APA's Planning Communications Boot Camp

From APA:

"Introducing APA's Planning Communications Boot Camp

Do you want to be a smart, effective advocate for planning in your community? Enlist in basic training.

Planners encounter a variety of challenges that include ideological attacks on planning, constrained budgets, and inhospitable economic and political climates. APA is about to launch an intensive effort to help members build public support, counter critics, and reframe local perceptions of planning. Communications Boot Camp will empower and transform planner participants into highly effective messengers and planning advocates.

Communications Boot Camp will include free webinars, how-to guides, case studies, and other online training materials — everything you need to become a forceful champion of planning in your community. The program draws on the insights and expertise of communications specialist Robin Rather of Collective Strength, our Washington, D.C.-based partner Axiom Communications, and other experienced communications professionals who work locally.

Once a week — beginning November 4 and ending January 31 — APA will conduct a webinar or release a detailed how-to guide focused on a key communications topic.

APA will publish complete event and registration information on our website, in APA Interact, and in e-mails sent in advance of each activity. Communications Boot Camp webinars are free but registration is required.

E-mail questions about Communications Boot Camp to govtaffairs@planning.org

Communications Boot Camp Schedule

November 4, 2011
Webinar
First steps in responding to critics and reframing planning

November 11
How-to guide
Agenda 21 and planning: Myths and facts

November 18
Webinar
Successful public meetings and managing contentious situations

November 25
How-to guide
Glossary for the public

December 2
Webinar
Mastering the pivot: Message discipline and effective media response

December 9
How-to-guide
Making the economic case for planning

December 16
Webinar
Effective coalitions, outreach, and engagement

December 21
How-to guide
Working with the media

January 6, 2012
Webinar
Planning for the state legislative session

January 13
How-to guide
Working with elected officials

January 20
Webinar
Social media strategies: Using, organizing, monitoring, and responding

January 27
How-to-guide
Building relationships with partners and local leaders

January 31
How-to guide
Step-by-step guide to building communications into your planning process

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Communications Boot Camp does not offer CM credit."