Ethelo

Masterclass #4

Planning for Successful Engagements

with Joan Botkin

Learn the foundations of planning an effective public engagement

When done properly, public engagement has the potential to build social capital and create a positive partnership with administration and the community. But good engagement requires proper planning and preparation – and sometimes local government staff do not have the time, knowledge or resources to do this effectively.

In this masterclass series, you’ll learn the key principles for effectively engaging your residents through five free, daily videos.

Join Joan Botkin, former Manager of Communications for the Town of Okotoks, as she walks you through the main steps for planning a meaningful engagement process.

Masterclass Overview

Why Take the Masterclass?

  • Learn how to plan and implement successful engagement activities with your community
  • Gain tips and guidelines for planning an authentic engagement that aids decision-making
  • Get access to templates and resources for planning your public engagement

Who Should Take the Masterclass?

This masterclass is for any local government staff leading public engagement activities. 

Have an upcoming engagement on the calendar? Don’t have time for a full class or training program? This masterclass will cover the basics of public engagement planning and point you to resources for further learning.

Start Now!

Our classes are meant to fit into your busy schedule. Sign up for short 5-6 minute videos, sent to your inbox every day for five days, that can be watched whenever you have the time.

Day 1: Understanding the issue and context

Learn why good design is important and get introduced to four fundamental design principles from

Day 2: Identifying internal stakeholders and resources

Learn how to use simple font changes and repeating visual elements to draw your audience’s attention to key points and guide them through your document.

Day 3: Understanding your audience

Dive into the meanings and uses of different types of alignment, including how to use it to make your text easier to read.

Day 4: Making it authentic

Get to know how putting related items close together, through spacing and layout, makes documents more legible.

Day 5: Communicating with the public

Now that you’ve learned about the four design principles, find out how to use them all together in a document. Then get some final tips and tricks from Andrea on further developing your design skills.