▸ WHAT IS CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP?

Changemaker Skills Camp (CSC) is a 3.5 day training intensive co-hosted by The Movement Cooperative and State Voices for the progressive community. Attendees will choose from field-specific training tracks in Communications; Data; Development; Digital Programs; Hackathon; Human Resources, Finance & Operations; or Organizing & Advocacy.

In addition to practitioner-led workshops and skill-building sessions, participants will have opportunities to network and build community in both informal and curated settings. Changemaker Skills Camp is designed for organizers, data practitioners, operations personnel, non-profit staff, volunteers, and anyone in the wider progressive community who’s ready to deepen their knowledge, gain practical skills, and connect with peers across the movement.

▸ WHO IS LEADING THE CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP TRAININGS?

TMC and State Voices staff have partnered to co-create meaningful content across all seven tracks.

▸ WHO IS LEADING THE CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP TRAININGS?

TMC and State Voices staff have partnered to co-create meaningful content across all seven tracks.

▸ WHEN AND WHERE IS CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP?

Date: October 14–17, 2025
Venue: Baird Center (400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203)

Programming will begin at 2:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, October 14. Skills sessions will wrap up around 3:00 p.m. CT on Friday, October 17.

All attendees will have access to an open workplace space at the conference starting at 9:00 a.m. CT on Tuesday, October 14.

▸ HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP?

We want Changemaker Skills Camp to be financially accessible to as many organizers as possible. Our ticket prices reflect that dedication—similar multi-day events typically begin at $300–450. If your employer offers professional development funding, we encourage you to consider using it to attend this skills training. We can offer some tips on making your case to your management if needed.

▸ WHAT IF I NEED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ATTEND?

If the cost of attendance represents a significant burden and would otherwise keep you from attending, email us at events@movementcooperative.org. We’ll do our best to help you join in.

▸ CAN I SPONSOR SOMEONE ELSE’S ATTENDANCE?

Yes! If you’re interested in sponsoring tickets or travel accommodations to help make it possible for others in the movement to attend, please email events@movementcooperative.org.

▸ WHAT ARE HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS?

For Changemaker Skills Camp 2025, we’ve secured a limited room block at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. Please book your rooms using this link.

The hotel is located directly across the street from the Baird Center at 509 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203. It’s also accessible via the conference center skywalk on the second floor.

▸ WHEN WILL THE CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP AGENDA BE POSTED?

Please refer to the camp agenda here. The agenda is subject to change as programming is finalized.

▸ WHAT WILL THE AGENDA LOOK LIKE?

We’ve broken our agenda into seven separate tracks that allow attendees to find the one that fits them best. Each track will have a specific agenda, crafted by its curriculum team.

• Communications

• Data

• Development

• Digital Programs

• Hackathon

• HR, Finance & Operations

• Organizing & Advocacy

▸ WHAT’S A SAMPLE DAY AT CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP?

Session 1 | 9:00–10:30 am CT

Break | 10:30–10:45 am CT

Session 2 | 10:45 am–12:15 pm CT

Lunch | 12:15–1:30 pm CT

Session 3 | 1:30–3:00 pm CT

Break | 3:00–3:15 pm CT

Session 4 | 3:15–4:45 pm CT

Break | 4:45–5:00 pm CT

Closing Session for the Day | 5:00–6:00 pm CT

▸ WILL CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP FEATURE A KEYNOTE SPEAKER?

Yes! We hope to source a keynote speaker from the progressive community who can speak about how our movement can build bridges using data, technology, and shared collective wisdom to accomplish more. If you’re a speaker with an abundance mindset, a technology or organizing background, and a vision you’d like to share with our attendees, please email us at events@movementcooperative.orgwith your information and ideas!

▸ WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL BE PART OF THE CONFERENCE?

We’re planning a conference that will include the following:

• Networking opportunities

• Unconference space

• After-session events

If you would like to host an event during Changemaker Skills Camp, please reach out to events@movementcooperative.org.

▸ HOW ARE THE TRAINING TRACKS ORGANIZED?

Each track will offer a focused training curriculum designed to ensure attendees leave with tangible skills they can apply to their day-to-day work. Depending on your training track, you will dive into topics ranging from SQL and data visualization to streamlining accounting workflows or creating human-centered organizations.

Unlike other conferences, attendees will select a training track when registering and remain on that track throughout the event. This cohort-based (or, if you prefer the camp metaphor, cabin-style!) structure helps foster deeper collaboration and connection among peers—creating a space for meaningful skill-building alongside others working in similar roles across the movement.

▸ WHAT ARE THE TRACKS FOR CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP 2025?

The Data (all levels) track will cover distributed organizing, data visualization–including no-code viz and advanced methods in Hex–SQL, legislative tools and data, Python, DBT, universe creation and targeting, running code in Docker, and more. This track will offer content for a range of skill levels—from those just beginning their data journey to seasoned practitioners seeking more advanced challenges. The Data track will feature both a classroom space and a hands-on lab space, where attendees can practice real-time data analysis using live datasets.

The Digital Programs track is designed for practitioners who manage digital programs and want to deepen their skills across campaign strategy, content creation, and platform use. Together, we’ll explore tools like Action Network, Canva, and social media platforms; strategies for collaboration and workflow management; and approaches for analyzing and reporting on impact. You should come to this track if you’re seeking practical tools, thoughtful discussion, and a deeper understanding of how to strengthen your digital work and grow your career in this dynamic field.

In the Communications track, participants will join a learning community of storytellers and communications professionals, gaining lessons from creatives, writers, and content creators across the country who are on the cutting edge of engagement and media. You’ll receive close coaching from a team of trainers dedicated to your growth as a storyteller, advocate, and amplifier. You’ll explore how to integrate creative and cultural organizing into your narrative strategy; navigate the increasingly complex media landscape, from corporate media to folk journalism to pay-to-play spaces; and analyze and track the impact of your narrative interventions. You should join this track if you want to sharpen your narrative strategy to reach the right people, in the right place, at the right time, with the right message—to motivate them to do the right thing.

The Hackathon track will be a collaborative experience for all participants. Seasoned technology staff may use most of the track time (60% or more) for focused teamwork in the CSC tech lab, solving relevant industry-specific problems. New and experienced technologists alike will have opportunities to explore the basics of application engineering, connect with fellow professionals, and learn from industry experts.

The top objectives of this track are to:

• Deliver industry-relevant technical solutions.

• Build professional networks, technical portfolios, and collaborative skills.

• Develop and present compelling technical narratives.

The Human Resources (HR), Finance & Operations track will provide practical knowledge, training, and peer learning for building and sustaining these essential functions in progressive organizations. Sessions will focus on how to build:

• Values-based HR teams that excel in recruiting and retaining high-caliber talent and fostering a positive, productive work environment

• Financial management systems that support strong budgeting, streamlined processes, and clear reporting for both internal and external stakeholders

• Agile operations functions that ensure well-run organizations by optimizing systems and improve day-to-day processes

Each session will combine informative presentations, engaging discussions, and practical peer exercises. Come ready to share your best practices, learn from success stories, analyze real-world examples, and utilize the provided toolkits. Our goal is to equip you with enhanced skills and a deeper understanding that will directly impact your ability to drive success within your respective organizations.

The Development track will center the reality we face of keeping our nonprofits going—successfully and safely. To support this, we’ll explore:

• Fundraising in crises and creating resilient strategy: From rapid response to long-term challenges, we’ll co-craft strategies for resilience and stability while exploring alternative forms of revenue.

• Collaborative asks and shared infrastructure: Together, we’ll explore and map collaborative ask-making across organizations, and discuss what shared infrastructure could look like between our efforts.

• Data for empowerment: From the internal fundraising data in our CRMs and databases to the stories we collect and share, we’ll dig into how data and metrics can empower our work—especially those that go beyond counting dollars raised.

The Organizing & Advocacy track is geared toward organizers wanting to learn the nuts and bolts of running effective campaigns at the local, state, and national levels. We’ll introduce participants to advocacy tools for change and help build action plans with them to carry forward into their own work.

▸ WHAT IS TMC’S APPROACH TO HEALTH AND SAFETY AT CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP 2025?

TMC strongly encourages all attendees to test for all common infectious diseases, such as COVID and influenza (flu) Type A and B, within 24 hours of arrival at Changemaker Skills Camp 2025.

▸ IS VACCINATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP?

While vaccination is not required, TMC strongly encourages attendees to be fully vaccinated and up to date on COVID and flu boosters. Staying current with vaccinations, including booster shots when eligible, provides the best protection. If you have received all recommended doses of a COVID and flu vaccine authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO), then you are considered fully vaccinated and better protected against infection.

▸ WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID, FLU, OR ANOTHER ILLNESS BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP?

Before or During Changemaker Skills Camp:

If you test positive before traveling, please do not attend in person. Reach out to events@movementcooperative.org to inform us of your absence.

If you test positive or begin to feel sick while at Changemaker Skills Camp, you should remain in your hotel room and request a COVID and flu test by emailing events@movementcooperative.org. To rejoin the event, you must submit a negative test result for COVID and flu Type A and B.

After Changemaker Skills Camp:

If you test positive for COVID, flu, or another contagious illness after returning home, please notify events@movementcooperative.org so we can anonymously inform attendees of potential exposure.

▸ ARE MASKS REQUIRED AT CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP?

While masks are not required, we strongly encourage attendees to wear them indoors, especially in crowded spaces. Masks will be available on-site for those who wish to use them.

▸ WHAT ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS WILL BE IN PLACE IN MEETING SPACES?

To enhance safety, TMC will provide:

• Hand sanitizer and N95/KN95 masks.

• Socially distanced seating options, with outdoor seating available during meals.

By implementing these measures, we aim to create an environment where attendees can engage, collaborate, and connect safely.

▸ WHAT IS TMC’S RAPID RESPONSE PLAN?

To ensure a safe and secure environment at Changemaker Skills Camp 2025, TMC has established a rapid response plan, including collecting attendee emergency contact information, non-police intervention options, and security protocols.

Security & Disruption Management

• On-site security personnel will monitor the venue.

• A Crisis/Care Team will be available for assistance and will be introduced on the first day of Changemaker Skills Camp.

• For in-person disruptions, use available de-escalation resources or alert event staff.

For any concerns during Changemaker Skills Camp, please contact events@movementcooperative.org.

▸ HOW DOES CHANGEMAKER SKILLS CAMP CENTER DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY (DEIA)?

We’re committed to fighting oppressive systems and structures at Changemaker Skills Camp. Our programming will prioritize centering racial, class, and disability justice equity. In addition, camp planners will support diverse session leaders in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, age, viewpoint, geography, neurotype, ability, and more. We’re part of a collective project to transform our society. This ethos echoes the spirit of transformation. It calls on us to hold each other up, not push each other out.

We want to be a fair and equitable community, which requires being explicit and adaptable. These principles of equity, power, inclusion, and liberation articulate our values so that partners understand our shared expectations of how our organizations align internally and function externally.

▸ WHAT WILL THE SPACE PROVIDE FOR THOSE WHO NEED ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS?

Changemaker Skills Camp is committed to providing an accessible space for all of our community. During registration, you can identify any accommodations you may need using the “Accessibility Needs/Accommodations” field on the ticketing page. This will help us work with you and/or our venue to provide a safe and comfortable environment where you can fully participate.

• Our venue, the Baird Center, has wheelchair access via ramps and elevators throughout the conference space. Priority seating can be made available in all spaces upon request. Bathrooms in the venue space are wheelchair accessible.

• Accessibility devices, such as mobility scooters, hearing aid loop systems, or assistive listening devices, can be made available upon request.

• Personal Care Aides (PCAs) may attend free of charge with advance notice and provision of documentation. Please also notify us if you will be attending with a service animal.

• In-room speakers will be available, and attendees will be provided with microphones and encouraged to use them throughout sessions. Stage lighting and audio-visual elements will be designed to avoid strobing or other effects that could trigger photosensitive epilepsy.

• All presenters will enable live closed-captioning. Presenters will be provided guidance on creating online presentations to meet specific color contrast and other accessibility standards—including avoiding the use of flashing images—and asked to explain visual content when appropriate.

• A private room for lactation, pumping, and/or chestfeeding will be available for those who require it. We cannot provide on-site childcare, but we will do our best to accommodate working parents or those who need to bring infants.

• A sensory-safe room is available on-site at the Baird Center for decompression and sensory breaks. Attendees will be notified of changes to schedules or activities in advance whenever possible. Arrangements can be made for flexible movement between spaces or alternative transition methods for early or later arrival and departure from session rooms to avoid crowded hallways. Lanyards/badges identifying the wearer as having invisible disabilities can be provided upon request.

• We’ll do our utmost to accommodate any dietary restrictions or food allergies. Please use the “Dietary Needs” field on the registration form to identify your needs.

▸ DO SESSIONS START AT THE STATED AGENDA TIME?

Yes, our session leaders have worked hard to create a curriculum flow that maximizes learning, connection, and skill-building. Please honor their time and the time of others by being in session spaces ready to begin at listed start time.

▸ IS THERE A DRESS CODE?

There is no formal dress code for Changemaker Skills Camp. Please be mindful of the local weather as you pack your bags.

The conference does not tolerate hate speech. If any participant’s attire violates this policy, they will be barred from participating in the event.

▸ CAN I USE MY PERSONAL DEVICES DURING SESSIONS?

Bringing either your personal or organizational laptop is strongly encouraged—especially for Data track attendees, where it’s a must-have.

While in sessions, we ask that you remain present, whether that means silencing notifications or turning off your phone. If you need to take a personal or work call, please step outside the session space until the call is complete.

▸ HOW CAN I HELP MAINTAIN A RESPECTFUL AND CLEAN SPACE?

We’re lucky enough to work with the Baird Center team to create an amazing experience for all attendees. Please help us value them and their work by honoring the space by throwing away trash, returning unused items, and ensuring session rooms look better than how we left them.

▸ WILL THERE BE PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING AT THE EVENT?

Yes, photography and filming will take place throughout Changemaker Skills Camp. If you do not wish to have your image used in post-event materials, please email events@movementcooperative.org or notify the registration table upon arrival.

▸ WHAT IS TMC’S DISRUPTOR POLICY?

Please note, any unwelcome, intentional conduct, on the basis of membership in a protected class, other than sex, which is so severe or pervasive, and objectively offensive, that it substantially and unreasonably:

• Substantially interferes with a person’s ability to participate in sessions or activities

• Adversely alters the condition of an individual’s participation

• Creates an objectively abusive environment

• Or materially disrupts the event

…will result in the removal from the space. Virtual participants who violate this policy will be contacted by a moderator with next steps. No refunds will be given.

▸ HOW CAN I GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS EXPERIENCE?

Our goal with this event is for attendees to come away with core skills that will put them in a position to support the progressive landscape. Please let any of the event organizers know how we can help ensure that we’re helping you to get the most out of this event.