California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO)

Save the date or register now for CAPIO's next Power Lunch Webinar: "Essential Ethics Competencies in Public Relations: Common Deficiencies and Helpful Resources" on Tuesday, October 22 at 11 a.m. Recent reports from the Commission on Public Relations Education highlighted a gap: Young PR professionals are not meeting ethical expectations. This revelation led to a new study to pinpoint the essential ethics skills needed today and where we’re falling short in the profession. The insights are based on a national survey with more than 300 public relations professionals, followed by a second national survey with both public relations professionals and educators. Their personal perceptions of preparedness to serve as ethics advisers in their organization were assessed. They were also asked to identify the most common ethical issues facing them today. Some of the results may surprise you! By the end of this webinar, attendees will: ✅Discover the essential ethical skills in public relations today. ✅Assess your own mastery of these core ethics skills. ✅Learn about resources available to enhance you ethics skills. Thank you to Marlene Neill, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, Associate Professor & Graduate Program Director at Baylor University Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media for presenting this valuable webinar. More info and register at https://lnkd.in/gjTrQMmv

Next week! Join us for a Power Lunch Webinar on Thursday, October 10 at 11 a.m. “Let’s Face It Together” — A case study on branding and marketing solutions to address mental health With daily headlines and warnings of a national youth mental health crisis, how can community leaders begin to address this daunting issue? The award-winning “Let’s Face It. Together.” campaign uses a bold messaging approach to cut through noise, remove assumptions and speak directly to students and parents with the importance the topic demands. Key Takeaways: ✅ Strategies to brand and message a mental health campaign ☑ Strategies for A/B testing a brand before execution to ensure campaign success ✅ Framework and components of activating a mental health marketing and communications campaign to reach a diverse population ☑ Strategies and tactics of a mental health awareness campaign to include all local stakeholders Thank you to our speakers Michelle Bender, City Manager of City of San Marcos, Amy Ventetuolo, Public Information Officer for San Marcos Unified School District, Baylee Akins, Senior Marketing and Communications Manager for JPW Communications and Jenny Windle, MPA, President and Co-Founder of JPW Communications. Learn more and register at https://lnkd.in/dVktzsav

It’s #InternationalPodcastDay 🎙️ Did you know that CAPIO has a podcast? Launched in 2021, CAPIO Chirp features discussions with industry leaders, game changers, and those advancing public communications. Don’t miss our newest episode, “Navigating First Amendment Audits: Strategies for Handling Audits and Staff Training Tips.” Paul Hosley, Communications and Media Officer for the City of West Sacramento, and Lael Wageneck, MPA, APR, Public Information Officer for the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department and CAPIO Immediate Past President, explore the growing trend of First Amendment audits and their impact on local government agencies. Ashley Metzger, consultant with Regional Government Services, shares her personal insight of audits and offers practical tips on preparation as a former water agency communicator. Next up is attorney Deborah Fox, one of California’s foremost experts on First Amendment issues, who provides legal insight, discussing the history and legal framework of these audits. Whether you work for a city, county, or special district, this episode equips you with the basics of how to handle First Amendment audits with confidence and the knowledge of where to look for additional training resources. Learn more about the hosts and find new and past episodes now at capio.org/TheChirp

Time is running out to sign up for the CAPIO Leadership Summit! Join us in Walnut Creek on October 4 and 5th for an insightful and engaging two days geared toward public sector communicators looking to further their leadership skills. Take it from Jalel Braden, Communications Specialist at San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association: "Attending the inaugural CAPIO Leadership Summit last year was an incredibly enriching experience that exceeded all my expectations. The summit brought together a diverse group of communications professionals, each sharing unique insights and strategies that I found both inspiring and actionable." "The collaborative atmosphere fostered deep discussions and meaningful connections that has undoubtedly influenced my work. I left the summit not only with a wealth of knowledge but also a strengthened network of professionals committed to excellence in public communications. The CAPIO Leadership Summit was more than an event— it was a catalyst for personal and professional growth. If you’re contemplating attending this year’s summit, the answer is a definite yes! You don’t want to miss it." Read more and sign up today! https://lnkd.in/ggmMSjRm

Today we’d like to give a huge shoutout to Amy Orr, our Association Manager, for celebrating a decade of service to the California Association of Public Information Officials and our profession 👏👏👏 With the help of of forward thinking board members, Amy has grown CAPIO into one of the most successful and respected associations for government communicators in the country. In the fall of 2014, Amy Orr was hired as CAPIO’s Association Manager after previously working with CAPIO as conference coordinator for five years. Prior to working with CAPIO, Amy worked for several associations including the California Grocers Association and the California Chamber of Commerce supporting membership events, board meetings and legislative summits. After moving to Chico in 2006, she started her consulting firm, ORRganized Events, specializing in association and corporate events and management. She says of her time with CAPIO, “It has been such a privilege to have CAPIO as a client for more than a decade. To see the growth of CAPIO from 300 members in 2014 to more than 1000 members now in 2024 has been incredible. The Board members and committee members I’ve been able to work with and get to know through this time have become family. I’m happy to have team-members Carissa Christie and Samantha Hardy alongside me as well to support the continued growth in membership offerings, events and services. We look forward to continuing the momentum in 2025 and beyond!” You’re the best, Amy!

Register now for MASTERING BUDGET AND RATE COMMUNICATIONS: Proven Strategies Success with experts across our government communicators field. Join your CAPIO colleagues on Tuesday, September 24 at 1PM. As public-sector communicators, we are tasked with relaying complex budget and rate information to our communities in a clear, transparent, timely, and engaging manner. During this moderated webinar, seasoned public-sector pros will share practical, real-world insights, best practices, and replicable strategies to enhance your agency’s communication efforts, resulting in better engagement and increased trust with your community. Learn more about the session and register at https://lnkd.in/gjvgdpmm Featuring: ⭐ Zack Beck, City Clerk at City of Escondido ⭐ Adam Probolsky, President of Probolsky Research ⭐ Sherri Seitz, Public Affairs Manager at EL TORO WATER DISTRICT ⭐ Jennifer Garnett, APR, Communications Officer at City of Sunnyvale ⭐ Megan Scheid, APR, Deputy City Manager at City of Roseville

CAPIO Power Lunch Webinar coming up! MEDIA TRAINING YOUR LEADERS on Thursday, September 19 at 11 a.m. will prepare your leaders for media interaction, and help you understand the media landscape better to ensure success along with messaging to take advantage of the opportunity. Michelle Smith McDonald, APR, Senior Director for Media Relations for University Marketing and Communications at San Jose State University will lead this informative webinar. There comes a time when your leaders must speak to the press. For some of you, this may already be how your organizations operates. For others, you are the spokesperson, by choice or by mandate. But getting your leaders ready is always your job. Learn more and register at https://lnkd.in/gnGQBeV6

We got some real PIO heavy hitters coming your way for our next Mentorship Monday! Join us for Stand Out and Shine: Mastering Personal Branding for PR and Comms Pros, a FREE CAPIO webinar for members! On Monday, September 9, four seasoned public-sector communication pros will share their invaluable insights and experiences in cultivating powerful and authentic personal brands. Learn the essentials of personal branding, its significant impact on your career, and actionable steps to elevate your professional presence. This is your opportunity to stand out in the industry and shine! Key Takeaways: 🌟Why personal branding is important to your career 🌟How to identify your unique value proposition that makes you stand out 🌟Practical steps to build and maintain a strong personal brand 🌟Strategies to enhance your digital presence 🌟Importance of networking and collaboration in personal branding Featuring CAPIO Communicator of the Year Award Winners Kevin Strauss and Wendy Aguilar, along with Mary-Joy Coburn of Orange County Employees Retirement System and Dominique Samario, MPA of the Riverside County Office of Education. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/g2cNGgzt

Register now! 2024 CAPIO Leadership Summit – For emerging leaders and seasoned pros 📍 Embassy Suites by Hilton Walnut Creek // October 3 & 4 Join CAPIO for an insightful and engaging two days geared toward public sector communicators looking to further their leadership skills. This summit is designed for both emerging leaders and seasoned professionals who desire to learn more about how to gain or keep a seat at the C-suite table, manage others and think strategically within their agency. This year’s Leadership Summit will be held in picturesque Walnut Creek, California known for a great downtown, delicious restaurants and proximity to great hiking at Mount Diablo. More info and register at https://lnkd.in/gAVfTxpX

#SavetheDate or REGISTER NOW for CAPIO ADVANCED TRACK: Building a Dream Team – Unlocking Agency Support for Team Expansion on Wednesday, September 18 at 11 a.m. The webinar will be hosted by Amy McKenzie, Communications Division Director for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, who has 18+ years of public service leadership overseeing a team of communication professionals responsible for both internal and external communications for the DA’s Office In an era where digital elements shape the narrative, having a dynamic team is crucial for meeting the demands of today’s ever-evolving communication landscape. This session will go beyond the basics. Learn the art of creating internal support, amplifying the value of your work, and most importantly, how to pitch the idea of creating a communications team within your organization to stay ahead of the curve. Learn how to communicate effectively with the C-Suite, ensuring they understand the value and necessity of expanding your team. You will also leave the training armed with a toolkit to build not just a team but a communication powerhouse within your organization. Learning Outcomes/Takeaways: ✅ The Crucial Role of a Professional Team in Today’s Communication Landscape ✅ Practical Strategies for Creating a Team ✅ Crafting Compelling Pitches to Secure Executive Support and Budget Allocation ✅ Leave with a Toolkit for Building a Communication Powerhouse Learn more about the advanced track session and register at https://lnkd.in/g37UFMaN