We covered a lot of material today and since we didn’t produce a packet like the last couple of workshops, I waned to be sure to post both the slide deck and “cheat sheet” right away:

• Franking Rules & Regulations Slides (PDF)
• Cheat Sheet (PDF)

Thanks again, and please leave your comments here about topics for 2012 Spark Workshops!

Here is a general overview:

1. Plan ahead.
2. Plan ahead.
3. Plan ahead.

Seriously, plan ahead! If you take a closer look at the slide deck (PDF), you’ll see we also stressed identifying all of the channels you want to communicate through, assembling a team to carry the load and spreading out drop dates across your various campaigns.

We have one more Spark Workshops planned for 2011 focusing on franking rules and regulations. We’ll offer a primer and give a preview of some new policies going into effect next year. You can register on the Spark Workshop website.

1. Casting a wide net to collect emails
2. Smart ways to convert addresses to subscribers
3. Best practices to maximize the reach and impact of your messages

Here is a link the the slide deck: Spark Workshop – September 2011 (PDF).

We are excited about both our October and November Spark Workshops too. Next month we will be talking about building a multi-faceted communications plan for offices that are beginning to be spread thin with social media along with traditional outreach. Brad Fitch of the Congressional Management Foundation will also join us to introduce a new CMF report on constituent mail co-sponsored by Fireside21.

Get more information and register for these upcoming events on the Spark Workshop website.

Does the advent of online advocacy and lobbying pose a threat or opportunity for your office? What about the creation of citizen-run government-transparency sites?

The fact is that technology is changing the policy-making process, from vlogging to press conferences in virtual worlds to using technology to increase transparency and public access.

You don’t want to be left behind, right?

Register now for the 2008 Politics Online Conference at our discounted rate for Senate and Congressional staff of $100 (full price tickets are $350). Simply enter POLC40584 during checkout for this special, limited-time offer.

This year’s panels and discussions include:

Will “Radical Transparency” transform politics?
As Internet technology creates broader public access to legislative processes, how will this increased scrutiny affect our government?

Open source government: Can peer production create better public policy?
Peer production has produced better code, tracked lobbyist spending, and created Wikipedia. Can it also be used to build government programs, write policy, and save the world?

The future of mass email campaigns
What do we know about the effect of mass e-mail campaigns when they target US regulatory agencies? Do they work? Are there unintended consequences? This panel continues a dialogue that started in 2003 between researchers, agency officials, and a range of e-advocacy specialists from the public interest and business community. At issue are the tools and techniques for harnessing the collective wisdom of citizens who elect to participate through the ‘notice and comment’ process.

Designing outreach in virtual worlds
Outreach is no longer something that occurs on Facebook or in the school gymnasium after a townhall meeting. Some elected officials are using online multi-player games, like Second Life, to reach constituents. Some associations and issue groups are developing persuasive games. This panel will provide an intimate look at developing and designing an outreach program for virtual worlds.

Check out the full agenda, POLC blog and register with the discount code POLC40584!

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