Council Learning Labs


Attend our structured Learning Labs to discover how to successfully advocate for your foundation and use social media to further your reach. Whether you are looking to advocate on Capitol Hill or online, you’ll leave with more confidence and new tools to further your efforts.

The Nuts and Bolts of Government Relations: How to Keep the Wheels Turning

Monday, February 13 - 2-3:30 p.m.

Meeting Room: SANDS/NEW YORKER, Second Level


This special training session will explore the essentials of public policy and advocacy engagement. It is designed for family foundation members who need the right tools to play in the political sandbox at both the federal and local levels.

Presenter(s): Shelton Roulhac, senior policy analyst, Council on Foundations; Chatrane Birbal, Director, Government Relations, Council on Foundations; Hal McCabe, Director of Field Operations, Council On Founations; Andrew Schulz, Vice President, Legal and Government Relations, Council on Foundations
Session Designer(s): Chatrane Birbal, Director, Government Relations, Council on Foundations; Andrew Schulz, Vice President, Legal and Government Relations, Council on Foundations

Tools of Engagement: Family Dynamics and Social Networking

Monday, February 13 - 2-3 p.m.

Meeting Room: POINCIANA 4, Second Level


Social networking is a critical piece of an integrated communications strategy for family foundations and an excellent platform to engage Next Gen-ers. This preconference session features the latest data and demographics from the top social networks, provides basic techniques to establish and maximize your social media presence, and offers case studies from the Council and its members. You’ll also receive detailed information on how blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter all work together, and learn about the financial and staff resources required for using them all.

Session Designer(s): Mark Carpenter, Manager, Public Relations, Council on Foundations; Ashley Mills, Director of Public Relations, Council on Foundations
Presenter(s): Sam Stern, CEO/Chief Brandtrepreneur, CAP Brand Marketing; Rosetta Thurman, Author