive childhood experiences\, and promote safer experiences within schools for children with disabilities. In her previous role as a policy analyst\, Abigail worked closely with multiple stakeholders\, including parents\, educators\, and law enforcement\, to develop\, advocate for\, and implement legislation representative of their community’s unique needs. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/anticipating-policy-change/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR