I sincerely think that Twitter is a great communication tool, that could be highly useful for public sector communicators. If you are a public servant, and you are using or want to use Twitter, read the above mentioned article as a good example on what not to do.

I wanted to express my gratitude to both the morning and the afternoon groups – both sessions were very inspiring and I really enjoyed our discourse. Also, thank you to the Network of Public Communicators, who organised this event with me.

I found a nice post about what you need to consider if you want to start an organizational blog (not strictly for the public sector, but it is very transferrable)- something we discussed during the workshop a fair bit. I wanted to point you, fellow participants, and my valued readers, there. Any thoughts, comments, remarks (about the article, or the workshop)?

Social Media are transforming the way people interact and connect.  They are
rapidly becoming a mainstream way of communicating.  However, to successfully utilise these channels it is crucial to understand not only
their advantages and applications, but also their rules and risks, and how
to deal with them.

This seminar is aimed specifically at public sector communicators who want
to find out how Social Media are already affecting their work, and who want
to develop a strategic approach to their possible use in the public sector.

It is being conducted by Iris Lamprecht of Loudhail Social Media Consulting.

The seminar consists of two parts:

1. an overview of the most prominent Social Media in use and the possibilities for the public sector to utilise these media
2. the principles of a strategic approach to Social Media, and the creation
of a first draft of a strategy for each participant’s agenda

The seminar will take place over two half days. To ensure a high quality
and relevance to each participant, numbers are restricted to max. 15 people
per half day. Participants can choose to either attend one half day of their
interest, or come along to both half days.

PROGRAMME
Day 1: Wednesday, 20th February 2008, 2.00 pm – 5.30 pm
After a short initial presentation and discussion of the most important
Social Media in New Zealand each participant’s experiences with Social Media
will be discussed – their use, their perceptions, their expectations

Following this the seminar will look at these key issues:
1. What are the main Social Media platforms and applications in use at the
moment?
2. How are they being used, and by whom?
3. How can Social Media be utilised in the public sector?
4. What are the trends?
5. How can the impact of Social Media be measured?

The seminar will work through the actual everyday challenges that this form
of communicating might bring.

Participants will leave with a document outlining the key issues of Social
Media, as well as a huge pool of ideas generated during the seminar for
going ahead in “real life” of public sector communication.

Day 2: Thursday, 21st February 2008, 2.00pm – 5.30pm

The second day is devoted to those who want to start building a Social Media
strategy for their area: we will go through the process and the key factors
you have to look at and start working on a very first draft for your
specific area.

The main topics will be:
1. How to build a Social Media strategy;
2. Discussion of everyone’s key agenda;
3. Going through the process of diagnosing the appropriate Social Media
strategy for everyone’s specific agenda.

Participants will leave with a very first draft of their Social Media
strategy.

COST
Network members – two half days $600 (GST inclusive) one half day $350 (GST
inclusive)

Non members – two half days $750 (GST inclusive) one half  day $425 (GST
inclusive)

LOCATION
Weir House, Victoria University, Gladstone Terrace, Kelburn, Wellington.

REGISTER
Please register your interest in attending by 7 February 2008 by sending an
email to info@psnetwork.org.nz <mailto:info@psnetwork.org.nz> -(Cathy
Trewby, Secretary, Network of Public Sector Communicators)

IMPORTANT NOTICES
Once you are accepted for attendance at the seminar the fees are due and you
will be sent the Network’s bank account details so you are able to arrange
payment

Please use this notice as the payment invoice as no separate invoice will be
issued.  The Network is not GST registered.

Payment is required prior to the event.