National Association of County Information Officers News

2022 Awards of Excellence

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:10:55 GMT

After literally years of trying, we’re finally able to move forward with the NACIO Awards of Excellence contest! And while we weren’t able to pull off the 2020 contest because of COVID or the 2021 contest because of other issues, we still wanted the opportunity to recognize you for your work during that time!

So, the 2022 NACIO Awards of Excellence will accept entries of work produced from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021. That’s right – your work from 2019, 2020 and 2021 is eligible for this year’s contest.

We will have more information and details on the NACIO website the week of April 18^th, but here’s what we can tell you now:

Contest opens on May 1; closes May 20 at 5:00 p.m. MDT
Cost per entry for members is $35; cost per entry for non-members is $50
Enter as many items as you wish!
Categories are:
- Annual Report
- Brochures
- - One Page
  - Multi-Page Booklet
- Writing
- - News writing
  - Feature writing or columns
  - News releases
  - Special graphics
- Graphic Design
- - Logos, themes and letterheads
  - Graphics for brochures and publications
  - Special graphics
- Photography
- Audio/Visual Production
- - One-time visual programming
  - Video series
  - Podcasts or audio programming
- Special Projects
- - Ceremonies or community events
  - Public education campaign
- Electronic Communications
- - Websites
  - Email Newsletter to citizens

So, start pulling your PDFs and EPSs, your JPGS and MP4s and get them ready for the biggest awards contest NACIO has held yet!

Minnesota Association of Government Communicators - Plain Language Writing Workshop with Brian Lieb

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 18:27:06 GMT

Plain language? What’s that? Exactly what it sounds like! Simply put, according to the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN), plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand use government communications. PLAIN’s vision is to create a culture of clarity for every audience, every format – every time.

Learn the how from an early adopter and expert. Brian Lieb developed Hennepin County's plain language program, one of the first and most effective in the country.

Join the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators on April 14, noon – 1 p.m. (CST) for our plain language workshop via Zoom.

Click here for additional information.

Join Our Members-Only Facebook Group

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 20:31:10 GMT

NACIO is on Facebook! We have an open page, but as a benefit of your membership, you can also join the private, members group. It’s a great way to connect with other County communicators, discuss current topics, ask for help, share information and resources, etc. To find our group, search “National Association of County Information Officers” and request to join.

Leveraging the Power of Media to Advance County Priorities and Combat Misinformation During COVID-19

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 20:30:37 GMT

Presentation from NACo's Legislative Conference

NACIO Board Member Carolyn Marinan, chief public relations officer for Hennepin County (Minnesota), recently presented during the NACo Legislative Conference. During the Leveraging the Power of Media to Advance County Priorities and Combat Misinformation session, Marinan and county communications professionals from Arizona and Maryland discussed strategies used to deploy traditional and modern communications tools in order to combat misinformation and to relay accurate information and influence opinions.

Click here to access the presentation.

Get Involved! NACIO Needs YOU!

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 20:29:28 GMT

We have several opportunities available to be more involved in NACIO! The NACIO Board of Directors comprises local government communicators who are dedicated to promoting the value of professional PIOs and communicators to county governments. Our board members champion the importance of exceptional board leadership and believe that every organization needs a strong and effective board to fully realize its potential for good. In addition to the standard roles and responsibilities of a board member, our board members are active advocates and ambassadors for the organization and are fully engaged in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for NACIO to advance its mission.

Current open positions include:

Region 2 Director- Regional Directors are appointed by the President and serve as a representative of and liaison to the NACIO members in their area. Region 2 Area includes: Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia.
Region 3 Director - Regional Directors are appointed by the President and serve as a representative of and liaison to the NACIO members in their area. Region 3 Area includes: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Think about it. And, if you think a position on the Board is right for you, please reach out to Rebecca Carter to express your interest.

NACo Board votes to hold hybrid 2021 Annual Conference in Prince George’s County, Md.

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 20:27:38 GMT

The NACo Board voted March 19 to relocate the 2021 NACo Annual Conference to Prince George’s County, Md., revising the dates to July 9-12, just outside of Washington, D.C. The conference would be a hybrid of in-person and remote programming. The Board also passed 27 interim policy resolutions (see details on pages 9-13) that will help guide NACo’s advocacy through July’s Annual Business Meeting. Additional information will be forthcoming.

Julie Chávez Rodriguez, White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, spoke to the Board ahead of President Joe Biden’s planned March 24 appearance. As president-elect, Biden spoke during the Fall Board Meeting, too.

Rodriguez said Treasury Department guidance for the American Rescue Plan’s $65.1 billion in direct funding to counties was coming soon and thanked counties for their work championing the bill.

“We want to hear from you all, what are important things for the Treasury Department to keep in mind as we think about flexibilities around state and local funding,” she said. “What are the kinds of issues you are facing and the kinds of critical needs that you have that should be informing the next steps of our implementation?”

Though county officials were not able to make the trip to Washington, D.C. for the Legislative Conference, they’ll be roughly a mile away during the Annual Conference.

“We are proud to welcome and host the National Association of Counties to Prince George’s County, Md.,” said Leslie W. Graves, president and CEO of Experience Prince George’s.

“It is a pivotal time to come together through leadership, empowerment and great purpose. Throughout your visit, we encourage you to experience and enjoy the many unique amenities of our destination.”

Interest in an in-person conference began to grow as the country gets on track to vaccinate all adults by the end of May. The close proximity of Prince George’s County to NACo’s office in Washington, D.C. also played a role in the decision, as it is easier to plan and execute the conference without air travel in a short preparation time of three months. The location is also suitable for bringing any federal officials to the conference to discuss federal COVID aid implementation and rulemaking.

NACo will offer a hybrid experience for both in-person and virtual participation, including for the Annual Business Meeting and second vice president election.

NACo will comply with any state or county public health measures.

NACo will reimagine the conference agenda and format to reduce the overall number of sessions and to maximize the use of the convention space for social distancing, COVID screening/testing and live streaming. A safe experience for members to the maximum extent possible will be ensured by including experienced conference organizers in the execution of the event.

The Annual Conference was originally scheduled to take place in Travis County (Austin), Texas, which will now play host to the 2023 conference. Chatham County (Savannah) Ga. will play host to the 2027 conference.

Awards of Excellence Resuming in 2021: Join the Awards Committee!

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 20:25:49 GMT

The NACIO Awards of Excellence competition may have been derailed this last year due to COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to celebrate the great work county communicators do for their residents.

To provide an opportunity to highlight the work that has been done over the past year and the work done in 2019, we are going to hold awards competitions for BOTH years at the same time! So, dust off your 2019 submissions and get them ready, we’re looking forward to seeing everything you’ve been working on for the past TWO years.

Here’s how it will work:

There will be TWO competitions simultaneously – one for 2019 and one for 2020.
Both competitions will follow the same timeline for the awards process.
Winners will be selected in each category for each year.
There will be two (probably virtual) awards ceremonies.

The categories will remain the same:

Annual Report
Brochures (one page; multipage booklet)
Publications (internal; external)
Writing (news writing; feature writing or columns; news releases; speeches)
Graphic Design (logos, themes and letterheads; graphics for brochures and publications; special graphics)
Photography
Audio Visual Production (one-time visual programming; video series; podcasts or audio programming)
Special Projects (ceremonies or community events; public education campaign)
Electronic Communications (websites; best Facebook page; best Twitter feed; email newsletter to citizens)

That said, we need you – our members – to help shape the event. We’ve all had to adjust how we work, day-in and day-out, and have different lessons learned that can will be vital in building an event that is streamlined, user-friendly and flexible (easily moved to an online component, just in case).

Two awards competitions mean twice the preparation, judging, etc. and we could use some help! If you are interested in getting involved in NACIO helping with awards is a great way to learn more about our organization and get some great ideas for future projects – imitation is the sincerest form of flattery after all!

If you are interested in participating on this committee, please send an email to nacio1966@gmail.com.

A Message from NACIO's President Rebecca Carter

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 20:23:46 GMT

Hello everyone,

Please take time to read through this month’s newsletter. There are lots of upcoming events in which you can participate, as well as a recap and recording of the March 4 webinar on COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Strategies. Thank you again to our panel and everyone who joined.

We are planning another webinar that will focus on a very timely topic suggested by our members, The Digital Divide and Digital Inclusion. Most local governments are implementing efforts to help them better reach aging populations, especially during a time when there is an emphasis on digital communication. Those efforts also seek to address the ongoing issue of access to technology for all socioeconomic groups.

We're looking for County Information Officers willing to share their organization's strategy on closing the digital divide during the next webinar. If you would like to serve on the panel, or if you know someone who would be a great addition, please send me an email and let me know.

The Board is also continuing to work on the list of housekeeping items I shared last month:

We’re transitioning our bank account from a regional, East Coast bank, SunTrust, to a national bank, Wells Fargo, for easier accessibility.
We’re also working to get NACIO back in good standing as a recognized 501c(6) organization.
We’re working to create a more formal budget document to share with the membership.
We’re getting the awards platform set up to host two, simultaneous awards contests for projects completed in 2019 and 2020.
We’re also trying to continue to host regular virtual events and provide you an opportunity to connect, share and learn with your colleagues. More information on our next event is below.

If you have a minute to help us out with a project, have a webinar topic in mind, or are willing to serve in a long-term capacity, we would love to have you. Please send me an email if you are interested in getting more involved.

As always, thank you for your continued support of NACIO.

Thanks,

Rebecca Carter
Mecklenburg County

NACIO September 2020 Newsletter

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:55:34 GMT

President's Letter

Hello members!

Despite the pandemic, it seems (at least for me) that things are already gearing up for Fall! It continues to amaze me how quickly we have all adapted, for better or worse, to this new normal. Instead of our usual line-up of Fall events, our Park and Rec staff are planning virtual events, we have more marketing campaigns than I can count and we’re constantly launching new platforms/apps to better serve our residents during this time. And all of this is amidst the constant communication about COVID-19.

I was talking on the phone with a coworker earlier this week about a project we’re coordinating, and our conversation quickly turned to catching up with each other. Since working exclusively from home since March, that is one of the things I miss the most – just turning around in my cubicle pod to ask my colleagues a question, brainstorming ideas and collaborating on projects and just taking a moment to check-in with them personally.

Now we have our “check-ins” with each other by staying on our Microsoft Teams meetings a few minutes after the meeting is over or by text message. We even had an after-work Facetime cocktail hour to celebrate all of our August birthdays a couple of weeks ago!

But I don’t just miss my coworkers, I miss YOU, my communications colleagues. I know you’re still there if I need you, but I miss seeing you in person, sharing your energy and insight and the unspoken understanding of what it’s like to be a local government communicator. Let’s do something about it!

A few of our members presented the idea of a virtual networking and catch-up with colleagues session! Our first NACIO virtual meet-up is September 24 at 3:30pm EST – click here to register, its (FREE)! Bring your questions, your “help me please” topics, and anything else you can think of. I can’t wait to SEE and hear from all of you soon!

Hang in there,

Rebecca Carter

NACIO President, 2019-2021

New Treasurer Announcement

Congratulations to Connie Odom, Public Affairs Manager, Williamson County, Texas for accepting the role of treasurer for NACIO. Connie has served on the NACIO Board for several years as the Region 3 Director. In her time on the Board she has helped keep her colleagues in Region 3 up to date on NACIO business and been a champion of the TCU Certified Public Communicator Program and our organization’s annual scholarship. Thank you, Connie, for taking on this role and continuing your service to NACIO and your communications colleagues.

Open NACIO Board Positions

Current open positions include:

Region 1 Director – Regional Directors are appointed by the President and serve as a representative of and liaison to the NACIO members in their area. Region 1 Area includes: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia. To serve as the Region 1 Director, you must live in the Region 1 area. Regional Directors also support various projects and other efforts as directed.
Region 2 Director- Regional Directors are appointed by the President and serve as a representative of and liaison to the NACIO members in their area. Region 2 Area includes: Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. To serve as the Region 2 Director, you must live in the Region 1 area. Regional Directors also support various projects and other efforts as directed.
Region 3 Director - Regional Directors are appointed by the President and serve as a representative of and liaison to the NACIO members in their area. Region 3 Area includes: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

If you are interested in serving on the NACIO Board, please email Rebecca Carter at Rebecca.Carter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Join Our Members-Only Facebook Group

REMINDER: Submit Your COVID-19 Resources

Don’t forget to submit your information for the online resource portal that will be used as a clearinghouse for COVID-19 related communications materials. Our hope is that this portal will prove to be a valuable resource for counties with communications staffs of all sizes – from a team of one to five or more. Materials ranging from news releases to infographics, website layouts, videos, internal communication plans and everything in between are welcome. Please clearly name/label your materials so we can categorize them correctly on the portal. Submit your materials to NACIO1966@gmail.com.

Member Profile: Heather Shirm

Manager, Digital Marketing and Communications

Palm Beach County

Heather Shirm is the 2020 recipient of the NACIO scholarship to the Certified Public Communicator (CPC) program at Texas Christian University. The CPC program is the only certification program in the country designed specifically for communications professionals working for public sector agencies.

Heather has been with the Palm Beach County for 14 years in communications, starting as a web design coordinator. She was promoted in April 2011 to her current position. Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s in public administration. Through the CPC program, she is working on a department-wide strategic plan that will serve as a template for other county departments within communications divisions.

Due to COVID-19, the CPC program was adjusted from in-person classes to on-line classes. However, Heather reported that the content was very relevant for the times.

Q: What information or topics did you find most useful during the CPC week?

A: I really enjoyed the Leadership, Social Media Tips, and Self Care topics during the CPC week. They were very focused on how to navigate COVID communications activities while helping to avoid fatigue and burnout.

Q: How has the CPC course helped you in your position?

A: The CPC course has helped me to enhance my skillset as a public communicator and to create a concrete vision for my department. The pace of change we are experiencing as a society is unprecedented, and it really helps to know I will have structured, living plan to refer to when things feel overwhelming or change course completely. I’m hopeful the certification will also assist me with future promotions and leadership positions in county government.

NACIO recognizes best work of 2018

Sun, 14 Jul 2019 16:45:33 GMT

Awards reception celebrates communications!

This was another great year for the NACIO Awards of Excellence.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their work – there are amazing and varied communications projects being done by county communicators across the country!

In total, we had 235 entries from 23 counties and 6 county associations. In total members form 19 states submitted work in this year’s contest.

Here is the complete list of winners – congratulations to all!

Category: Annual Reports

Meritorious
Henrico County Annual Report Fiscal Year 2017-2018, Will Jones, Henrico County, VA

Excellence
Public Affairs Annual Report, Chris Floore, Macon-Bibb County, GA

Superior
Service Driven, Len Keso, Maricopa County AZ

Best of Class: Service Driven, Len Keso, Maricopa County, AZ

Category: Brochures / One Page

Meritorious
Be Emergency Ready Campaign, Richland County Public Information Office, Richland County, SC

Meritorious
Montz Progress Report, Public Information Office, St. Charles Parish, LA

Excellence
TAC Cyber Security Awareness Training Brochure, Kristen Benavides, Texas Association of Counties

Superior
2018 Daily Fair Schedule, Joel Quevillon, El Paso County, CO

Brochures / Multi-page

Meritorious
Art Teacher of the Year 2018, Andy Royston, Broward County, FL

Excellence
Official Palm Beach County Hurricane Planning Guide, July 2018 Edition, Claudio Abbascia, Palm Beach County, FL

Superior
New Member Folder, Christie Dutton, Kentucky Association of Counties

Best of Class: 2018 Daily Fair Schedule, Joel Quevillion, El Paso County, CO

Category: Publications / Internal

Meritorious
Airport Employee Emergency Training program (AEET), Broward County Aviation Department, Broward County, FL

Excellence
St. James Parish Government Employee Spotlight, Amber E. Shepard, St. James Parish, LA

Superior
eCountyLine Commemorative Issue, Tamika Bell, Broward County, FL

Publications / External

Meritorious
Broward County Library News - November/December 2018, Broward County Library Marketing Team, Broward County, FL

Excellence
El Paso County PAFR 2018, Joes Quevillon, El Paso County, CO

Excellence
2019 Calendar: Faces of Programs and Services Funded by Tax Dollars, Richland County Public Information Office, Richland County, SC

Superior
Historically Jeffco Magazine, Jefferson County Historical Commission, Jefferson County, CO

Best of Class
Historically Jeffco Magazine, Jefferson County Historical Commission, Jefferson County, CO

Category: Writing / News Writing

Meritorious
Greenwood preps for play, Will Jones, Henrico County, VA

Meritorious
Small railroad keeps AirCenter on track, Gerald Hay, Johnson County, KS

Excellence
911 dispatchers take calls from tragic to quirky, Gerald Hay, Johnson County, KS

Superior
Welding sparks learning job skills to change lives, Gerald Hay, Johnson County, KS

Writing / Feature Writing or Columns

Meritorious
Collaborative Yolo County Program is Turning Around At-Risk Youth, David Liebler, California State Association of Counties

Excellence
Del Norte County's Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program Prepares Communities for Disaster, David Liebler, California State Association of Counties

Superior
Show Respect to Gain Respect, Liz Carmack, Texas Association of Counties

Writing / News Releases

Meritorious
Henrico park named in honor of late Supervisor Richard W. Glover, Will Jones, Henrico County, VA

Excellence
Ho, Ho, Ho. Tis the Season to be Jolly Either by Airplane or Reindeer, Broward County Aviation Department,
Broward County, FL

Excellence
Highland Springs Historic District added to state, national historic registries, Will Jones, Henrico County, VA

Superior
Henrico dedicates Elvin Cosby Way to honor employee beginning 73rd year of service, Will Jones, Henrico County, VA

Writing / Speeches

Meritorious
Henrico Horticulture: Turfgrass Care, Geoff Weidele, Henrico County, VA

Excellence
Firefighter Graduation Speech, Tricia Ring Wajda, Monmouth County, NJ

Superior
Data-Driven Decisions, Broward County Libraries Marketing Team, Broward County, FL

Superior
2018 State of the County Address, Summit County Dept. of Administration and Public Information, Summit County, OH

Best of Class: Show Respect to Gain Respect, Liz Carmack, Texas Association of Counties

Category Graphic Design / Logos, Themes and Letterhead

Meritorious
New Loudoun County Wordmark and Graphic Identity, Loudoun County Government, Loudoun County, VA

Excellence
New Mexico Counties Rebrand Campaign, Susan D. Mayes, New Mexico Counties

Superior
Skeeter Skoot, St. Lucie County Communications Division & Tourism Office, St. Lucie County, FL

Graphic Design / Graphics for Brochures and Publications

Meritorious
Summit County Sheriff Recruitment Card, Summit County Dept. of Administration and Public Information, Summit County, OH

Excellence
#KYCountiesBuild, Jennifer Burnett, Kentucky Association of Counties

Superior
Solid Waste Services Change, Chris Floore, Macon-Bibb County, GA

Graphic Design / Special Graphics

Meritorious
Park Map, Justin Robert, St. Charles Parish, LA

Meritorious
Annual Planning Forum PowerPoint Presentation, Andy Royston, Broward County, FL

Excellence
Weekend Journey Through the Past, Shelly Kays, Somerset County, NJ

Superior
Recycling Rocky, Anthony DeSeno, Monmouth County, NJ

Best of Class: Recycling Rocky Monmouth County, NJ, Anthony DeSeno, Monmouth County, NJ

Category: Photography

Meritorious
Red, White & Lights, Isaac Harrell, Henrico County, VA

Excellence
Chalk Lit Festival 2018, Meredith Clements and Andy Royston, Broward Cultural Division, Broward County, FL

Superior
Thomas Fire Burn Area Storm Response Photography, Santa Barbara County Public Works, Santa Barbara County, CA

Best of Class Thomas Fire Burn Area Storm Response Photography, Santa Barbara County Public Works, Santa Barbara County, CA

Category: Audio / Visual Production – One-Time Video Programming

Meritorious
Emergency Dispatch Protocol System Video, Geinseer Ogando, Broward County, FL

Meritorious
New Mexico Counties Rebrand Video, Susan D. Mayes, New Mexico Counties

Meritorious
Bat Week, Geoff Weidele, Henrico County, VA

Excellence
Desegregation: Stories of Integration of Henrico Public Schools, Steve Boyd, Henrico County, VA

Superior
The Journey - Wastewater Video, Damian FitzSimmons / Braveman Media, Broward County, FL

Audio / Visual Production – Video Series

Meritorious
Special Edition: Production Review Show, Joe Piccione PBCTV-20, Palm Beach County, FL

Excellence
She's Tried Every Job, Doug Bear, Carol Mackie & Erina Kong, Kitsap County, WA

Superior
Penny Surtax Videos, Cindy Malin ,Broward County, FL

Superior
Inside Henrico Fall 2018 , Steven Dunn, Henrico County, VA

Superior
Recycling Woes, Josh King, Bill Carroll, Albert Spear, Mecklenburg County, NC

Audio/Visual Production – Podcasts

Superior
Hello Creatives, Meredith Clements, Jessie Prugh and Angela, Broward County, FL

Best of Class: The Journey - Wastewater Video, Damian FitzSimmons / Braveman Media, Broward County, FL

Category: Special Projects / Ceremonies or Community Events

Meritorious
Vet Fest, Broward County Libraries Division, Broward County, FL

Excellence
Armistice Day event, Hennepin County, Hennepin County, MN

Superior
Eppington 250th Anniversary Celebration, Eppington Foundation 250th Anniversary Committee, Chesterfield County, VA

Special Projects / Public Education Campaign

Meritorious
Passport to Broward, Shelly Turetzky, Broward County, FL

Excellence
Gwinnett Community Outreach, Gwinnett County, Gwinnett County, GA

Superior
Woolsey Fire Communications Response,Los Angeles County, Los Angeles County, CA

Best of Class: Woolsey Fire Communications Response, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles County, CA

Category: Electronic Communications / Websites

Meritorious
Broward County Library Website - Broward.org/Library, Broward County Library Marketing Team, Broward County, FL

Excellence
The redesign and reimagining of Loudoun.gov, Loudoun County Government, Loudoun County, VA

Superior
El Paso County Website Redesign, Public Information & Information Technology, El Paso County, CO

Superior
Document the Floods Crowdsource Application, Broward County Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division, Broward County, FL

Best Facebook Page

Meritorious
Facebook.Com/BrowardCountyLibrary - Broward County Library Facebook Page, Broward County Library Marketing Team, Broward County, FL

Excellence
AAC Facebook, Holland Doran, Association of Arkansas Counties

Excellence
Henrico County Government Facebook Page, Will Jones, Henrico County, VA

Superior
Broward Arts Facebook, Andy Royston, Meredith Clements, Broward County, FL

Best Twitter Feed

Excellence
AAC Twitter Feed, Holland Doran Association of Arkansas Counties

Superior
Los Angeles County Twitter feed @Countyof LA, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles County, CA

Electronic Communications / Email Newsletter to Citizens

Meritorious
NewsFLLash, Broward County Aviation Department, Broward County, FL

Excellence
Broward County Library's eNewsletter, Broward County Library Marketing Team, Broward County, FL

Superior
NDACo Legislative Blog, North Dakota Association of Counties ND Association of Counties

Best of Class (3)

Best of Class: Los Angeles County Twitter feed @Countyof LA, Los Angeles County, CA, Los Angeles County

Best of Class: El Paso County Website Redesign, Public Information & Information Technology, El Paso County, CO

Best of Class: Document the Floods Crowdsource Application, Broward County Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division, Broward County, FL

And please follow us on Facebook and Twitter, both handles are @nacio66

2019 NACo (NACIO) Conference Info

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 16:51:40 GMT

What you need to know

With the 2019 NACo (NACIO) conference just days away, here is a quick run down of what you need to know.

Saturday, July 13

8:30 a.m.: We kick off this year’s conference with a compelling presentation/workshop presented by Dr. Jacque Lambiase from Texas Christian University. Her program, titled Crisis and Renewal Communication: How county leaders can be forward-looking, hopeful, and resilient, uses a case study about Hurricane Harvey as a starting point for discussion focusing on the ways county communicators and other leaders can use a coordinated response to show resiliency and hope when crisis strikes.

Las Vegas Ballroom 3 & 4, Jubilee Tower | Bally's

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: NACIO Board meeting. Please plan to attend as we discuss the organization including sharing ideas for increasing membership and member involvement.

Versailles Ballroom 3 & 4 | Paris

5:00 p.m.: NACIO Awards of Excellence Reception. Help us celebrate this year’s award winners at the Paris Eiffel Tower Restaurant.

Eiffel Tower Restaurant | Paris

Sunday, July 14

9:00 a.m.: NACO Workshop - Making Your Mark with a County Brand

Las Vegas 3 & 4, Jubilee Tower-3rd Fl. | Bally's

Monday, July 15

8:00 a.m.: NACIO Workshop - Telling Your County’s Story When the Media Can’t or Won’t.

Champagne Ballroom 1 | Paris

And please follow us on Facebook and Twitter, both handles are @nacio66

Viva Las Vegas!

Fri, 21 Jun 2019 16:59:27 GMT

2019 NACIO Conference Details Announced

If you haven’t already registered for the 2019 conference in Las Vegas, please do as NACIO has some great speakers lined up for members.

NACIO events will kick off on Saturday, July 13, at 8:30 a.m. with our Professional Development Program featuring Dr. Jacque Lambiase from Texas Christian University. Her program, titled Crisis and Renewal Communication: How county leaders can be forward-looking, hopeful, and resilient, uses a case study about Hurricane Harvey as a starting point for discussion focusing on the ways county communicators and other leaders can use a coordinated response to show resiliency and hope when crisis strikes. What does a discourse of renewal sound like, and how might it serve as a framework for messages and responses during any type of crisis? This interactive workshop will introduce some of the strategies and tactics used by organizations for both internal and external stakeholders, when the going gets tough.

The NACIO Board Meeting will follow Dr. Lambiase’s program from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. And we will wrap up Saturday’s activities with our 2019 Awards of Excellence Reception to be held at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris Hotel starting at 5:00 p.m.

Learning and networking continue on Sunday July 14 with Making Your Mark with a County Brand from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. And be sure to stop by our NACIO table near the exhibition hall on Sunday to pick up some NACIO swag.

The final communications session will be Monday July 15 at 8:00 a.m. with Telling Your County’s Story When the Media Can’t or Won’t.

We can’t wait to meet up with everyone at the conference!

Links you need:

To register for the NACO conference: https://www.naco.org/events/nacos-84th-annual-conference-exposition

To learn more about our guest presenter Dr. Jacque Lambiase from Texas Christian University: https://schieffercollege.tcu.edu/faculty_staff/jacqueline-lambiase/

And please follow us on Facebook and Twitter, both handles are @nacio66

Congratulations!

Fri, 21 Jun 2019 16:58:37 GMT

2019 NACIO Awards of Excellence Winners Announced

This was a great year for the Awards of Excellence competition. With more than 235 entries, the judges had their work cut out for the them. Agencies from 23 different counties and six state associations (representing 19 states) submitted entries for this year's competition. The work being done by county communications professionals is impressive and inspiring!

Winners will be formally recognized at the Awards of Excellence reception July 13 in Las Vegas (learn more about this event at http://www.nacio.org/viva-las-vegas-.aspx). For a list of winners, click here.

Stay tuned to this web site and to our Facebook and Twitter feeds as we highlight the NACIO Conference, the Awards Ceremony and all the winners - including their award-winning entries!

2019 Awards of Excellence Regular Entry Period Begins

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:02:06 GMT

Final deadline for entries is May 10

We are off to a great start with entries for the 2019 Awards of Excellence Competition! If you missed the early-bird entry period, don’t worry. You still have until May 10 to submit your work!

The regular entry period is now open, and entries can be submitted through the "Awards of Excellence" tab on the left. The link to submit entries will take you to our microsite, which explains the categories, rules, etc. Payment for your entry fees should be made through this NACIO site using PayPal: members pay $50.00 per entry and non-members pay $65.00 per entry. Final deadline for entry submission is May 10, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Please remember, entries must have been created between January 1 and December 31, 2018.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the 2019 Awards Chair, Jennifer Finch at jfinch@weldgov.com, and thanks for your interest in this contest, which recognizes the best work by county information officers across the country!

2019 Awards of Excellence now open for entries!

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 17:02:53 GMT

We are pleased to announce the start of the 2019 Awards of Excellence contest. Early-bird entries are now being accepted through the "Awards of Excellence" tab on the left. The link to submit entries will take you to our microsite, which explains the categories, rules, etc. Payment for your entry fees can be made through this site - updated payment info should now be correct.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the 2019 Awards Chair, Jennifer Finch at jfinch@weldgov.com.

Please remember, entries must have been created between January 1 and December 31, 2018. Early-bird entry ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on April 28, 2019 (fees for members are $35 per entry during this time, non-member fees are $50 per entry). Beginning April 29, 2019, fees increase by $15 per entry for both groups.

Thanks for your interest in this contest, which recognizes the best work by county information officers across the country!

2019 Awards of Excellence Call for Entries

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:03:19 GMT

It's time to prep and submit your entries for the 2019 NACIO Awards of Excellence! This national communications competition recognizes the top work from county government communicators across the country. With nine categories and twenty-one subcategories, we're sure you have a communication project ready to impress the judges and compete for national honors.

New this year, the NACIO Board of Directors has decided to award entrants in each category from two population groups: counties with a population of 250,000 or more and counties with a population of less than 250,000, with special recognition given to those works created in-house. This change will allow NACIO to honor the work of even more county communicators while recognizing budget and resource limitations.

Early-Bird Entries will be accepted April 12-April 28, 2019 (deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST). The charge for NACIO members is $35 per entry; the charge for non-NACIO members is $50 per entry.

Standard Entries will be accepted April 29-May 10, 2019 (again, the deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST). The charge for these entries is $50 per enter for NACIO members and $65 per entry for non-NACIO members.

The link to submit entries will be made available April 12 - please check your email and this web site at that time.

Ready to save money on your entries? Join NACIO! Learn more by clicking the "Join Now" tab on the home page.

2019 Awards of Excellence Coming Soon!

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 17:03:54 GMT

The 2019 Awards of Excellence competition is almost here! We will be announcing the deadlines NEXT WEEK via membership email and here on the website. Also, this year, we've got some very exciting news concerning competition changes that will result in even greater recognition for communications professionals than ever before. STAY TUNED!

Video: Best in Show Presentation to Gwinnett County

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 17:05:10 GMT

Click here for the video of the presentation.

Photos from the 2018 NACIO Awards of Excellence

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 17:04:23 GMT

Click here for a link to the photos.

2018 Awards of Excellence Reception Set for July 15

Sat, 14 Jul 2018 17:09:45 GMT

Winners are invited to the 2018 National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Awards of Excellence reception set for 5 p.m. for July 15 at Falls Bar in the Gaylord Opryland hotel in Nashville.

The Awards of Excellence competition is an annual fundraiser for NACIO open to member and nonmembers. This year's contest drew 247 entries.

ABOUT NACIO

The National Association of County Information Officers was formed in 1966 to and brings together communications professionals to share and exchange information with other county public information officers across the United States.

As an active affiliate of the National Association of Counties (NACo), NACIO works to promote the value of professional PIOs to county governments and also to promote a better understanding amongst the general public of the roles and responsibilities of county government.

Award Winners' Press Release Template Now Available

Sat, 14 Jul 2018 17:08:08 GMT

The National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) has made the following press release template available to winners of the Awards of Excellence Competition:

Click here for the template

Powerpoint Now Available From County Communications Challenges Seminar

Sat, 14 Jul 2018 17:06:18 GMT

The National Association of County Information Officers hosted a room of 65 communicators for the 'County Communications Challenges' seminar in Nashville this morning. The powerpoint from the seminar can be found here.

More details about the NACIO schedule can be found here.