Citizens' Climate Lobby

Learn the core mindset and tools of Motivational Interviewing from long time CCL leader John Sabin, including how to use OARS and listen for change talk so others discover their own reasons to support climate solutions. This training is being held before CCL's annual lobby day by request to help support all our volunteer leaders preparing for their meetings with Congress become more fluent with Motivational Interviewing approaches.

Skip ahead to the following section(s):

• (0:00) Intro & Agenda
• (3:36) Overview of MI
• (5:58) Reflective Listening Skills
• (15:09) Speaking Skills
• (19:55) Spirit of MI

Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE-7-Slides  
Log your training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000EAifYAG  
CCL Community Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/BRIDGE/Unit-3/Training-1  

Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Director Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will review the updates and context for CCL's Summer 2026 Primary and Secondary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their in-person meetings. This is a recommended training for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of their group's Summer 2026 Lobby Meeting (as well as the July 21 Lobby Training #2 - CCL's Lobby Plans and Q&A).

Skip ahead to the following section(s):

• (0:00) Intro & Agenda
• (1:53) What’s happening in Congress?
• (6:58) Permitting Reform – Big & Urgent
• (13:35) Status of Permitting Negotiations
• (15:02) Permitting Reform Asks
• (26:11) Fix Our Forests Act
• (30:46) Forest Service Appropriations
• Q&A Discussion (https://vimeo.com/1210693212/1391680684 )

Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/summer-2026-training 
Log Your Training:  https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000Arr3YAC   
Permitting Reform Toolkit:  https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/permitting-reform-toolkit  

Permitting reform has emerged as the biggest and most important clean energy and climate policy area in the current session of Congress. But what are 'permitting' and 'permitting reform,' why does CCL consider it such an important climate solution, and what is the data underpinning that conclusion? Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn the answers to these questions and why CCL is leaning into permitting reform as the key climate policy solution of 2026.

 

Skip ahead to the following section(s):

(0:00) Intro & Agenda

(2:02) Why It's Important For Climate

(5:43) Permitting Reform Basics

(20:48) The Slow Permitting Problem

(37:06) What about Climate Pollution?

 

Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/permitting-reform-basics 

Log your training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5y8X000000lMgKQAU 

Training Topic: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/clean-energy-permitting-reform 

Passing federal climate legislation is extraordinarily difficult and understanding that reality helps us better appreciate the impact of effective advocacy. This training explores the complex ecosystem surrounding Congress: the legislative process, committee politics, bipartisan dynamics, competing lobbying interests, funding realities, and the many pathways organizations use to pursue climate solutions.

Join CCL Policy Fellow and long-time leader Dr. Danny Richter for a behind-the-scenes look at how legislation actually moves (or doesn’t move) through Congress, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the persistence, relationship-building, and strategic timing required to create meaningful change. We’ll also examine where Citizens’ Climate Lobby fits within the broader climate movement and why CCL’s bipartisan, Congress-focused approach often succeeds despite operating with far fewer resources than many national organizations.

Skip ahead to the following section(s):
(0:00) Intro & Agenda
(3:29) By The Numbers
(12:00) Time and Process
(26:45) Other Lobbyists
(34:00) The Ecosystem
(44:16) Closing

Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/foundations-of-celebration 
Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000Hnh3YAC 

Practice assessing where your Member of Congress stands on one of policies CCL supports and choose a realistic next-step ask that strengthens trust and steadily builds political will over time.

Skip ahead to the following section(s):

• (0:00) Intro & Agenda
• (3:53) Support Scale Background
• (7:28) Purpose of the Support Scale
• (14:16) Connection to BRIDGE Trainings 4 and 5  
• (16:49) Understanding Each Support Scale Level
• (31:12) Stories and Examples of the Scale in Action
• (42:51) Looking Ahead and Final Thoughts

Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE-6-Slides   
BRIDGE # 6 Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/BRIDGE/Unit-2/Training-3
Log Your Attendance: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000EAdpYAG  

Are you curious about what to expect about CCL's Summer 2026 Conference and Lobby Days or have a question about any final details? Join Alison Kubicsko, National Events Director and Mindy Ahler CCL Congressional Liaison Director for a final walk-through of the who, what, and where for CCL's Conference and Lobby Days to help you prepare for what to expect with the schedule, logistics, and details.

Skip ahead to the following section(s):
(0:00) Intro & Agenda
(2:46) Conference Details 
(14:58) Lobby Day Logistics

Presentation Slides: http://cclusa.org/lobby-conference-qa 
Log your attendance: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5y8X0000005xWbQAI  
Lobby Day Tool Kit:
https://community.citizensclimate.org/lobby-meeting-toolkit 
Preparing for the 2026 Lobby Day and Conference: 
https://cclusa.org/preparing-for-lobby-day   

 

Tyson Bertone-Riggs has a diverse background in forest policy and conservation work with both field experience and policy expertise. Along with Annie Schmidt, he served as the staff co-lead for the congressionally chartered Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. Tyson’s past experience includes five years with the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition as Executive Director and Policy Manager where he was responsible for coalition development, management, and political strategy. Tyson also brings experience working for state and federal forestry agencies, as well as having worked on state and local elections and in the U.S. Senate.

Skip ahead to the following section(s):
(0:00) Intro and Highlights
(7:44) Dana's Interview with Tyson Bertone-Riggs
(41:00) June Action Sheet
(44:47) Take Action
(47:15) BRIDGE Exercise

Register for Summer Conference: https://cclusa.org/summer 
June Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet 
Pre-Call Video: https://vimeo.com/1200872923 
Alliance for Wildfire Resilience: https://alliancewr.org/ 

Join CCL's Sr. Director of Field Operations Elli Sparks for a training that specifically addresses how to prepare yourself for a successful meeting with a member of Congress. You will learn about CCL's methodology, research tips, available tools, lobby meeting roles and parts, the value of practice, and the power of listening.

Skip ahead to the following section(s):
(0:00) Intro & Agenda
(1:29) Purpose of Citizen Lobbyist
(5:55) Building Relationships
(18:52) Lobby Team Roles
(24:52) Meeting Outline

Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/prepare-to-lobby  
Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/events/item/24/21052 
Log Your Training: 
https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5y8X0000005xWOQAY  

This training is an expansion of BRIDGE Training 5: The Advocacy Detective and examines how Generative AI can be used to move beyond surface-level searches to better understand your Member of Congress, district dynamics, committee priorities, and trusted messengers. It covers practical prompting techniques, how to spot and reduce hallucinations, and the importance of verifying outputs. It also briefly discusses how CCL approaches AI through the lens of clean, reliable energy. The throughline is that Generative AI is an additional tool option to support advocacy, but it is not a replacement for the relationships at the heart of CCL's work.

Skip ahead to the following section(s):
(0:00) Intro & Agenda
(4:21) AI Background
(10:50) Where AI Shines & Doesn't
(19:44) Your Voice & Authenticity
(27:17) Prompting Basics
(32:14) Wrapping Up

Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/ai-slides  
CCL Training Event: https://community.citizensclimate.org/events/item/24/21050  
Log Your Attendance: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000H5svYAC  
Prompt Script: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VWoWUcnC1DA-Tbw5qe8StqKNrI_5i8JsVsX8HL8dXmY/edit?usp=sharing 

This final session in our permitting reform training series brings everything together with a focus on effective communication. We’ll recap key concepts across the major topics and highlight tailored messages that resonate with different audiences—including Republican and Democratic offices. Participants will learn how to confidently apply these messages to advance durable permitting solutions. 

Skip ahead to the following section(s):
(0:00) Intro & Agenda
(1:34) Effective Permitting Conversations
(4:10) Permitting Reform for Republicans
(16:44) Permitting Reform for Democrats
(30:13) Key Takeaways

Training Slides: https://cclusa.org/permitting-messages-slides  
Permitting Reform Trainings:  https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/clean-energy-permitting-reform  
Log your training:  https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000GzqjYAC