The mission of the Massachusetts Policy and Organizing Leadership Academy (The Academy) is to help leaders and organizations effectively and confidently participate in public life and influence the advancement of social, economic and racial justice.
Featured
Protesters Chain Wheelchairs Together & Halt Traffic in Beacon Hill to Fight MBTA Fare Hikes

Protesters Chain Wheelchairs Together & Halt Traffic in Beacon Hill to Fight MBTA Fare Hikes

From City News Transit activists in wheelchairs chained themselves together and blocked traffic in front of the State House Monday to protest part of Governor Deval Patrick’s plan to raise fares for certain MBTA services. The move was one of the more extreme protests held since the T first announced it would spike the price to use the...
Our video collection

Our video collection

If you missed any of our sessions this year, check this link to all the Academy Videos, including the Frances Fox Piven and the Mel King sessions, and the latest Parents on the March session at the Freedom House. Or you can browse and watch some of the highlighted videos here. Many people have told us...
VOTE 17 and the Lowell Sun

VOTE 17 and the Lowell Sun

You can’t beat this kind of Editorial from the Lowell Sun (in part):  An Open Letter to House Speaker Robert DeLeo:  Dear Mr. Speaker, we know you are busy putting the finishing touches on the state’s fiscal 2013 budget. We know you are working hard with your House and Senate colleagues every day to get things...
Vote 17 in Lowell -- Getting Ready for the Rally

Vote 17 in Lowell — Getting Ready for the Rally

I think there will be some dancing in Nurse’s Hall at the State House on June 28th when the Teens from United Teen Equality Center come to ask all 200 members of the Massachusetts Legislature to pass their local option bill to allow 17 year olds to vote in municipal elections in Lowell.  They’ve worked real...
What Does it Take to Promote Positive Change in Our Communities?

What Does it Take to Promote Positive Change in Our Communities?

Answer: One person or organization, willing to be a part of a greater network, fueled by a common vision for the right solution.  Individuals, organizations, communities learning from each other, drawing from a comprehensive library of public policy resources and organizing tools.  Leadership Academy Training Programs: Be part of the Academy’s legacy of community leaders!   ...
It Happened Last Night --- Value Based Messaging for the GLBT Community - Organizing for Change

It Happened Last Night — Value Based Messaging for the GLBT Community – Organizing for Change

It happened last night. But Barney had a severe case of laryngitis, and could barely speak — imagine– and so he stayed home and drank hot lemon tea. BUT the panelist moved ahead and led a series of smart and savvy discussions about the development of strategic messages and recruitment of strategic messengers to advance full...
How often have you heard lately: “Oh, I tweeted about that.” Or “I posted that on my Facebook page.”

How often have you heard lately: “Oh, I tweeted about that.” Or “I posted that on my Facebook page.”

 These five sentences from Tom Friedman’s column in the NY Times about Egypt made me sit up straight out of bed on a beautiful Sunday Morning. “No doubt Facebook helped a certain educated class of Egyptians to spread the word about the Tahrir Revolution. Ditto Twitter. But, at the end of the day, politics always comes down...
Bipartisan "Disappointment" Pilgrim Nuke Owners Lock Out Workers

Bipartisan “Disappointment” Pilgrim Nuke Owners Lock Out Workers

They weren’t at the picket line on Wed morning but at the news of the lockout,  Senate President Therese Murray and two House lawmakers on Wednesday called a decision by Entergy to lock out Pilgrim nuclear plant workers “unacceptable” and raised concerns about plant security.
Knowing How to Say Thank You

Knowing How to Say Thank You

And the Mass Home Care Association knows how to do it through their AT HOME Newsletter emailed to almost everyone in the Commonwealth it seems. We all get an E Mail asking us to download AT HOME   announcing: The following 20 people, in order of appearance, are in this June, 2012 AT HOME:   Therese Murray, Bruce...
Senior Action in Bold Action

Senior Action in Bold Action

Not much to say except admire the gumption and the bold actions from Mass Senior Action who finally — after 8 long years — got a shelter for MBTA users. Massachusetts Senior Action Council They say: Don’t Just Take It. Take Charge!
The Senate Budget Process

The Senate Budget Process

Smart and savvy advocates got their amendments filed last Friday and are now trying to coax more Senators to email the Senate Clerk that they wish to be a co sponsor of their amendments. Advocates are also urging their Democratic Senator sponsors and co sponsors to attend this important event and speak up. SENATE BUDGET...

Designed by WPSHOWER

Slider by webdesign