Jump-start your conference experience by attending these interactive and practical workshops. These information-packed sessions are a great opportunity to network with fellow attendees while taking a hands-on, common sense approach to mastering citizen and stakeholder engagement initiatives that will enhance your understanding of the informative, case study presentations throughout the entire conference.

*** Choose A or B or BOTH for Maximum Value and Learning ***

More Than Checking A Box: How To Use A 4-Step Process To Engage Your Citizens And Stakeholders Sincerely And Substantively

Just because you're on Twitter and Facebook doesn't mean you're engaging. True engagement is so much more than squeezing your press release into 140 characters, friending fellow agencies, or only linking to “approved” content.

True engagement means being part of the community—answering questions, responding to criticism, sharing content that’s not self-promotional, and generally revealing a personality behind the profile.

• You will outline the capabilities and objectives of your organization
• We’ll review the Gov 2.0 social media toolbox. For example, should you be pitching bloggers or blogging yourself? Should you be tweeting or Facebooking—or perhaps Google Plusing? Maybe you should employ an old-fashioned e-newsletter? Perhaps it's time for an IdeaScale?
• We’ll brainstorm strategies for infusing your organizational objectives with Gov 2.0 greatness
• We’ll vote on the best project and develop a plan to put it in action when you return to the office

WORKSHOP LEADER: Jonathan Rick is a Senior Strategist at Rock Creek Strategic Marketing in Chevy Chase, Md. Blending expertise in online communications with a background in public affairs, he helps clients leverage the Web in all its splendor—whether via a website, social network, blog, ad, or app. He's employed e-strategies to raise awareness for the federal government, motivate actions for nonprofits, and shape public opinion for corporations. @jrick

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon break/lunch on your own

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
PRE-CONFERENCE AFTERNOON WORKSHOP B

Discuss, Plan, Act, Evaluate: How To Take Information Received From Citizens And Create A Framework For Action

In today’s government, it isn’t enough to just communicate with citizens. Today you must listen, respond, and take their comments and put them to use and show that you are doing so. This jam packed session will provide you with a framework for action teaching you how to successfully turn your citizen engagement into an action plan. This framework will address the following four areas imperative for creating an action plan:

WORKSHOP LEADERS: Lauren Modeen, Manager of Digital Strategy, Professional Services, leads the digital strategy for the GovDelivery and GovLoop Professional Services team. Currently, she develops the communication strategies and web 2.0 tools and techniques for clients. She is regularly published and speaks on new media and online community and engagement topics. In 2010 she won the International Distinguished Young AFCEAN Award in the DC metro-area for her leadership and effectiveness in implementing social media tools. @exilauren

Joseph Porcelli, Director, Professional Services of GovDelivery. Prior to joining GovDelivery, Joseph served as the first Community Engagement Strategist for the U.S Department of Homeland Security. He led Online Operations and Partnerships for the ServiceNation legislation campaign; founded NeighborsForNeighbors.org which operates the first neighborhood social network; developed new online and offline organizing models for the Boston Police Department; worked as the Senior Associate for a CRM consulting firm; and received awards and international media attention for leading the Nametag and Mug Projects. @josephporcelli

*** Choose C or D or BOTH for Maximum Value and Learning ***

How To Strategically Drive Public Outreach Using Traditional And New Media As Well As Innovative Communication Tools And Techniques

It is imperative for organizations to engage, educate and interact with citizens to influence behavior, calm fears, and build awareness, understanding and support. In today’s environment of budget cuts and government disillusionment, it is more important than ever for your organization to educate your constituents on what you do, how you serve, and how your work positively impacts the world.

Strategically driven public outreach, using traditional and new media as well as innovative communication tools and techniques, can help you accomplish that goal – you will leave this workshop on a successful path towards:

• Choosing the most effective communication tool for the specific message being communicated and audience you are communicating to
• Defining your organization’s priorities and building your communications plan around them
• Understanding the different approaches to communicating including the array of communication tools available today
• Listening better to your audiences and getting them to listen better to you

WORKSHOP LEADER: Sandy Evans Levine is President of Advice Unlimited LLC, a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) public outreach/strategic communications firm serving government organizations and companies selling to the government, based in the Washington DC metro area. She has received numerous awards for her professional skills and business acumen, and has published articles and delivered presentations for many leading organizations on the topics of government communications, strategic public outreach, leveraging new and traditional media, and disaster recovery communications.

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon break/lunch on your own

Don’t Just Listen, Monitor: Understanding Social Media’s Influence On Your Agency, Congressional Leaders, And Your Staff

With more federal agencies taking the plunge into the world of short-burst social media, turning to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as main channels of communications, it is critical that agency leaders and message-makers be fully plugged into what is being said on these social media platforms.

Citizens, constituents, and government stakeholders of all stripes are sharing more information than ever before about their likes, dislikes, ideas, hopes and frustrations. They are doing this willingly, publicly, and in a digital format that makes measuring and analyzing the information a breeze. No longer do you have to rely on expensive and cumbersome polls and focus groups -- social media now gives you even more data, in a constant stream that's free and accessible.

• The importance of listening and the impact of not listening
• How social media can show if your organization is satisfying public need
• How your social media makes you look to Congress, the White House and any other stakeholders
• How understanding social media can provide value in internal/external communications, departmental policy and operations

WORKSHOP LEADER: Richard Hartman, COO, Cofounder of OhMyGov Inc. is a former career member of the federal government's Senior Executive Service (SES) and life-long dedicated public servant; he is now helping government from the outside. OhMyGov provides government news and consulting services at the intersection of social media, communications and public affairs for an audience of government and private sector communications professionals.