Join NAMI WA for an Advocacy Workshop! 

Join NAMI WA for an advocacy workshop as we get ready for the 2021 legislative session!

This advocacy workshop will take place on Saturday, 12/12/20, from 10AM-12PM to support preparations for engaging and advocating behavioral health in the upcoming Washington legislative session! This workshop will cover:

• a 2021 pre-session legislative update,
• tips for virtual testimony, 
• and a NAMI Smarts workshop on telling your story

See the schedule below:

10AM-10:45AM - A pre-session update and tips for virtual testimony with NAMI WA's contract lobbyist, Melanie Smith.

Melanie Smith is a contract lobbyist with over 15 years of experience lobbying on health and human services issues. Her work focuses behavioral health, long term care and other health and human services. 

10:45-11AM - Break

11AM-12PM - NAMI Smarts workshop with Marilyn Roberts, Alan Rodgers, and Chris Schwarz on talking to your lawmaker and telling your story.

Marilyn Roberts is a NAMI program leader and is staff with the Thurston-Mason affiliate.  She has been with NAMI as a volunteer since 2005 and is trained in multiple NAMI programs.  She was SMARTS trained in 2018 and really loves empowering the "lived experience" story in all of us!

Alan Rodgers came to NAMI Thurston-Mason in 2016, busy looking for the ladder of self awareness.  He is a trained leader for Connection Recovery Support Group, Peer to Peer and Homefront and in 2019 became a Smarts leader.  He enjoys reaching out to others in need, saying "many hands make light work".