Schedule and offerings are subject to change.

Saturday, January 24 – Intensive Trainings – 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Advanced Fundraising

In this intensive two-hour workshop targeted for Affiliate staff, Board Members and volunteer leaders with fund raising responsibilities, professional fundraisers review the essentials of implementing a successful fundraising plan. Presenters will share perspectives and guide a discussion focusing on trends in foundation grant making, major donor outreach and on-line fund raising in light of the current economic climate.

Practical Advice on Individual Death Row Cases

This workshop is designed for death row family members and prisoner advocates who want to go beyond providing moral support for friends and loved ones facing execution. Using the Capital Defense Handbook for Defendants and Their Families, participants will learn how to become an asset to the legal team involved in the case. While this is not a clinic on individual cases, there will be opportunities to ask questions and seek guidance.

Murder Victim Family Members in the Struggle Against the Death Penalty

Murder victim family members are a vital part of the movement to abolish the death penalty, not only as spokespersons but also as leaders in the movement. This extended session explores the intricacies of finding and working with family members ready to take a public stand. Workshop elements include recruitment and organizing strategies, effective message development, lobbying and more. Note: This workshop is specifically designed for murder victim family members and affiliate staff/leaders whose role includes working with them.

Saturday, January 24 – QuickShops – 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Quickshops are 30 minute information-packed sessions that will provide you with the opportunity to take in several in a short period of time. Some will be repeated to provide more options.

Basic Arguments Against the Death Penalty

This quickshop provides the main arguments against the death penalty: what are the key messages and when should they be employed?

On-line Social Networking and E-Advocacy

Looking for tactics to mobilize your membership through the Internet? This session takes a look at action alerts, blogging, and social networking sites.

How to Organize a Race to Heal: Supporting Local Anti-Death Penalty Campaign

NCADP is launching a new on-line initiative to enable individuals to fund raise for their state organizations and support efforts to assist murder victim and death row family members.

There’s a Lot to Do if You Are In a Non-Death Penalty State    

You are fortunate enough to live in one of the 14 non-death penalty states. Now what? How do you work against the death penalty in your state and beyond? Why is your work important, too?

Utilizing Databases

You’ve signed up hundreds of new members, but what’s the best way to keep track of them and mobilize them to action? This quickshop looks at database options and provides helpful advice regardless of your software.

Effective Tabling and Outreach

You are taking advantage of opportunities to reach the public or targeted audiences at various events. How do you draw more people to your table? How do you get more of them to sign up? Are you ready to state your case? This quickshop provides the answers.

Lobbying Rules and Reporting

Did you know that asking people to write their legislator is a form of lobbying that you should keep track of and may be required to report? Yes, lobbying is more than visiting a legislator. This quickshop is NOT about how to lobby, but simply discusses what do you need to know to stay within the law.

Basic Overview on the Death Penalty

This capital punishment 101 session is particularly valuable for people new to the issue and those wishing to be up to date on the latest issues. This workshop presents the nuts and bolts of the death penalty, including: the state of the law and new legal developments; who is on death row; an overview of the stages of a capital trial and the appellate process; and a summary of clemency procedure.

The Bible and Contemporary U.S. Death Penalty Law

“But it’s in the Bible!” There are many references to the death penalty throughout the Scriptures, but does U.S. law live up to the strict guidelines and limitations on executions set forth in the Bible? Join us for a lively and informative examination of the U.S. death penalty through the lens of Hebrew and Christian scriptures.

Catholic Theology and the Death Penalty                                            

Everyone is welcome for this review of current Catholic teaching about capital punishment.

Saturday, January 24 – Workshop Group Four – 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.

Leveraging Our Base: Communications Strategies to Reach Women and People of Faith and of Color

Accelerate your programs by focusing membership building on communities more likely to be opposed to the death penalty. Especially for abolitionists in organizing and media roles, participants will gain a greater understanding of targeted communications and a plan with which to get started.

Using Visibility Actions to Support Your State Campaigns

Do billboards, yard signs and bumper stickers make a difference? Is it worth it to do that 300 mile march? Is there a place for nonviolent civil resistance or other direct action in a mainstream, strategic legislative campaign? Get the answers as we explore ways that visibility actions can be important parts of strategic campaigning.

Working at the Local Level to Support Your State Strategy

Whether it is an individual wanting to volunteer a few hours a week, a church or student group seeking to make a tangible contribution, or a chapter of a state organization, the most important thing is to take actions that feed into the state plan. Participants will learn about core abolitionist strategies and leave with a clear understanding of how their work locally builds capacity to pass legislation at the state level.

Organizing Communities of Faith

Nearly all the major religious bodies in the U.S. have policy positions that oppose the death penalty, but it is only one of many social issues of concern to them. Learn about programs and resources available to assist communities of faith in putting their beliefs into action, and how to build the relationships necessary to encourage communities of faith to engage in study and action as part of the secular state campaign.

Using the Arts to Make Change Happen           

Music, film, photography, and the spoken word are among the many art forms which can educate and mobilize new audiences. Hear perspectives from various artists whose work is highlighted at this conference about how they approach the challenge of using their talents and passion to effect change.