About a year ago, as I was starting my new job as Director of Communications at Equality Federation, I realized I had a unique opportunity to achieve a personal goal: to build up the communications expertise of the state-based movement.

I had recently wrapped up several years of work at One Colorado, the state’s largest LGBT advocacy organization. Time and time again, I had wished for training in the latest messaging approaches, in the best practices for online organizing, and in the most compelling ways to educate the public.

Equality Federation’s work as the strategic partner to state-based LGBT organizations became the perfect platform for me to pursue my dream of strengthening the communications capacity of our movement.

Thus, the Communications Boot Camp for LGBT Movement Leaders was born.

With the support of the entire Equality Federation team, I searched for partners who could help make my dream of a three-day intensive training into a reality.

The Gill Foundation stepped up with critical financial support, generously offering to host the event at their offices in Denver and underwrite the costs.

Freedom to Marry, National Center for Transgender Equality, and Human Rights Campaign joined me in planning the Boot Camp, from developing the agenda to recruiting an amazing group of presenters.

It was all coming together. And with each passing day, it became more clear to me how important this kind of training was becoming, particularly because of the unique moment our movement is in.

We have more momentum than we’ve ever had before. And now national attention has shifted its focus to some of the toughest places we call home.

To continue making the kind of progress we’ve seen in recent years, we have to strengthen our communications as a movement.

We have to continue to be strategic and savvy and smart in our communications. We have to continue figuring out how to talk about our lives and our people. We have to continue using technology to reach our target audiences. We have to continue elevating stories in the media to educate the public.

This is what the Communications Boot Camp for LGBT Movement Leaders was all about -- ensuring we can effectively do this work to build on the incredible wins we’ve celebrated in recent years.

After a year of planning, the Communications Boot Camp finally happened last week. 3 days. 45 participants from 22 states representing a diverse array of organizations, including many transgender-specific groups. A dozen expert presenters and trainers.

By all accounts, it was a tremendous success:

“As a first time attendee of a Federation event, I wasn’t quite sure what would await me in the Centennial State -- but by the end of three days, I did not want the camp to end.”

“I left with so many things that I can immediately use.”

“Thank you so much for such an expertly planned event. I left with a great deal more knowledge than I arrived with.”

“The important thing is that you brought people together around more unified communications strategies, and now you can move forward toward more imparting of best practices. Bravo!”

On Day 1, participants were engaged in conversations about messaging across a variety of issues, including nondiscrimination, marriage, transgender equality, trans-inclusive healthcare, and religious refusals. Although messaging can be tough, our presenters led these critical discussions with integrity and poise.

On Day 2, we dove head-first into digital media and online organizing, bringing in experts from inside and outside the movement to train our participants. From writing strong action emails and raising money online to using social media and measuring your success -- our trainers gave participants a crash course in how to effectively use the latest digital tools to win.

On Day 3, we focused on earned media with presentations on developing plans, working with reporters to shape narratives, and pitching stories. One of the many highlights of our final day together was a spokesperson training from John Neffinger, President of Franklin Forum and author of Compelling People: The Hidden Qualities That Make Us Influential. 

After three busy and intensive days together, I hope participants left with new skills, new relationships, and new ideas for winning equality in the communities they call home. I know I did.