Training

DART Training Calendar

DART provides multiple regional and national trainings that focus on the mandate to “do justice” from various faith traditions. DART uses a congregation-based community organizing model and is focused on building relational people power. DART staff plan and develop regional and national trainings for the growth of local leaders and organizers. Trainings are primarily executed by local organizers as part of their continual professional development. Experienced local leaders and clergy are also engaged in leading presentations to share their firsthand experiences around building people power.

Registration Information:

Registration for these events is done through local DART affiliated organizations. If you are a member of a local affiliate, please communicate about registration through your local organizer. If your community does not have a local DART affiliated organization please reach out to AnnMarie Silveira at annmarie@thedartcenter.org.

After the drop date, those who are registered but no longer able to attend will be charged the full registration cost due to non refundable deposits made to the hotel, printing material purchases, and other event related costs. We appreciate your cooperation in communicating any drops to AnnMarie Silveira ahead of time at annmarie@thedartcenter.org

Justice Ministry Conference

The annual Justice Ministry Conference provides an orientation to justice work and relational power building. Attendees learn how to conduct a grassroots listening process through house meetings and 1-1 conversations, how to build a justice ministry network in their congregation, and how to answer the common question “what is a justice ministry?”. This training is designed for leaders and clergy who are currently engaged with a DART affiliate, but is open to guests and denominational partners.

Location: Charlotte, NC

Dates: July 22nd – July 25th, 2025

Event and hotel costs are yet to be determined. Please check with us again soon.

Power Building and Negotiation Trainings

The regional Power Building and Negotiation Training focuses on getting grassroots leaders ready for their annual direct action assemblies (called Nehemiah Actions). Attendees are trained on power building through their congregational justice ministry networks and how to negotiate with public officials for solutions to serious community problems. This training is designed for leaders and clergy who are currently engaged with a DART affiliate.

2024 Power Building and Negotiation Trainings:

Florida Location: Orlando, Florida

Dates: November 6th- November 8th, 2024

Registration Deadline: October 14th, 2024

Training Event Fee $214 | Hotel $105/night

Midwest/Midsouth Location: Charleston, West Virginia

Dates: November 21st – November 23rd, 2024

Registration Deadline: October 28, 2024

Training Event Fee $247 | Hotel $109/night

Great Plains Location: Wichita, KS

Dates: November 14th – November 15th, 2024

Registration Deadline: October 28th, 2024

Training Event Fee $105

Clergy Conference

The DART Clergy Conference is a gathering of clergy from local affiliated organizations, guests from denominational partners, and clergy from prospective member congregations. The conference prepares clergy to teach and preach on sacred texts “from the margins” and lead their congregations in developing strong justice ministries. Outside keynote speakers are invited to lead text studies and relationship building training is conducted. This training is designed for leaders and clergy who are currently engaged with a DART affiliate, but is open to guests and denominational partners.

Location: The Florida Hotel, Orlando, Florida

Dates: February 4th-6th, 2025

Text Studies With: Rev. Dr. Ray Pickett | Rector and Professor of New Testament at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

Special Guests: Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archdiocese of Miami | Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, Virginia Conference UMC

Event cost:

  • Food & Supplies: $315 (includes food, coffee, printing, AV and conference supplies)
  • Content: DART Affiliate Organizations – $0 (cost included in DART Affiliation fee) | Non DART Affiliated Individuals & Organizations – $750
  • Hotel Rooms at the Florida Hotel: $149 a night plus any applicable taxes and fees

Registration & Hotel Reservation Deadline: Friday, January 10, 2025

Event Cancellation Deadline: Friday, January 24, 2025

Investment Drive Trainings

The regional Investment Drive Training focuses on grassroots fundraising and is divided into two workshops, the Corporate Drive Workshop and the Congregation Drive Workshop. Attendees learn how to build ownership for local organizations through their annual fundraising drives. This training is designed for leaders and clergy who are currently engaged with a DART affiliate. 

2025 Investment Drive Trainings:

Florida:

Location, dates, registration deadline, event costs, and hotel costs are yet to be determined. Please check with us again soon.

Midwest/Midsouth Location: Charleston, West Virginia

Dates: April 22nd – April 24th, 2025

Registration deadline, event costs, and hotel costs are yet to be determined. Please check with us again soon.

Great Plains:

Location, dates, registration deadline, event costs, and hotel costs are yet to be determined. Please check with us again soon.

Contact your local organization to sign-up or get more info