Workshop on Communication and Strategic Outreach
Monday, July 28, 2014 [10:00AM - 5:00PM]
Workshop Fee: $50 – Attendance limited to 25 people.
Introduction and Overview
Biodiversity Project, a nonprofit environmental communications organization in Chicago, will offer a communications workshop to CEER 2014 attendees. Designed to increase limited staff capacity and make public education and outreach efforts more effective, the full-day workshop will walk participants through the process of creating a communications strategy. The process includes forming measurable objectives, understanding an audience, uncovering barriers and writing messages.
Organizations and coalitions frequently must engage the public to meet restoration goals, yet communications budgets are often small or nonexistent. By following some basic communications strategies and using some standard tools, restorations groups can implement creative and, most important, effective communications campaigns, even with limited budgets.
Workshop Outcome and Benefits of Participating
The interactive workshop provides a learning experience tailored to program, restoration and communications staff members who work in the environmental and conservation field. The workshop will provide replicable tips from communications professionals, as well as case studies of recent work. Collectively, this session not only gives people tools they can use, but shows real-world examples of how strategic communications efforts can elevate their work, while staying in budget.
Who Should Attend
People from nonprofit organizations, government agencies, municipalities and consulting firms are invited to attend and communications experience is not necessary. The workshop is designed to help people overcome the most common communications pitfalls by providing a step by step guide for creating communications campaigns and materials from the scratch.
Participants will complete a workbook as we walk through eight interactive steps.
General Timeline:
10am |
Introductions and Overview
Communications Strategy, Impact
and Objectives and Activity
Audience Analysis and Activity |
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12:30pm |
Lunch on Own |
1:30pm |
Barriers and Activity
Message |
BREAK (20 Mins) |
3:00pm |
Message Activity
Pathways, Messengers and Activities
Final tips
Evaluation |
Organizers and Instructor Names and Qualifications:
Jennifer Browning, Executive Director, Bluestem Communications
Jennifer has 15 years of experience in the field of environmental education and communications, as well as a dedication and passion for protecting the environment.
Rebeca Bell, Communications Director, Bluestem Communications
With a background in grassroots organizing and a Master's degree in rhetoric and writing, Rebeca develops persuasive communications strategies and delivers compelling communication workshops.
Organizer Contact Info:
Bluestem Communications (formerly Biodiversity Project) 14 N. Peoria St., Suite 4F Chicago, IL 60607;
PH: Phone: 312.754.0403
EMAIL: jbrowning@bluestemcommunications.org; www.bluestemcommunications.org
Workshop is limited to 25 people.
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