Ellen is participating in a 2 day training session in Mexico City for the International Republican Institute, a non-governmental organization funded in part by USAID, focused on democracy building and governance in countries around the world.

The 2 day program seeks to help civil society leaders from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras learn to effectively advocate for their interests to elected officials at the local level. Participants will take part in work sessions which will illustrate to representatives from various non-profits how to draft an effective advocacy plan. Agenda topics covered will include: communicating with government officials, cultivating effective relationships, and developing an outreach plan.

Ellen has also done advocacy training in Albania for civil societies.

Here’s Eileen Smith’s In the Pink column on the subject

Supporters before the City Council Vote

Congratulations to San Antonio — the last large city in the state to go completely smoke free in all workplaces including bars and restaurants. By a vote of 7-4 yesterday, the City Council, with the support of many dedicated volunteers voted to go smoke free as of August 19, 2011.

Here’s the article from today’s San Antonio Express News

This victory will help build momentum for the statewide effort that has been ongoing for the last several years and will continue in the upcoming legislative session starting in January, 2011.