Target Audience
Anyone involved in advocacy or looking to influence policy or legislation in an area of work relevant to their non-profit organisation.
Outline
Ever wondered how can our organisation secure a legislative or policy win? This workshop has been developed to share an insider-outsider perspective on how to succeed in influencing policy or legislative change for your organisation. The workshop will inform and provide a practical roadmap.
Overview of workshop
Part 1: Understanding – knowledge building
- The Oireachtas
- The legislative calendar and process
- Seanad Commencement Matters and Dáil Topical Issues
- Parliamentary Questions
- Tips on how to inform and influence TDs and Senators
Part 2: Influencing – how to effect change
- Defining your issue and policy/legislative solution
- Setting goals and objectives
- Identify the target audience and who to influence
- Stakeholder mapping and building partnerships/alliances
- Creating effective communications
Ending: Questions and Answers – draw on Jillian’s expertise for your organisations’ campaign.
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Instructor
Jillian van Turnhout
The workshop is led by Jillian van Turnhout who is a former independent Senator who, in her five years, was successful and recognised by both TV3 and the Irish Times as ‘Senator of the Year’. In addition, Jillian is a former Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance and, in this role, spent seven years successfully advocating for policy and legislative change. Before her time in the Seanad, Jillian worked and volunteered on many successful campaigns. Since her time in the Seanad, Jillian has successfully influenced legislative changes in the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly.
Jillian's governance expertise emanates from over twenty-five years serving and chairing Boards and reporting to Boards as a CEO. Jillian is a Chartered Director (IoD UK) and certified in international corporate governance through the INSEAD International Directors Programme and an Institute of Directors Certificate in Company Direction with distinctions in governance, strategy and leadership.
She is a former Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance; former Vice Chair (Director) of European Movement Ireland; former Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl Guides; and former President of the National Youth Council of Ireland.
Jillian has been awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite by the President of France and an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
Outcomes
Understand how to influence and effect change.
Carmichael’s Spring/Summer 2025 Scheduled Training Programme is kindly sponsored by BoardEffect.
BoardEffect is part of Diligent, the leader in modern governance. BoardEffect delivers an agile board management solution optimised for governance leaders of nonprofits, higher education institutions, community healthcare organisations, and credit unions with the right tools, analytics, and insights to drive more efficient, transparent, and secure governance.
Fees
| €80 | Nonprofit Organisation |
| €70 | Carmichael Resident Organisation |
| €90 | Statutory Organisation |
| €90 | Corporate Organisation |
Testimonials
Jillian provided details of her experience of communicating and influencing policy and decisions. Highlighting readily available resources, that I had no idea about.
Jillian joined together the different elements. Left with concrete things to do and try.
Broad range of information, practical examples from presenters own experience, responding to participants queries with specific suggestions.
Facilitator's in depth knowledge, were able to ask specific Q&A around election, budget and pull on their vast experience.
The expertise and insight provided by someone who knew the subject matter from multiple perspectives.