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CAPIO partners with sister agencies to bring you three July webinars
Better together - partnerships with SiOC, MMANC and 3CMA support our mutual focus on training
Is your agency looking to earn or rebuild trust with your community, perfect your crisis communications response plan, or further understand unconscious bias? Join us for these upcoming July webinars with our association partners.
A Year in Review
2019-2020 Snapshot
CAPIO continues to soar to new heights and this past year was no different.
Check out the latest Year in Review that shows all that we’ve been able to accomplish over the past 12 months.
The initiatives we set in our five year strategic plan are paying off as we continue to provide even more offerings to members.
This Year in Review is a reflection of all of our members. Without you, we couldn’t offer the amazing programming, enrichment and networking opportunities. So, thank you!
CAPIO President’s Message on Current Events
"With open, productive conversations, we can work towards taking action and creating change—together. "
Dear CAPIO,
We are all at a loss for words that captures the heavy nature of all that’s going on in our nation.
However, what holds true is this: We stand against injustice. We stand against racism. We stand against violence.
We stand proudly and resolutely for continued and sustained change in our country and hope for equality.
Begin your APR Journey Online
APRPREP Exam is now available for CAPIO members
Earning your APR is an excellent way to sharpen your skills and set yourself apart in the job market. CAPIO members can now complete the APRPREP study course and take the computer-based exam online!
Learn more at the virtual APR Summer Open
House on May 28. 
Message from 2020-2021 CAPIO President
Maurice Chaney, PIO, City of Roseville Environmental Utilities
Traditionally the CAPIO Board transition occurs at our Annual Conference each spring. This year, we are transitioning during a virtual board meeting to transition between current president, Amy Williams, and incoming president, Maurice Chaney.
In order to celebrate this moment, we asked Maurice Chaney to share a few words with the membership. Click video on the left to view or view on Vimeo
CAPIO 2020 Conference Cancellation
Funds can be transferred to CAPIO 2021 (Resort at Squaw Creek) or refunded
Dear CAPIO Members and Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I’m announcing the cancellation of our rescheduled June conference. As we all are managing this health crisis together, the need for physical distancing and other COVID-related protocols remain.
As you might imagine, this is devastating news. There nothing more energizing for our profession than getting together at the conference to learn from each other. Our communities’ health is vitally important.
Managing this pandemic is ever-changing and there are many unknowns on how we reopen our economy. As a result, at the most recent board meeting, the Board of Directors made this decision to cancel unanimously.
Trainings will continue
CAPIO will continue to be here to serve you and will pivot our training to meet the needs of the time.
We hope you’ve had a chance to view some of our recent COVID-19 related webinars offered free to members and non-members. If you’re interested in catching up on any you missed, visit our webinar page here.
As we begin to navigate this new reality, we will continue our training opportunities virtually – focusing on content you would like to see including turning many of the sessions from the 2020 Conference into training you can view from your desk.
Award programing
We have amazing projects that have been submitted and we can’t wait to highlight them! Our Awards program will go on and we will unveil our plan for recognition very soon. We will notify finalists in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for updates on the program through our emails and on our website.
Conference logistics
To manage conference transfers, refunds and to get your ideas on virtual learning, please take a few moments to answer our CONFERENCE SURVEY. Before you take the survey, consider these options:
- CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS: CAPIO will transfer your conference fees to the 2021 Conference scheduled for April 26-29, 2021 at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley. If you transfer your fees, your conference is pre-paid even if 2021 conference registration prices increase. Alternatively, We can refund your conference fees in full. Please answer our SURVEY to let us know which option you prefer.
- CONFERENCE SPONSORS: We encourage you to transfer your funds to sponsor our 2021 conference. For all sponsors selecting this option, we will recognize your company as a sponsor during an upcoming training. The recognition can be in the form of brief commercial or company ad at the beginning of the webinar. Sponsors may also request a full refund of their sponsor fees and any registration fees they have paid. Please answer our SURVEY to let us know which option you prefer.
Board changes
In May, I’ll be transitioning the CAPIO reigns to Maurice Chaney as the incoming president. He will join a fantastic group of incoming and current board members who will continue to lead this organization with a focus on serving you – our membership. I continue my role as past president.
As my president term ends, I am grateful for each one of you. We are in this together – and this crisis will bring us even closer.
We will have more to celebrate when we reconvene in 2021, which happens to be the 50th Anniversary of the founding of CAPIO!
Until then,
Amy Williams
2019-2020 CAPIO President
Chief of Staff, City of Sacramento
CAPIO to offer resource repository for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outreach
Share your response plan and resources
On February 11, the World Health Organization announced COVID-19 (Coronavirus) as the official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.
Member survey reveals 99 % satisfaction rate
by Membership Chairs - Pam Allen and Kathie Martin
Thank you to the 441 members who participated in CAPIO’s 2019 membership survey. We learned a lot about who our members are, what value you find in CAPIO membership, and what you would like to see in the future as we continue to advance public communicators.
CAPIO Launches New Website
Dynamic, User-Friendly Experience Now Available for Members
At our annual conference in April, CAPIO was excited to unveil our new brand. Since then, we’ve been working closely with our project partner, Digital Deployment, to design a new, innovative website that integrates our new brand into a more dynamic, user-friendly website experience for current and prospective members.
New Brand Unveiled at Annual Conference
CAPIO's Taking Members to New Heights
CAPIO was excited to unveil its new brand at our conference in April. As we all know, the world around us is changing. The demand for information is at an all-time high, and attention spans are at an all-time low. We’re in an era where meaningful community engagement has to be carefully balanced with powerful outside pressures. Communication is moving faster than ever, meaning what’s worked for us in the past won’t continue to work in the future.
2019 Paul B. Clark Recipient
Rachel McGuire, APR Honored with Prestigious Award
Rachel McGuire, APR, was awarded the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) 2019 Paul B. Clark Achievement Award on Wednesday, April 10. McGuire was honored for her commitment to leadership and mentorship within the communications field.
Traditional Media Needs Your Content
Feature Article by Brent Ainsworth, County of Marin Public Information Specialist
We’re professional communicators, so we all know the reason why the traditional media have experienced a slow and painful descent: Advertising revenue has gone elsewhere, or purely DIY for business owners. That’s left little funding to pay for good journalism. I don’t see this turning around. Do you?
Social Media Policy Considerations for Government Agencies
Feature Article by Diamond Sponsor PageFreezer
The public information landscape has changed incredibly over the last few years. Whether simply engaging with constituents on a day-to-day basis or planning for an emergency, social media forms an important part of just about every communication strategy.