Programs & Services

SELP helps our member groups become smarter, more powerful and better run so they can be stronger advocates for the environment. We do this through a specialized mix of programs and services designed to make our groups continually stronger and more effective.

Power Building

Powerful organizations get more done. Powerful environmental organizations provide the environmental improvements and protection we need today. SELP helps make our member groups more powerful through a multi–faceted approach of trainings and campaigns in power mapping, power assessment, grasstops networking and strategic communication. Working with our groups to assess their power and then grow it, SELP helps member organizations become more powerful advocates for the environment. For more information on our power building programs visit our power building page.

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"Every year I look forward to the annual SELP conference as an opportunity to connect with my peers across the country - to share stories of success and challenges, swap lessons learned and best management practices. At the end of our time together, I always leave feeling renewed, inspired, buoyed by the support of a network of new and old friends and stimulated by the list of new ideas I've collected to take home with me and try out in my state."
- Elise Jones, Colorado Environmental Coalition

Multi-State Campaigns

SELP’s campaigns bring states with common concerns together to accomplish their policy agendas. By working jointly, states can learn from each other, build on each other’s successes, and more strongly influence positive policy changes at the federal level. Past campaigns have focused on enforcement of environmental laws, energy efficiency, and the Great Lakes Compact. For more information on our multi-state campaigns and to see the current campaigns SELP is running visit our multi-state campaign page.

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Conference

Our annual conference serves as a platform for information exchange and networking, the bedrock of our organization. Attendees hear from national experts on topics ranging from fundraising and marketing to specific issues such as water quality and biofuels. Just as important as the sessions is the networking opportunity our conference creates. The conference gives member organizations a chance to talk about their experiences and lessons learned in both informal and formal session settings. For more information visit our conference page.

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Healthy Organization Initiative

Our Healthy Organization Initiative can help organizations ensure they are doing all they can to be strong, sustainable and effective. This organizational audit consists of a thorough document review, an onsite interview with staff and a final written report that details our assessment, suggestions and recommended resources. The assessment examines: bylaws, articles of incorporation, mission and vision, planning, personnel policies, internal communication, financial management, and board stewardship. For more information about our Healthy Organization Initiative visit our audits page.

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Mentoring

The SELP network is a rich source of experience, ideas and expertise. Our mentoring program takes full advantage of the richness of our network by providing members with one-on-one assistance tailored to the needs of their organization. Mentorships are facilitated by SELP staff to ensure participants get as much benefit out of the experience as possible. Mentorship possibilities cover a wide range of topics including fundraising, personnel management, board development, financial management and more. Assistance is provided either by other SELP members or SELP staff and is offered at free or greatly reduced cost to members. For more information about our mentoring program contact Executive Director Melissa Gavin, mgavin at selp.org.

"As a new executive director, SELP provided me with much needed basic training in a forum where I felt free to admit my own needs and those of my organization. SELP provides a wealth of ideas that I can bring to bear in my work as a state focused conservation advocate."
- Nathan Lott, Virginia Conservation Network

Executive Director Training

Becoming an Executive Director at an environmental advocacy organization can present a dizzying array of questions. From board management and financial reporting to managing and leading staff and the ins and outs of lobbying law, the learning curve can be steep. SELP helps make that transition go a little smoother. Through our Executive Director trainings and direct outreach to new Executive Directors at member groups, SELP helps nurture new leadership within the environmental movement. For more information on how we help make new Executive Directors more effective contact Executive Director Melissa Gavin, mgavin at selp.org.

Information Sharing

Information sharing is at the heart of what SELP does. Sharing best practices, effective strategies, lessons learned, research and potential threats and opportunities helps make our members smarter. And smarter organizations can create bigger wins for the environment.

SELP shares information with our members, conducts issue and policy research and analysis, tracks federal policies that impact state advocates; and builds bridges with non-traditional allies, national environmental advocates and others. We communicate this information through our trainings, member conference calls, list-serves, electronic newsletter and peer to peer network to keep member groups apprised of important ideas and events affecting them.

SELP's 2012 Salary and Benefits Survey is available through March 7,2012

This year, SELP will be conducting our annual Salary and Benefits Survey to help you find out detailed information about parental leave, sabbaticals, and health insurance in the workplace. In addition to providing insight into different office policies regarding types of leave and health benefits, this report will also help you compare your organization’s salary and benefits with others in the region and across the country doing similar work. This survey ensures that you can make salary and benefits decisions based on data from organizations that look a lot like yours: state-level environmental advocacy organizations.

"By being connected to the SELP network through the board, staff and the conference, I have grown my knowledge, skills, and capacity to tackle the challenging environmental issues facing Alabama. To achieve comprehensive improvements to environmental policies in America, you must have strong, state-focused, environmental groups. SELP helps make that happen."
- Adam Snyder, Conservation Alabama

Ready to Join?

To take advantage of all of SELP’s great programs and services, consider becoming a member. Joining SELP will link your organization into the vast resources of the network and can help your state move forward with strong, effective environmental policy. For information on how to join SELP please visit our membership page.