More Info about Trainings

How to Pay, Tuition, and FAQs

You can pay your program fees in one of two ways:

1. Send a check to the Progressive Technology Project, 2801 21st Avenue S, Suite 132E, Minneapolis, MN 55407
2. Pay by credit card right now using our Google Checkout account

2009 Training Costs

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What type of organizations are these trainings designed for? Who has taken these classes in the past?
   These courses are aimed at community organizing groups. The COaTI on Databases and Technology Assessment and Planning course is particularly suited to base-building groups. The other trainings may be more adaptable for a broader range of community organizing groups.
2.  To see a list of groups that have sent people to a Community Organizing and Technology Institute (COaTI) or a TechCamp, click here.
3. What does my tuition fee cover?
   Your tuition fee covers the cost of the training location room rental and a portion of staff time for event coordination and logistics.
4. *What does the training cost?
   Costs listed in the table above are approximate and vary with location and training length.  You are responsible for travel and lodging costs.
5. How do you decide where trainings are held ?
   We select our training venue based on a combination of availability of space, ease of access from nearby airport, and availability of lodging. Additionally, we try to select locations where participants from most parts of the US can avoid unnecessary overnight stays. In most cases where you're flying, you should be able to catch an early morning flight and arrive in time for the program's start time.
6. What is “sliding scale”?  How do I apply for a discount?
   We have dropped our scholarship program and replaced it with a prorated payment model. Unless you receive a grant from us for training, we ask that you pay for the course. We do have special pricing for 501(c)3 non-profit organizations: small organizations may pay 25% of the listed price; organizations with 4-7 people on staff are asked to pay 50%, and those with 8-11 on staff are asked to pay 75% of the list price. All other organizations pay the full tuition cost.
   These discounts do not apply to the ONLINE training courses. If you would like a sliding scale discount, please email us to confirm your payment level and follow up with a check or contact us for paying by credit card.
7. Are these the only times you’re offering training this year?
   We may open additional sessions of specific trainings if there is enough demand.  If you’re interested in seeing a session offered again, let us know.
8. Where in Minnesota are the trainings?
   The venue is different for each training that takes place in the Twin Cities.  Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive detailed information on where the trainings are along with other logistical information.
9. Do I have to be a community organizer to attend?
   You don’t need to be an organizer, but you do need come from an organization that does community organizing work and meets our general criteria.
10. I have more questions, who do I contact?
    We’d love to answer your questions. Contact PTP at lmillsprogressivetech [dot] org or (612) 724-2600.
11. How much should I budget for this training?
    In addition to your flight and tuition, you may have two options for lodging: 1) Doing a local home-stay or 2) staying at a hotel.  If you choose the home-stay option, you'll stay in the house of a local organizer or movement supporter. You won't incur any cost with this option, but spaces are limited. If you're interested in this option, let us know ASAP.  If you'd prefer to stay in a hotel, plan to spend around $80 per night (or more depending on the hotel) for your lodging.
    Plan on $30-40/day on meals, and around 5 dollars for your bus/light-rail round trip. Detailed information about both home-stay and hotel options will be sent when your registration is complete and you've been accepted into a training program.
12. Do you know of any places I could submit a request for training funds?
    Your current funders are definitely your best bet.  Many foundations have funds available for technical assistance and capacity building for their existing grantees.  If you don’t want to go that route, the folks at the Grassroots Fundraising Journal have put together a great resource called 8 ways to raise $2,500 (or more) in 10 days (or less, sometimes).
13. What do I need to join your web conferences?
    To join our web conferences, or “webinars”, you'll need to be at a computer with internet access (high speed is better) and a phone line. PTP uses Readytalk for our webinars and you can use their "configuration test" page to make sure that your computer has everything you need to join the conference.