Firsthand Account From an Aspen Policy Fellow
By Diana Rodriguez, Vice President, Programs and Strategy, EveryoneOn
I recently had the honor of being selected for the inaugural cohort of the Aspen Nonprofit and Public Interest Policy Training Fellowship, which took place over the summer in beautiful San Francisco, CA. The program supports U.S.-based public interest organizations that want to build their capacity to change policy. It consists of two blocks: a mandatory full-time in-person policy bootcamp and an optional final project where participating
organizations pitch a policy impact project to the Aspen team. The nonprofit with the best project receives up to $50,000 to support its work.
What's it like to be a fellow?
The fellowship began with an orientation week where we met the other fellows, learned about the program and received an introduction to the policymaking process. Our cohort consisted of a diverse and talented group of professionals from across the nonprofit tech spectrum with varying levels of experience in public policy.
The introductory week was essential to build relationships so we could support each other through the challenges and successes of the three-week program. We coordinated working sessions, outings, walks and casual dinners. It was an incredible honor to be part of this inaugural cohort, and I was excited to learn from and collaborate with such a kind and impressive group of people.
Throughout the fellowship, we participated in a variety of activities, including:
Daily classes: Our classes were designed to teach us the fundamentals of public policy, including how to identify problems, define alternatives, develop relevant outputs and communicate with stakeholders. We also learned about the different branches of the government and how they interact with each other.
Practical exercises: The action-oriented practical exercises were designed to give us hands-on experience in the policymaking process. For example, we wrote policy memos, created stakeholder maps and completed a final project tying all of our learnings together. We also worked on real-world projects with a few of Aspen’s partner organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control, Santa Clara County and Marin County offices. These invaluable experiences helped us to develop our presentation skills and learn how to communicate our ideas clearly and effectively.
Guest speaker panels: Throughout the fellowship, we had the opportunity to hear from experts in a variety of policy areas. These panels gave us a chance to learn from the people who are shaping policy in San Francisco and beyond.
Evening activities: In the evenings, when we weren’t busy reading or completing assignments, we attended meet and greet dinners that allowed us to network with current and former policymakers and advocates. These events were a great way to connect with one another, learn about different career paths, and gain wisdom and advice from people who have been in the field for a long time.
What did I learn?
While I consider everything I learned to be valuable, there are a few points that seemed to float up consistently:
The policymaking process is complex and often messy. To combat this, try your best to make it as easy as possible for folks to make the change you’re proposing.
It is unreasonable to expect policymakers to remember every bill or be experts in every field. It is your responsibility to communicate your ideas thoroughly, clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences.
Relationship building is the foundation for effective policy advocacy. Strong relationships with policymakers can help you to open doors, build support for your policy goals and achieve lasting change. Relationship building is not a quick or easy process, but it is essential for anyone who wants to make a difference in the policymaking process.
Overall, the policy fellowship was an amazing experience. I learned a great deal about the policymaking process and the challenges and opportunities facing policymakers. I also made a lot of great connections with other people who are passionate about making a difference.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I wrote a whole article about my experience without mentioning the amazing people who worked to make this all happen: the Aspen staff. I am not exaggerating when I say these folks were the friendliest, most welcoming and accommodating people we could have asked for.
In a cruel twist of fate, I ended up battling a severe chest cold during the second week of the program. The Aspen team checked in with me frequently and scrambled to make sure I could participate remotely. Thanks to them, I didn’t have to miss any part of the program. We also received helpful feedback on each of our assignments from experts on the team. Their detailed feedback was critical to deepen our learning. And the food…oh the food. It can’t be a true San Francisco experience without good food.
All in all, I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the program. It was a transformative experience, and I am now better equipped to make a difference in my community.
Thank you, Aspen team!