Government Affairs 101: Building Your Seat at the Table
Thursday, February 11, 2027 (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM) (PST)
Description
Fees, permitting timelines, zoning and building codes are set by people you can meet, and through processes you can join. Too often, builders and developers learn about a policy change after it is already law.
This half-day workshop gives homebuilders, developers, remodelers and trade partners a practical introduction to local government. You will learn how land-use and housing decisions are made, who makes them, and when your input carries the most weight.
Hear directly from elected officials about how they weigh public input and what makes a builder's testimony persuasive. Then put it into practice with a hands-on exercise drafting testimony on a sample policy.
No prior experience needed. Leave with a clear map of your local decision makers, a testimony template and a plan to get involved.
Light breakfast & coffee included.
By the end of the workshop, attendees will be able to:
- Explain how city, county and state governments divide responsibility for land use, permitting and fees.
- Describe how an ordinance or code change moves from idea to adoption, and where public input matters most.
- Name the elected officials, appointed boards and staff who influence decisions affecting their projects.
- Write and deliver effective public testimony, written comments and meeting requests.
- Recognize the ground rules of advocacy: ethics, lobbying-registration thresholds and campaign-finance limits.
- Commit to one concrete next step, such as joining a committee, attending a hearing or meeting a local official.
1705 SE 9th Ave.
Battle Ground, WA 98604 United States
Classes