Talking about politics isn’t easy. How do you create a compelling message that will resonate with other volunteers – and influence the debate? And once you have a great message, how do you pitch the story to the press?
Come to an in-depth (for beginners!) training session this coming Monday, April 2nd. TJ Helmstetter, who worked on communications with Working Families Party, and Amy Spitalnick, Communications Director for State Senator Daniel Squadron, will be providing us with a training during an interactive discussion.
Monday, April 2nd, 7 – 9 PM
How to Communicate with Press – for Advocates
SEIU/CIR office conference room / 520 8th Avenue, Suite 1200 between 36th & 37th St.
Light snacks and drinks will be served. Space is limited! Please RSVP on Facebook or to Naomi.Rothwell2@gmail.com
Speakers:
TJ Helmstetter – Whether it’s at one of the country’s most progressive political operations or the Democratic Party’s most prominent “new media” agency, T.J. Helmstetter is engaged in making change happen. Most recently, he served as Communications Director at New York’s labor-backed Working Families Party, during a year when the Party won big on elections and issues ranging from green jobs to a less-regressive tax code. In that role, T.J. served as spokesman for the Party while also bringing its online fundraising operation to new heights. Previously, as a consultant with Blue State Digital, he worked with progressive causes (and corporate clients, too) to raise their profiles (and their dollars) online. While at BSD, he was most proud of his work with LGBT causes including Freedom to Marry and the launch of Dan Savage’s inspirational “It GetsBetter” campaign. Earlier, T.J. began his career as an organizer at Garden State Equality and he worked on political campaigns in New Jersey. This year, T.J. is taking on his most exciting endeavor yet as the campaign manager for a Democratic Congressional challenger running against one of New York’s most right-wing incumbents.
Amy Spitalnick is the Communications Director for New York State Senator Daniel Squadron, who represents Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. She previously served as Press Secretary for J Street, the Washington, DC – based pro-Israel, pro-peace advocacy organization, which she joined just after the organization’s 2008 launch. At J Street, Amy served as national spokesperson for the organization and trained activists around the country in messaging and communications. She has also worked on a number of campaigns, including Dennis Shulman’s 2008 campaign for New Jersey’s fifth congressional district and Anthony Weiner’s 2005 New York City mayoral campaign. Amy graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and holds a bachelors degree in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies. She was awarded the 2008 Dutko Fellowship for Policy and Public Service. While at Tufts, Amy served as President of Tufts Hillel and held a number of internships in the political communications world. She spent a year living in Jerusalem, where she studied at the Hebrew University. Amy lives in New York, where she was born and raised. In her spare time, she enjoys hockey (watching, not playing) and exploring New York’s food culture.