PTP’s core training program is the Community Organizing and Technology Institute (COaTI).  COaTI is an intensive training program to develop the technical skills of organizers.  Its focus is on finding and sharing the best ways to use technology in the grassroots community organizing environment. The long term goal of COaTI is the creation of a community of user experts from community-led organizations who share their skills and knowledge with other organizers working for social and economic justice around the country.

COaTI fills the gap between basic computer skills training and the typical training offered to non-profit organizations, which is often too broad to be useful to community organizing.  By providing case studies and a practical view of technology applications, COaTI is tailored to fit the needs of community-led organizations.

• Build capacity to substantially advance strategic use of technology in their organizing
• Achieve deeper integration of technology with campaigns

COaTI helps you:

• Increase your understanding of strategic technology use
• Increase your knowledge of specific technologies that support organizing work
• Develop an understanding of how databases can support organizing
• Increase your skill and comfort in using technology
• Increase your ability to assess technology use
• Learn techniques for effectively communicating with technical assistance providers to get what they need.
• Become a valuable part of a growing peer-to-peer network of support

Two Sessions in 2008:

Database and Planing COaTI

Communications COaTI

COaTI consists of two 3 day sessions covering topics that include:

Introduction to strategic technology use

Database analysis and practices

• What to track, and why
• Introduction to structured query language (SQL)
• Case studies

Communication technologies

• Communications life-cycle: defining the message, the audience, how to reach it, and evaluation
• Desktop Publishing
• World Wide Web
• Introduction to using graphics and graphics manipulation techniques
• E-mail
• Presentation Technologies

Infrastructure Development

• Recruiting and managing technology assistance providers
• Security
• Spreading skills within the organization
• Creating documentation and an organizational knowledge base

COaTI’s Benefits:

• Skills Development: deepening skills in a variety of technology applications.
• Exposure to Best Practices.
• Deeper understanding of importance of strategic use of technology.
• Participation in an evolving community of practice with other organizations.

COaTI has impact:

• Two thirds of organizers and administrative staff changed aspects of how they do their work.
• A majority of respondents changed how their organizations use their databases.
• Two thirds implemented new technologies as a result of their COaTI experience.
• 9 out of 10 deepened their skills with technology they were already using.
• A majority improved its skills with the database software in use in their organization.
• Everyone shared at least some of their learning with other staff at their organization.
• Most participants plan to continue to share their knowledge with their COaTI peers outside their organizations.