Our CSAC Institute May courses are filling up quickly, but there’s still room in three valuable sessions being held at our Sacramento campus. Crisis communications and stakeholder engagement — two issues that when done correctly, can make all the difference in the world. And when they are ignored or done incorrectly, watch out…

Register now. 

PREPARE YOUR COUNTY FOR THE UNEXPECTED
Take the following two emergency preparation classes separately or together!

When Bad Things Happen: Managing the Media in Crises and Emergencies

Thursday, May 11, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento Campus

Counties are prepared for natural disasters … but what about federal and state investigations, embezzlement of county funds, arrest or death of an official, program failure, scandals uncovered and other unexpected situations. Are you prepared? This course focuses on the communications principles required to respond to organizational crises. Case studies are analyzed to identify successful and unsuccessful agency responses. A specific set of steps are examined to prepare a communications response, including role assignments, strategies and tactics which target affected audiences, key messages which tell the county’s story, and delivering the response via the media and other communications vehicles. Techniques are shared for response options, sample messages, understanding media perspective and how to avoid common pitfalls and missteps. Instructors are Sheri Benninghoven, APR President of SAE Communications; and Scott Summerfield, an expert in public agency strategic communications.

Leadership During and After a Crisis: Roles of Elected and Senior Officials

Friday, May 12, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento Campus

New Class! During a crisis all eyes look to community leaders for information, guidance, action and hope. Suddenly senior executives and elected officials find themselves in the spotlight being asked tough questions about a topic they may not fully understand, and they may be survivors as well as leaders. This course is designed to help elected officials and senior executives understand their roles during the response and through the long process of recovery. From a high level the course will look at how the pieces of emergency management fit together and then dig into what leaders should be doing and how they can contribute value towards resolving the crisis. The course will offer practical ideas and insights. Case studies set the stage for candid discussions about what works, what doesn’t, and how to help without hindering. Once the smoke clears and responders go home the community needs leaders to lead the way back to ‘normal.’ Instructor is Rob Dudgeon, former deputy director of the City and County of San Francisco Department of Emergency Management and a global consultant on leadership in crisis situations.  

Stakeholder Engagement; Does It Always Have to be So Messy?

Friday, May 19, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento Campus

Most Requested Class!  Most of us have experienced decision-making as a single-step process-just do it! There is much more to effective problem solving and decision-making. In this best practice course you’ll learn how to design and lead effective decision-making processes with multiple stakeholder groups. Participants explore tips and best practices – and the messy traps to avoid. This is a key, but elusive, skill necessary for all managers in today’s fast-moving environment. It reveals both the fundamental systems at work in high-performing organizations, as well as the specific day-to-day things leaders can do to sustain high levels of success for themselves and their organizations. Instructor is Eric Douglas, author, entrepreneur and facilitator who’s designed and led stakeholder processes in many sectors, including water, health care, energy, and public safety.  

To see all the upcoming classes, visit our January-June Course Schedule. The Institute expands the capacity and capability of county elected officials, senior executives and managers to provide extraordinary services to their communities. Classes are open to all county staff and elected officials. They are an affordable $129 each and include instruction, class materials and lunch. Discounts available when registering for three or more classes.