Powering Up Statewide Media
CCL's Statewide Media Managers Program is designed to strengthen media work across entire states, not just individual chapters.
SMMs build, mentor, and coordinate teams of volunteers who use opinion content and earned media to advance CCL’s climate policy goals across their states, with direct support from CCL Communications on monthly calls. This training covers how Statewide Media Managers are coordinating impactful and important media work specifically to move their members of Congress.
Viewing is recommended for anyone who wants to be involved in media work so they can understand how CCL staff supports them through their Statewide Media Manager.
/topics/media-relations
Goals for the Statewide Media Manager Program
- Tailored media work to further our advocacy efforts in individual states whenever needed
- A growing roster of active media volunteers statewide
- Consistent LTE and op-ed submissions aligned with CCL’s current policy priorities
- Diversity of voices
- Volunteers who feel supported, confident, and effective
- Media work that reinforces — not complicates — CCL’s legislative strategy
Core Responsibilities of SMMs
- Recruit and onboard media volunteers
- Share timely media opportunities
- Mentor writers and provide constructive feedback
- Ensure message discipline and policy alignment
- Build relationships with local media
- Track activity and celebrate impact
- Coordinate with liaisons, state coordinators, and national staff
Call Cadence & Planning
- Monthly calls will be scheduled in advance so participants can plan around them. These are split between blue and red state managers. This may change depending on CCL’s focus.
- Blue State Media Managers call: Monthly on the first Thursday at 1pm ET
- Red State Media Managers call: Monthly on the third Thursday at 1pm ET
- Annual Calendar: To help you plan ahead, SMMs will be sent a subscription link for our Statewide Media Manager calendar which will alert you to upcoming calls and prompts for pitching op-eds and working with reporters.
- Seasonal Focus: Specific trainings will be aligned with national events or campaign pushes. For example, core trainings will be repeated before lobby days or major policy pushes.
Call Agenda Structure
Media Manager calls will cover the following:
- National/Organizational Update: Quick overview of CCL media priorities, campaigns, or recent wins.
- Program Updates: Share updates on media manager resources, successes, and opportunities.
- Occasional training segment: A skill-building section or guest speaker.
- Q&A and Peer Sharing: Time for discussion, questions, and sharing state-level successes.
Communications & Follow-Up
- Email Reminder: A short reminder will be sent prior to Statewide Media Managers two days before the call (including the time, date, Zoom link).
- Follow-Up Email: Media Managers will receive a follow up email after the call. It will include:
- Link to notes
- Link to recording
- Key takeaways
- Action items (“What you could be doing”)
- Call Notes Repository: Notes and recordings will be available in a shared Google Drive folder.
Accessibility & Engagement
- Shared Calendar: The Google Calendar subscription will include all call dates.
- Interactive Elements: SMMs will be added to the Statewide Media Manager forum on CCL Community.
Statewide Media Manager - Applications & Contacts
- View our Stateside Media Manager roster here. It lists states with active SMM, those with a vacancy, and those where there’s a potential SMM in progress.
- Volunteers interested in becoming a Statewide Media Manager can fill in this application form.
Questions & Mentoring
- CCL’s Communications & Media Manager, Charlotte Ward, is available for one-on-one guidance or training as queries arise. Please email charlotte.ward@citizensclimate.org with any questions.
Skip ahead to the following section(s):
(0:00) Intro & Agenda
(4:19) Understanding the Media Landscape
(12:47) What's It Like To Take On the Role?
(19:55) Next Steps
- Charlotte Ward
Skip ahead to the following section(s):
- (0:00) Intro & Agenda
- (4:19) Understanding the Media Landscape
- (12:47) What's It Like To Take On the Role?
- (19:55) Next Steps
- Charlotte Ward
Let us know if you've completed this training! Your progress will be logged in the Action Tracker so you can reference a list of trainings that you've completed.
Join the Writers Circle Action Team.
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