News
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.
Planning for CAPIO’s Future
by Amy Williams, CAPIO’s President
“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower, former U.S. President
Since 2015, the CAPIO Board meets at an annual board planning session to focus on priority initiatives based on membership feedback. Many might recall that a key outcome in 2017’s retreat was the development of a five-year strategic plan to help strategically chart CAPIO’s course and guide future decisions.
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.
2019-2021 Board of Director Nominations
Would you like to be more involved with CAPIO? Be a Board Member! Volunteers are needed to serve on CAPIO’s 2019-2021 Board of Directors. Your expertise and experience is needed to help guide CAPIO into another great year!
Celebrate Your Accomplishments – The Importance (and Value) of Telling Your Story
By Krista Noonan, director of communications, CalSTRS
Government communicators are often expected to wear many hats. PIOs are called upon to, for example, facilitate long-range strategic visioning and planning, event logistics, as well as work their magic to manage last minute, “get it out yesterday” type of projects.
The ability to flex and adapt is what makes you, as a PIO, successful as you fulfill your organization’s mission to communicate transparently with your stakeholders and constituents.
Getting Organized: The 3 Documents Every PIO Needs to Manage Work and Stay Sane
By Tanya Castaneda, APR
Vice President, Public Relations, Manolatos Nelson Murphy,
Inc.
2018 CAPIO Communicator of the Year
2019 CAPIO Annual Conference has something for communicators from all tides
It’s that time of year! Whether your communications are in rough waters or cruising in smooth sailing, the CAPIO Annual Conference has something for communicators from all tides. From April 8-11, 2019, communicators from all over California and the West Coast will set anchor in Newport Beach for its annual conference, themed “Charting Your Course.”
2019 Starts Strong with Emergency Communications Academy
More than 100 communications professionals from multi-jurisdictions statewide came together for the first annual Cal OES and CAPIO Emergency Communications Academy, January 7-8 in Sacramento. Kicking off the two-day conference was Kelly Huston, with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Christine Brainerd, CAPIO President and City of Folsom’s Communications Director.
A Helping Hand – PIOs on Mutual Aid
In November PIOs from across the state joined Butte County PIOs in the aftermath of the devastating #CampFire. PIOs from across California came to support. From the JIC we share stories from Paul Hosley from West Sacramento along with Adriane Mertens and Misti Harris from Santa Rosa who knew firsthand how the community and their fellow PIOs were feeling in the midst of the disaster and the recovery. Additionally, we share a story from Brandon Vaccaro who assists CAL FIRE Incident Management Teams on large-scale incidents.
My APR Journey
Connie Cochran, APR, is the community relations officer at the City of Stockton in northern California. Publicity Committee Conference Article
I learned about the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) a few years ago at the CAPIO Conference in San Diego. Unfortunately, I did not know about it earlier in my career, because it is the single most career enriching experience that I have ever had.
Keys to the APR: Flashcards, Exercise, and GnR
I started my career as a filmmaker and storyteller because I like exploring relationships between people and explaining how things work. After working in the public sector for a few years, many of the myths that I had learned about public relations (that it was all about marketing or that it was “spin”) were dispelled. I learned that PR was about helping my organization foster better relationships with the community. Since I wanted to do a better job of fostering those relationships, I decided to pursue the APR.
Five Reasons Research Matters in Public Outreach
Turn a hunch into action
Maurice Chaney, public information officer for the City of Roseville Environmental Utilities
Many public information and outreach programs are built upon a hunch. Sometimes they’re well- informed hunches, but a hunch nevertheless. In many instances, it’s all you need to be effective.
It Takes a Pro – Tips and Advice to Help You Earn Your APR
Why APR?
I chose to earn my Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) to grow my leadership function in my agency, contribute to the professional field of public relations and improve my confidence and strength in public relations program development. Being accredited helps me contribute more to our team and elevates the value of what we do in the industry of government communications.
Communicating During a Cyberattack: The Next Public Information Frontier
by Scott Summerfield, Principal, SAE Communications
California is in the midst of one of its most crisis-filled periods on record, and it seems as if we’re perpetually managing fires, mudslides, drought, and more – at the same time we’re focused on community resiliency. But one “crisis of confidence” lurks within every local government agency and has the potential to cripple operations and destroy public confidence – cyberattack.
Seven Steps to APR Success
By Robin Rockey, APR
APR — Those three little letters communicate a powerful message about the public relations practitioners who earn them. The brief, yet mighty designation signals that a practitioner is committed to the practice of public relations at the highest level and is motivated by a quest for lifelong learning.
Long Beach Water’s Turf Removal Program Case Study
Using Behavioral Research to Guide Communications Decisions
Article by Andrea Antony, CivicSpark Water Fellow for Long Beach Water
Long Beach Water has been successfully helping its customers replace thirsty turf with beautiful, water-wise landscapes through its award-winning, Lawn-to-Garden (L2G) incentive program for eight years. So far, over three million square feet of turf has been replaced and 3,500 California-friendly gardens have been planted. Now, the agency is looking to increase participation through a new framework known as community-based social marketing (CBSM).
Members in the News – Port of San Diego
CAPIO’s Communicator of the Year, Tanya Castaneda, and the Port of San Diego were featured in San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s Daily Business report April 19, 2018 for being honored during CAPIO’s 2018 Excellence in Public Information and Communications awards. Read the full story.
And then there was one: Merging Brands and Converging Cultures
Article by Kathie Martin, public information officer, Santa Clarita Valley Water
In 2015, water leaders at Newhall County Water District and Castaic Lake Water Agency proposed a new model of water management for the Santa Clarita Valley. Their idea: dissolve the independent districts and join together to form a new public water agency. Along for the process was also Santa Clarita Water Division and Valencia Water Company. The merger took effect January 1, 2018. It sounded a little like the set up for a bad joke! “An agency, district, division and company walk into a bar…”
CAPIO Announces 2018-2019 Board of Directors
Sacramento, Calif., – The California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO), the state’s premier government communications association, named its 2018 – 2019 Board of Directors during the 2018 CAPIO Annual Conference held in Santa Rosa April 11, 2018.
Take Storytelling to the Next Level through Layered Messaging
Article By Scot Crocker, Managing Partner, Crocker & Crocker
Storytelling has always been a strong communication tool to educate and engage audiences and to change their behaviors for social marketing campaigns conducted by government communicators. In the past, channels for telling stories usually focused on media relations, print ads, newsletters and verbally at public meetings.
Community Connects in New Pollinator Patch
Feature article by Desert Water Agency
Desert Water Agency, Palm Springs’ water provider, recently collaborated with the local high school’s art department and Sustainable Garden Club, along with local businesses to install an eco-friendly pollinator garden outside its office building. Students and community members planted the garden, donated materials and painted a colorful forty-foot mural to accentuate the landscape. The donated garden design incorporated native and water efficient plants, including a Monarch and Queen butterfly host plant, rush milkweed.
Can’t Add Staff? Add an Intern!
Feature article by Linda K. Tucker, APR, media and communications officer, City of Sacramento
Who among us wouldn’t appreciate delegating research, web edits, social media sharing, and picture taking because frankly, there’s not enough of you or your team to go around? If adding a permanent position can’t be justified, often times an intern can. Make the case with your boss for an intern! The ROI for 20 hours a week is invaluable.
Immersive Experiences: Creating a Heightened Level of Engagement
Feature article by Cassandra Popli, vice president, Agency ETA
When storytelling comes to life, an immersive experience is created. When done right, immersive marketing transforms an ordinary event into an unforgettable experience and makes engaging with a brand feel natural. This type of outreach has recently gained popularity because of its strong appeal to the younger generation, especially coveted millennials who have been raised to expect interconnectivity everywhere they look. However, immersive also relates to a much wider audience; it can capture and transport attendees into an entire world centered around your overall vision whether that be a showcase, education goal or sharing of information.
April is APR Month!
Celebrating the Profession, Ethics, Education and Expertise
This April marks CAPIO’s first year offering our members the internationally recognized APR, which highlights ethics, education and expertise in the fields of communication and public relations.
CAPIO realizes that ongoing learning and development is key to you – our members – and we are happy to report that in our first year offering the APR, several members have already applied and are moving forward with the Panel Presentation and Computer-based Exam.
Read All About It! Capturing Attention With A Well-Written Headline
Article by Bill Nash, public information officer for Ventura County and CAPIO’s Central CA Director At-Large
The best communications materials are useless unless someone reads, watches or looks at them. When it comes to written material, a good headline is essential to capture a reader’s attention.
Communicator of the Year Francie Palmer Retires
This March, Francie Palmer, CAPIO’s 2017 Communicator of the Year, retires after more nearly two decades in public service.
Francie has been at the helm of the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s communication efforts during this time, starting in the Community Services Department and then moving into her current role as the city’s first-ever communications manager.
Six Inspiring Examples of Citizen Engagement Initiatives for Smart Cities
We all want to love where we live. We want our community to feel like home, to be a place that gives us a sense of pride, and the type of place we want to work hard to protect and maintain. We are often inspired by the creative ways that communities connect to their residents in meaningful ways, which is why we have compiled the list below of six inspiring examples of citizen engagement initiatives for smart cities like yours from across the nation.
February is Membership Month!
We Heart CAPIO
You are CAPIO. We are CAPIO. And, together, we are a mighty group of government communicators charged with working on behalf of our public to inform, educate and engage.
We are 500 strong and growing, and we thank you for supporting the California Association of Public Information Officials.
February is membership month. Not only do we want to celebrate the hundreds of men and women that make up this great association, but also want people to know who we are, too. Recruit a colleague or another government communicator to join this organization!
CAPIO Unveils Strategic Plan
CAPIO has had a long and respected 40+ year history serving California’s government public relations professionals, and has experienced tremendous growth in the last five years. With 500 members strong, CAPIO is California’s go-to association for government communicators.
Now, the board is asking… What’s next? What can CAPIO do over the next five years to further its mission? And how can we best serve our members with the training, tools, resources and networking opportunities to develop and advance?
Inclusive Communication
Communicating Effectively: Think Inclusive, Not Diverse
by Lana Haddad, Director of Government and Public Affairs and Kaylee Weatherly, Public Information Officer, Long Beach Water
Public agencies exist to provide essential services to our communities, and CAPIO professionals serve a critical role for our agencies in communicating about the good work we do. Recognizing diversity in our service areas, however, is not enough to communicate effectively. In order to best serve the public, it is vital that our communications understand, reflect and serve the interests and needs of all of our neighbors.
The Perfect Recipe for a Mentor
CAPIO is launching its first-ever mentoring program in order to provide our members with ongoing learning and development, which is one of the key ingredients our members’ success.
CAPIO 2018 Conference
#SonomaCountyStrong
Sonoma County is bouncing back! With determination and motivation, Sonoma County is returning to an area known for its beauty and booming economy, and CAPIO will be right by their side! Our strong support will be present April 9 -12 as hundreds of communications professionals journey to Santa Rosa for the annual CAPIO conference. Whether you are staying at a hotel or simply driving in, the smallest action means you’re contributing to their economic recovery. CAPIO looks forward to being there in person to support the area and the businesses to keep #SonomaCountyStrong!
Keeping Up with the Trends: Shifting Reality – Sponsored Article by ETA Agency
A trend is something that is popular at a certain point in time. Fortunately, and unfortunately, there will always be a new trend coming along to replace the old in what seems like a short time span. It can sometimes feel like a full-time job keeping up with the new applications or technologies that claim to revolutionize the world of brand experiences. The ultimate digital communications strategy is to engage with your community in new and innovative ways while also ensuring you aren’t wasting your budget and time resources on a fleeting “trendy” technology or communication tool.
We Are CAPIO – now 500 strong and growing!
This week CAPIO celebrated a milestone as our 500th member just rolled in! In just five short years, CAPIO’s membership has tripled in size. This is testimony to an increased demand for well-trained professional government communicators and CAPIO’s relevance in providing an avenue for professionals to learn, grow and thrive in this dynamic field.
CAPIO’s growing membership enables us to continue expanding our educational, professional development and accreditation programs to our members.
APR Webinars Available On Demand
Interested in taking your communications skills to the next level and becoming an industry leader?
Managing a National Crisis Communications Response and the Aftermath
This month we interviewed Sarah Macdonald, communications officer for the City of San Marcos and vice president of awards for CAPIO. Read about her first crisis communications experience, best practices she learned and her 10-minute hacks on getting PIOs well-prepared for any crisis situation.
CAPIO: What has been your biggest crisis communications experience?
Frank Cowan Honored with Inaugural Crisis Communication Award
Longtime government crisis communicator Frank Potter Cowan was recognized with the first-ever “Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communication Leader Award” from the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) at the organization’s April Awards of Excellence event.
California’s Premier Government Communications Association Names 2017 – 2019 Board
Sacramento, Calif., – The California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO), the state’s premier government communications association, named its 2017 – 2019 Board of Directors.
Francie Palmer named 2017 Communicator of the Year
SAN DIEGO, CALIF., – Francie Palmer, a seasoned government communications professional who serves as the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s communications manager, was recognized by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) as the state’s 2017 Communicator of the Year.
Jenny Windle named the 2017 Paul B. Clark Recipient
SAN DIEGO, Calif., – The California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) honored seasoned government communications professional Jenny Windle with its 2017 Paul B. Clark lifetime achievement award, recognizing her exceptional leadership in the profession. The award was presented at CAPIO’s annual conference in San Diego on April 5.
April was APR Month, but what is the APR?
April was not only the month of our annual CAPIO Conference, but it was also APR month – recognizing that not everyone can do what we do as government communicators. You may have seen our social media posts or heard the buzz about CAPIO now offering the APR, but what is it?