On Monday 9 July 2012 VoteWatch Europe will launch its brand new website. The existing user interface has been completely renewed to make the site much easier to navigate and help you find the information you're looking for. Since its creation in 2009, VoteWatch.eu has been the only website providing full searchable access to all European Parliament roll call voting data.The revamped website expands this service to the Council. The voting records of member states dating back to 2009 will be made available in a searchable format for the first time.To enable current and potential users to make the most of this exciting new source of EU decision-making information we are organising two exclusive half-day Master classes.The Master class will give you an in-depth understanding of current voting behaviour and trends in the European Parliament and the Council. You will learn which member states form voting coalitions and which ones are most often in a minority. You will see which national party delegations deviate from their European political group line, and on which issues. You will be able to identify potential allies and adversaries in the policy areas you're working on. In short, you will learn how to use VoteWatch.eu to add value to your work.The programme includes:A detailed explanation of the new website and its full range of functionalities, including how data is collected and how it should be interpreted;European Parliament data: how to analyse the voting records of MEPs, national delegations and political groups, overall and by policy area; coalitions patterns and trends; how to access and use non-voting data such as attendance, etc.;Council data: voting results since 2009; coalition trends; relationship between EP and Council votes on specific dossiers; votes by policy area/specialist Council/political affiliation; attendance information, etc.;A practical guide to using VoteWatch in your daily work, including through social media;Practical exercises to help you get the most out of the website;An overview of additional services offered by VoteWatch.This Master class will be given only twice before the summer, so the number of places is limited. The Master class will be held on Thursday 12 July 2012, from 09.30 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 17.00, at the VoteWatch offices in Résidence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels.The fee for taking part is 250 euros ex VAT. Journalists and NGOs benefit from a 50% discount. MEP assistants and European Parliament, Council and Commission staff can enrol for free, depending on availability. The fee includes course materials, water and coffee/tea, and Wi-Fi access. Participants should bring their own laptop/tablet to make the most out of this training.All revenue generated by this training will be used to support our core activities.To enrol, please fill the online form (Event web page). The deadline for registration is Friday 29 June 2012.