2023 WSPRA Fall Conference

Start
22-Oct-2023
1:00 PM
End
23-Oct-2023
4:00 PM
Location
Skamania Lodge; 1131 SW Skamania Lodge Way, Stevenson, WA 98648
Spaces left
12

Registration

Member Registration – $185.00
Nonmember Registration – $205.00
Sponsor Registration
WSPRA Board Member
WSPRA conference speaker
WSPRA Student – $90.00

Registration is closed

Registration is now open for the 2023 WSPRA Fall Conference in Stevenson, Washington at Skamania Lodge!

The agenda will be packed with interactive sessions and engaging speakers.

Agenda (see below)
Hotel Accommodations - Skamania Lodge (Link to Book Rooms at Special Group Rate) If you call to make a reservation, use code 1YR81Z.
Networking Happy Hour and Banquet Dinner (Sunday evening)

Agenda

Sunday, October 22

11:00 am - 5:00 pm: Registration and Check-In
1:00 - 1:30 pm: Welcome
1:30 - 2:30 pm: Learning Session 1: Growing the Team of One. Presenter: NSPRA President Trent Allen, APR, San Juan Unified School District (Carmichael, CA)
2:45 - 3:45 pm: Learning Session 2: Profile Like an FBI Agent: Five Psychological Concepts that Maximizes Audience Engagement. Presenter: Sondra Whalen, Vernon Verona Sherrill Central Schools (Verona, NY)
4:00 - 5:00 pm: Learning Session 3: What to Say When You Can't Say Much. Presenter, J. Marie, J. Marie & Associates
5:30 - 6:30 pm: No Host Happy Hour
6:30 - 8:00 pm: Banquet and NSPRA Seattle Preview (included in registration)

Monday, October 23

8:00 - 9:00 am: Breakfast (included in registration)
9:00 - 9:15 am: Welcome
9:15 - 10:15 am: Learning Session 4: The One Where We Make FRIENDS with A.I. Rebecca Bultsma, Westwind School Division (Alberta, Canada)
10:30 - 11:30 am: Learning Session 5: Guidance for School Districts in Elections and Campaigns. Colin Peeples and Phil Stutzman, WA State Public Disclosure Commission.
11:30 am - 1:00 pm: Lunch (included in registration)
1:00 - 2:00 pm: Learning Session 6 (breakout sessions)
2:15 - 3:15 pm: Learning Session 7 (Platinum Sponsors' breakout sessions)
3:15 - 3:30 pm: Closing

Full Agenda with Presentation Descriptions

Sunday, October 22

11:00 am - 5:00 pm: Registration

1:00 - 1:30 pm: Welcome

1:30 - 2:30 pm:
Growing the Team of One
Presenter: NSPRA President Trent Allen, APR, San Juan Unified School District (Carmichael, CA)
Schools are great because educators are naturally so collaborative. But the school communicator can feel like the odd person out when we’re often a team of one in our organizations. NSPRA President Trent Allen, APR is fortunate to have a great team now, but spent much of his early career as a single person shop. This session will offer insights on how to be an effective team of one, offer an opportunity to build our personal brand identifies to help tell our professional story in our organization no matter the size of our team and offer a peek into strategies that can be used to help other see the need to grow your team in creative ways.

2:45 - 3:45 pm:
Profile Like an FBI Agent: Five Psychological Concepts that Maximizes Audience Engagement
Presenter: Sondra Whalen, Vernon Verona Sherrill Central Schools (Verona, NY)
You know the art of communication, but do you know the cognitive psychology behind the concepts? Increase your PR expertise by learning the science of communicating and forging true connections with your audience. Attendees will walk away with the knowledge to sharpen their messaging, overcome invisible cognitive barriers, speak with authority on best practices, and incorporate psychological considerations into their strategic communications.

4:00 - 5:00 pm:
What to Say When You Can't Say Much
Presenter, J. Marie, J. Marie & Associates
When hot topics catch your community's attention–disciplinary action, legal issues, labor/management conflict–one of the hardest parts is figuring out what to say when you can't say much. "No comment" just won't do, but what can you say?

Veteran school communications strategist, J.Marie, will walk us through her tried and true approach to engaging the community appropriately and respectfully around these kinds of difficult issues. She'll also share key ideas and talking points you can share with your district leadership team so everyone can approach the issue consistently and appropriately ... and so nobody feels caught off guard in the produce aisle by community curiosity about the topic du jour.

5:30 - 6:30 pm: No Host Happy Hour

6:30 - 8:00 pm: Banquet and NSPRA Seattle Preview (included in registration)

Monday, October 23

8:00 - 9:00 am: Breakfast (included in registration)

9:00 - 9:15 am: Welcome

9:15 - 10:15 am:
The One Where We Make FRIENDS with A.I. Rebecca Bultsma, Westwind School Division (Alberta, Canada)
Are you ready to PIVOT your communications strategies for maximum efficiency and impact? In this session, we'll demystify the basics of AI, cover how to master advanced prompting techniques for optimized results, harness AI for insightful data analysis, and spend time on the fundamentals of generating AI-driven images, all while keeping ethical considerations in the foreground. Through practical strategies, relatable examples, and live demos, you'll leave this session equipped with actionable insights, empowering you to elevate your professional impact with AI—irrespective of your current level of expertise! Could we BE any more excited?

10:30 - 11:30 am:
Guidance for School Districts in Elections and Campaigns Colin Peeples and Phil Stutzman, WA State Public Disclosure Commission
Looking for guidance as you communicate about school district ballot propositions? This session is intended to help school districts understand the laws, rules, and guidelines pertaining to the use of school district resources in elections and campaigns. Public Disclosure Commission staff will address general principles, what is normally permitted and not permitted under existing laws and rules, and where to find more information.

11:30 am - 1:00 pm: Lunch (included in registration)

1:00 - 2:00 pm: Breakout Sessions

Two-way Mentorships: Cultivating Connections for Growth
Presenters: Catherine Carbone Rogers and Tove Tupper, Highline Public School (Des Moines, WA)
A strong mentorship relationship can support professional growth for both parties. Learn about the mutual benefits of a mentorship and get tips for making the most of your partnership.

Differentiating Communications and Engagement for Equity: A 3-Tiered Approach
Presenter: Kirsten Fitterer, Yakima School District (Yakima, WA)
This one-hour presentation explores a 3-Tiered Approach to communications and engagement with families in educational settings. This session aims to enhance inclusivity and participation, particularly focusing on equity. Key takeaways will include universal communication, targeted engagement and intensive support. By the end of the session, attendees will have gained a comprehensive understanding of how to adapt their communication and engagement strategies to meet the needs of diverse families.

2:15 - 3:15 pm: Platinum Plus Sponsors’ Breakout Session

Unique Ways to Engage and Involve All Families: Insights from District Leaders Across Washington Presenters and Panelists: Valerie Wilson, ParentSquare; Diane Bradford, Mukilteo School District; Robyn Chastain, Kennewick School District; Sarah Foy, Oak Harbor School District; Susan Gifford, Olympia School District; Mary Kay Larson, Lake Oswego School District (OR); and Elle Warmuth, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District.
What are district leaders across Washington doing to ensure that they engage families and build community? During this session, district leaders will share their strategies for ensuring that families are not only receiving information, but also engaging with it. We’ll hear their stories and experiences about how to build more vibrant, involved communities. Attendees will leave with ideas for building engagement in their classrooms, school, district, and greater community.

3:15 - 3:30 pm: Closing

Thank you to our sponsors!

Platinum Plus Sponsors

ParentSquare