Registration Fee: (PPA Members): $225.00
After June 28 $275.00
Non-PPA Members: $275.00
The registration fee covers workshops, the welcome reception and dinner, movie night and other refreshments, and the Awards Banquet. Please note that the fee is all-inclusive and must be paid in full before you can finalize your registration form. Once the list is complete, we will provide the class schedule for you to choose from.
The workshops are:
A) Where do I Begin?
Join us for assistance with your union's publication! We'll cover the importance of communication, steps to get you going, with insights from A-Z whether you have a large or small amount of members. Communicating with them is key!
(B) Building our Labor Movement & Organizing the Organization and the Unorganized
Let’s empower ourselves to create a brighter future for workers during these tough times? Postal workers, with support from allies, are exploring ways to strengthen their influence and protect essential public services. With the USPS facing challenges, we need to strategically plan how to tackle this issue.
This workshop also offers valuable tools for union leaders. How can we improve our organizational and member-organizing skills? We will focus on understanding our union’s structure and how to get organized to tackle daily responsibilities to become effective leaders.
(C) Legal Issues: Can We Write That, or Could We Put our Union in Legal Trouble?
Join us for a workshop on key topics including Department of Labor regulations, libel issues, copyright infringement, and federal election laws. This session is especially valuable for those involved in union publications and websites. We aim to provide a productive learning experience that clarifies appropriate practices in our communications.
(D) Communications for Member Involvement and Union Building
In today’s multimedia environment, union editors can make their publications central to a strategic communications system that strengthens the union.
This interactive workshop will help participants assess their local’s communication needs, evaluate the effectiveness of various media outlets, and develop a distribution network that reaches all members. We will also discuss how to integrate the newsletter into a broader communications plan.
(E) Leveraging Social Media Including Your Website-Transforming Your Digital Presence into an Effective Communications Tool.
Unlock the power of social media and enhance your digital communication! Join us for a workshop on improving your website and using social media for effective union communication, whether you're a beginner or experienced.
We'll cover how to combine social media with printed newsletters to connect better with your members and discuss the importance of maintaining an updated website. Please bring your cell phone for video recording and a laptop to make the most of our time together as we share best practices for driving traffic to your site!
(F) Revamping the Newsletter: Enhancing Visual Appeal Including Quality Photojournalism
The emphasis of this workshop will be to examine and evaluate overall design of your publication from nameplate to mailing block and everything in between. This unique design seminar will stimulate your creative skills and help you reinvent (or invent) a publication that your members notice. Through a publication review you’ll be able to see and discuss successful new designs for various types of publications. (Note: Participants should bring a copy of their publication to this workshop.)
(G) Influencing Public Support: Developing a Strategy for Getting Your Message Out
Public support is vital for an organization to reach its goals and connect with the community. This workshop will help you build a positive public image for your local or state union to attract supporters.
We will explore strategies to highlight your union's contributions and improve its visibility, as well as how to build relationships with the media. Participants will also learn to prepare press releases, create media contacts, conduct interviews, and implement tactics for maintaining a progressive public image.
(H) Writing & Editing for the Union Communicator; a.k.a. How to Write More Gooder
Join our hands-on workshop to learn how to provide readers with relevant news, feature familiar faces, and address important issues. Discover how incorporating local news enhances credibility and member engagement. Through practical exercises, you will learn to write timely stories, craft attention-grabbing headlines, and create engaging features that link members' experiences to union priorities. This workshop is vital for anyone involved in written communication with members.
(I) Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, & Word)
Microsoft Office Basic Software (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) - are you ready to increase your skills with this software? Attend this workshop to assist you with your knowledge and usage of each.
(J) Becoming an Effective Spokesperson: Mastering the Art of Representation
When speaking at union meetings, rallies, or media interviews, it's vital to have a clear message that links your personal experiences to the topic. This interactive workshop will cover best practices for crafting impactful messages tailored for television, radio, and print. Participants will practice interviews via Zoom, with sessions recorded for review and feedback to improve their skills as spokespersons.
(K) Insights from Labor History: Utilizing Historical Lessons to Address Today’s Challenges
Explore past labor movement actions to find parallels with today's issues. Learn from historical successes and failures to guide your current strategies and decision-making. History can offer valuable insights as we face new challenges and threats to our job, union, and the organization.
