May 6 - Paying Attention to Tension
Explore the hidden power of tension and its role in professional success with Bob DeMers MS, CPC, CCA, CCC. Attendees will have the opportunity to "pay attention to their own tension" by completing a personal ChangeGrid™
 
June 3 - Communicating To Change Public Behavior
Join Erin Culbert, APR, environmental outreach coordinator at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities as she shares their successful strategies for communicating water restrictions during a sustained water crisis and motivating behavior change 
  
July 1- All A-Twitter Over Twitter: A Luncheon Eat & Tweet
A hands-on "Eat & Tweet" session with Chris Harrington, technology director for Luquire-George Andrews communications agency and creator of the "Vote Woz" Twitter campaign that made national headlines

Representatives from more than 50 organizations turned out for IABC/Charlotte's eighth annual public service workshop, "Profitable Communications for Nonprofits," March 26 at the Mint Museum on Randolph Road. 

The vast majority of attendees hailed from nonprofit organizations, which IABC/Charlotte invited to attend the workshop free of charge. The audience's rapt attention and lively participation indicated the event's success. "The IABC workshop was extremely helpful for me in my role on the Assistance League's PR committee," Shelly Shepard said. "For the first time, I was truly able to see WHY and HOW Twitter and the other social media sites can be so beneficial for an organization, and an individual.

"Though social media was the marquee topic, the other sessions were well received. "Lead with vision, not need," noted nonprofit consultant Patton McDowell. He was talking about communicating with funders, as part of "Communicating With Your Board."  

Marketing executives Tom Groonell and Mark Levine showed how the Madison Avenue planning and communications tools can aid nonprofits. Specifically, they addressed: brand pillars (building equity), segmentation (understanding audiences) and laddering (constructing one's story).  

Social media advocate Jarod Hillerman and Luquire George Andrews Technology Director Chris Harrington addressed "Social Media-the What Why How & You." Hillerman noted that social media offers three main benefits:
·  Engaging influencers and detractors
·  Informing a larger community,   empowering supporters
·  Spreading your message

"The audience has an interest in YOU," Harrington said of social media such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. "The connection is stronger than the shotgun approach of traditional media." He advised giving a social media site several months of steady participation before expecting significant results.  "Be patient," Hillerman agreed.