2024 NAGC Communications School:
Advanced Training Workshop Sessions

Morning Workshops

8:30 - 11:00 am CDT

• Social Media Bootcamp
    by Ann Beck

Social media is the fastest and cheapest way to spread the word about your city, but how do you know what to post and when? This workshop will take you step by step through creating a content calendar, starting your own social bank and crafting engaging content to take your platforms to the next level.

• Communications Planning for Government Communicators

    by Chris O'Neil

Communication planning is the least rewarded, least recognized yet most important discipline within the communications profession. No one builds a house without a blue print, jets don't fly without flight plans yet so many communication efforts are developed and implemented without a plan, often with predictably poor outcomes. Learn the essentials of communication planning. Learn how to use the RPIE planning process and how to build effective plans using the GOST framework for communication plans. Course attendees will receive sample templates for use in the class and for use when they return to work. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a novice, you'll go home with tools you can immediately apply to use communication planning to integrate, coordinate and synchronize your agency's communications.

 

Afternoon Workshops

1:00 - 3:30 pm CDT

• Leadership in Three Directions
    by Scott Thomsen

In this workshop, participants will learn tools for enhancing their leadership in three directions: with their bosses, with their teams and with their communities. The session will be interactive. Participants will walk away not only with a greater understanding of how to apply their leadership skills, but also with plans for doing so in all three directions that they can activate as soon as they return to work.

• Lessons Learned and Ethical Uses of AI Technologies for Government Communicators
    by Jerome Pionk

1.) Understand the Role of AI in Government Communication: By the end of this presentation, participants should have a clear understanding of how artificial intelligence tools are currently being used in government communication and the potential benefits they offer.

 

2.) Identify Ethical Challenges and Solutions: Participants will be able to identify common ethical challenges associated with the use of AI in government communication, such as privacy concerns and bias, and learn about potential solutions and best practices to address these issues.

 

3.) Apply Lessons from Case Studies: Through the analysis of real-world case studies, attendees will gain practical insights into the successes and failures of AI implementation in government communication. They will be able to apply these lessons to their own roles and projects, making more informed decisions about AI tool adoption. These learning objectives aim to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the ethical considerations surrounding AI in government communication and equip them with the knowledge and tools to navigate this evolving landscape responsibly and effectively.

 

Meet Your Speakers:

Ann Beck
Mansfield Parks and Recreation
Ann Beck is the Marketing & Communications Manager for Parks and Recreation in Mansfield, Texas. She has experience in both journalism and marketing, with a heavy emphasis on community engagement, content creation, branding and social media. She is a Certified Public Communicator as well as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional. She has spoken at NRPA (National Recreation and Park Association), 3CMA (City and County Communications and Marketing Association), TML (Texas Municipal League), TRAPS (Texas Recreation and Park Society) and TAMIO (Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers) on all things marketing & social.

Chris O'Neil
Savannah River National Laboratory
Chris O'Neil, APR, is a seasoned communications practitioner with nearly 35 years of experience gained through positions with Savannah River National Laboratory, the National Transportation Safety Board, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force. He was twice hand-selected to write the public affairs annexes to Department of Homeland Security Plans for maritime and land mass migration. He contributed to a rewrite of the National Response Team Joint Information Center Manual, focusing on better alignment between the ESF-15 and NRT JIC structures and functions. As the NTSB's Chief of Media Relations Chris modernized the division's standard operating procedures, developed media relations policy for the organization, and incorporated communication planning, measurement and analysis in the board's approach to communications. At Savannah River National Laboratory he is rebuilding the laboratory's communications office, building communication capabilities and capacity.

Jerome Pionk
Jerome (Jerry) Pionk,has been working with generative AI tools since 2019 and works and trains with private and public clients. Jerry has graduate certifications in AI Product Design and Services from MIT xPro, and Multimedia Communications from UC Davis. He has a BA in Journalism from Seattle University, with an MBA in International Management from Columbia Southern University. He is a retired Army Lt. Colonel and Public Affairs Officer, serving over 22 years in a variety of locations, to include multiple tours in Afghanistan, and retiring from the Pentagon and the Army Office of the Chief of Public Affairs. Formerly, Jerry was the Chief Communications Officer for King County Washington’s Department of Local Services in Seattle. He is an accredited public relations professional (APR) and currently resides in the Greater Duluth, Minnesota area.

Scott Thomsen
Ventura County Fire Department
Scott Thomsen has served on the board for nine years, including previous roles as president and communications director. He works as the director of communications and public affairs for the Ventura County (California) Fire Department, where he oversees the public information officers, community education and community engagement. Previously, he served in a variety of communications roles, including director, for Seattle City Light, a municipally owned electric utility, after a 20-year career in journalism as a reporter and editor for multiple news organizations, including The Orange County Register and The Associated Press.