Planned Parenthood Action Fund Announces Largest Volunteer Training in Organization’s History

More than 3,000 volunteers from all 50 states will convene in Detroit in July to learn how to organize communities, build under-the-dome strategies in state and federal legislatures, and win at the ballot box — now and well into the future

Washington, DC --Today, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan announced that they will host the largest volunteer training in Planned Parenthood history. Named Power of Pink, this event will train more than 3,000 Planned Parenthood supporters –– from all 50 states and from all ages, races, backgrounds, and identities –– on how to organize their communities, run data-driven campaigns, and help elect reproductive health champions in 2018. Participants will leave this convening equipped with the tools needed to organize their communities, build under-the-dome strategies in state and federal legislatures, and win at the ballot box, now and well into the future.

Quote from Deirdre Schifeling, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

Power of Pink is the most important training we’ve ever had. For the last year, the Trump-Pence administration has rolled out rules and policies that have undermined our basic rights and freedoms. And for people of color, young people, and women, everything is on the line. These are the same folks who are leading an unprecedented mobilization of people to drive change. At Power of Pink, we’re setting a new agenda for the future. We’re not just fighting back –– we’re fighting forward to shift the power dynamics in this country to make the change we want to see in the world.

Quote from Lori Carpentier, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan:

Planned Parenthood volunteers have proven they are a force to be reckoned with, having helped to defeat Trumpcare three times now. Our supporters are sick and tired of attacks on their rights and freedoms, and they’re joining forces for the fights ahead. Over 11 million Planned Parenthood supporters across the country are ready for 2018 and beyond. We are excited to host thousands of grassroots supporters in Detroit as we train and prepare them to lead this movement.

Since day one, the Trump-Pence administration and politicians in Congress have undermined our rights, freedom, and access to health care. In response, we’ve seen an unprecedented mobilization of people fighting back –– with women’s rights being the single most motivating factor for people to march and take action. In this moment, millions of people see Planned Parenthood advocacy organizations as their vehicle to take action.

Planned Parenthood advocacy organizations have built new sophisticated, innovative grassroots organizing models to channel this new energy and activism into sustainable efforts to make real change in the world.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund has created a nationwide, online rapid response team called Planned Parenthood Defenders that now has over 90,000 supporters who are ready to take action at a moment’s notice. This past fall, Planned Parenthood organizations held grassroots organizing boot camps to create 600 volunteer-led organizing teams across the country. This organizing work has already been successful with hundreds of thousands of Planned Parenthood supporters making phone calls to members of Congress, showing up at politicians’ offices, marching in the streets, and making their voices heard.

Power of Pink will continue to build on this momentum. At Power of Pink, Planned Parenthood advocacy organizations will lead workshops to train volunteers on the core principles of organizing and creating integrated, sustainable volunteer structures. Participants will learn how to build and drive holistic campaigns and win in 2018 and beyond.

Participants will leave with real organizing plans to move forward in partnership with local organizations in their communities. This training is about understanding the relationship between organizing and mobilizing, doing real intersectional work, sharing best practices, and determining a path forward.

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan (PPAM) is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Michigan. PPAM works in conjunction with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund at the national level, as well as our health center/education affiliate Planned Parenthood of Michigan, supporters, and patients at the state level to ensure access to reproductive health for all Michiganders.