Power Skills Workshops

Purpose and Background:

Most people are not as good at communicating as they think they are. Becoming a successful communicator requires developing listening skills, expressing empathy, reading nonverbal cues, and crafting messages that catch and hold other people's attention, as well as building buy-in for ideas. This course will give an overview of these different factors and provide some skills and strategies to improve effective communication.

Learning Outcomes:

• Through facilitated discussions and small group exercises, participants will grow their understanding of the different facets of communication.
• Participants will learn practical skills to communicate so that the listener attends, understands, and buys-in to the idea or purpose being conveyed. We will practice the skills through facilitated discussions, written exercises, and small-group discussions, and role-play exercises.

Program Benefits:

• Improve your listening skills.
• Enhance two-way communication and mutual respect.
• Understand and use empathy as both an emotional and intellectual concept.
• Grow your awareness and understanding of body language-what people are saying without uttering a word and understand the messages you are sending to others.
• Understand language filters and how to get through them to reach people.
• Crafting a message that catches and holds peoples' attention.
• Verbal skills, written skills, and graphic skills that improve message delivery.
• Building buy-in for our ideas and moving people into action.

Program Outline: 

Introduction

• Lecture & Facilitated Discussion

What communication problems have you seen?

• Breakout exercise

What motivates people and how they listen

• Lecture

What can other people say to get and hold our attention?
What is the best way to craft a message to us?

• Breakout exercise

Verbal report from each group

• Facilitated Discussion

Morning Break

Are You a 100% Listener?

• Written Assessment

Improving our Listening Skills

• Lecture

Action Plan: Improving Listening Skills

• Written

How To Understand Body Language

• Lecture

Different Meanings Words Have for Different People

• Lecture

Example of the Translator

• Written & Facilitated Discussion

Lunch

Throwing the Communication Pass

• Facilitated Discussion

Messages that Inspire

• Video

Craft a Message that Resonates with Others

• Written

Afternoon Break

Present a Message that Resonates with Others

• Role Play

What You Learned and Key Takeaways from Session

• Facilitated Discussion

Evaluations

Purpose and Background

"Is ASCE allowed to lobby legislators?" "How do I invite an elected official to my Section meeting?"

Learn the answers to these and many more questions on how your Region, Section, or Branch can better influence policy debates. This day-long, in-depth program will help guide your Section or Branch to expand ASCE's government relations presence at the local and state levels. Hear first-hand from a lobbyist, lawmaker, or other in-state practitioner about how government relations work is undertaken at your state capitol. * This program may also be combined with Public Relations University to provide further emphasis on communications skills.

*Guest speaker selection/invitations will be made with the Section/Branch requesting the training as we recognize there may be existing ties to state and local government officials.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this training, participants will be able to:

• identify ASCE's Legislative Priorities and the resources available to advance the Society's position
• determine the best method to communicate with policymakers to achieve a desired outcome
• build a persuasive narrative to influence lawmakers - storytelling for advocacy
• apply basic lobbying/advocacy strategies to elevate the Society's position
• elevate the importance of public policy at the Region, Section, Branch level
• follow and communicate ASCE's government relations protocol.

Program Outline - In-Person

Welcome and Introductions (may occur during network breakfast)

Political Capital

• This interactive session will give participants the opportunity to think through the process of convincing lawmakers to pass a piece of legislation. A four-week simulation of what it's like to be a Government Relations practitioner will help lay the foundation for the day's discussion and provide a quick overview of many of ASCE's tools and resources.

Overview of ASCE Government Relations

Morning break could occur during or prior to this session.

• Learn why ASCE has a Government Relations Department and how they help the Society advance its legislative priorities.
• Learn why member engagement is important to the legislative process.

Introduction to Priority Issues & Report Card

• Learn how policy statements are developed.
• Learn about ASCE's Priority Issues Survey and the role it plays in guiding ASCE's focus at the state and federal levels of government.
• Learn how the Report Card informs ASCE's advocacy efforts at each level of government.

Overview of Tools & Resources

• Learn what resources ASCE'S Government Relations & Infrastructure Initiatives has made available to facilitate your Section's/Branch's public policy success.

A lunch/meal break can be taken between these sessions as appropriate.

Policy Scenarios

• Work in small groups or independently to devise a legislative strategy using the tools and techniques identifying up to this point.
• Serve as a review of the content and begin to introduce media as tool.

Role of Media in Government Relations

• Learn how to effectively reach policymakers and the public at large through the media. This module can also be replaced or supplemented by Public Relations University content.

Meeting with Policymakers

• Learn the "anatomy of a meeting" and what to expect with taking a meeting with a lawmaker or staff.

Role Play - Mock Meeting Scenarios

• In small groups or pairs, practice presenting to a scenario to lawmaker. As time permits, small groups/pair will be called to present to the larger session.
• Participants may be given scenarios at random or scenarios may be drawn from National or State Report Card content.
• Goal of this exercise is to build confidence in meetings.

Reviewing Your Toolkit & Key Takeaways

• The day will conclude with a review the content presented and members will be given the opportunity to assess the skills they've development and their familiarity with the tool/resources they can access via Government Relations Staff.

Program Outline - Online
Duration: 60-90 minutes

Welcome and Review of Agenda

Overview of ASCE Government Relations

• Learn why ASCE has a Government Relations Department and how they help the Society advance its legislative priorities.
• Learn why member engagement is important to the legislative process.

Introduction to Priority Issues & Report Card

• Learn how policy statements are developed.
• Learn about ASCE's Priority Issues Survey and the role it plays in guiding ASCE's focus at the state and federal levels of government.
• Learn how the Report Card informs ASCE's advocacy efforts at each level of government.

Overview of Tools & Resources

• Learn what resources ASCE'S Government Relations & Infrastructure Initiatives has made available to facilitate your Section's/Branch's public policy success.
• Includes brief explanation of how ASCE's Public Relations Team can help you leverage the media.

Meeting with Policymakers
(recommended prior to State Report Card Releases and Legislative Days

• Learn the "anatomy of a meeting" and what to expect with taking a meeting with a lawmaker or staff.

Open Q&A

• While we do our best to take questions throughout to make the online session more interactive, reserve 10-15 minutes at the conclusion of the program to take open-ended questions about the content program.

Purpose and Background

This program combines Government Relations and Public Relations University training modules into a half-day or daylong, interactive workshop. Learn how to elevate or expand your Section or Branch's public policy presence at the local and state levels through the use of ASCE's tools and resources. Receive an introduction to public relations and a how-to for working with the media. The training prepares ASCE members to successfully promote the profession to the media by covering topics including: public affairs; the importance of messaging; how to interview with a reporter; and the principles of communication. Hear firsthand from a journalist on how to ensure your message is included in the busy news cycle and/or hear from a lobbyist, lawmaker or other in-state practitioner about the legislative process.*

*Guest speaker selection/invitations will be made with the Section/Branch requesting the training, as we recognize there may be existing ties to state and local government officials.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this training, participants will be able to:

• identify ASCE's Legislative Priorities and the resources available to advance the Society's position.
• determine the best method to communicate with policymakers to achieve a desired outcome.
• build a persuasive narrative to influence lawmakers - storytelling for advocacy.
• apply basic lobbying/advocacy strategies to elevate the Society's position.
• elevate the importance of public policy at the Region, Section, Branch level.
• follow and communicate ASCE's government relations protocol.
• identify when an event/activity is newsworthy and how to champion it to news sources.
• engage a reporter with confidence to deliver ASCE's message clearly and concisely regardless of media type (news release, OpEd or Letter to the Editor, interview, etc.).
• use the basic principles of communication to successfully promote the profession and speak on behalf of our infrastructure needs.
• follow and communicate ASCE's media relations protocol.

Program Outline - In-Person

Welcome and Introductions (may occur during network breakfast)

Political Capital

• This interactive session will give participants the opportunity to think through the process of convincing lawmakers to pass a piece of legislation. A four-week simulation of what it's like to be a Government Relations practitioner will help lay the foundation for the day's discussion and provide a quick overview of many of ASCE's tools and resources.

Overview of ASCE Government Relations

Morning break could occur during or prior to this session.

• Learn why ASCE has a Government Relations Department and how they help the Society advance its legislative priorities.
• Learn why member engagement is important to the legislative process.
• Learn basic background on policy statement and priority issues development as well as how each informs ASCE's legislative focus.
• Learn how the Report Card and related resources inform ASCE's advocacy efforts at each level of government.

Defining ASCE's Role in Public Relations

• Establish a common understanding of "public relations" as a field of practice.
• Identify ASCE's Mission, brand, and relationship with the Media.
• Understand the audience's knowledge/perception of civil engineers.
• Small/Large Group Activity: Policy Scenarios
  • Work in small groups or independently to devise a legislative strategy using the tools and techniques identifying up to this point.
  • Serve as a review of the content and begin to introduce media as tool.

Lunch Break (possible guest speaker)

Communications 101

• Learn what is news and newsworthy.
• Learn what to do when a reporter contacts you (ASCE's media relations protocol).
• View "Reporters are People Too" video and engage in group exercise to determine which scenarios are newsworthy and how to effectively promote them.
• Learn the types of media you can access and draw a distinction between traditional and non-traditional media forms.
• Learn basic principles of effective communication-including how to defend your message.
  • Practice "Rolodex your Message" group exercise and/or how to write a news release.
  • Participate in small group or pairs "mock interviews" to overcome stage fright and learn to stay on message. Group members will take turns interviewing (and recording) each other for play back at the conclusion of the exercise.

How to Meet with a Legislator

• Build on the basic communications skill developed during the previous module and learn to use them effectively with policymakers.
• Learn the "anatomy of a meeting" and what to expect with taking a meeting with a lawmaker or staff.
• Small Group Activity: Mock Meeting Scenarios
  • In small groups or pairs, practice presenting to a scenario to lawmaker. A time permits small groups/pair will be called to present to the larger session.
  • Participants may be given scenarios at random or scenarios may be drawn from National or State Report Card content.
  • Goal of this exercise is to build confidence in meetings.

Wrap Up & Key Takeaways

• The day will conclude with a review of the content presented and members will be given the opportunity to assess the skills they have developed and their familiarity with the tool/resources they can access via ASCE Government Relations & Media Relations Staff.

Program Outline - Online
Duration up to two 1.5-2 hour blocks depending on desired level of interactivity.

Overview of ASCE Government Relations

• Learn why ASCE has a Government Relations Department and how they help the Society advance its legislative priorities.
• Learn why member engagement is important to the legislative process.
• Learn basic background on policy statement and priority issues development as well as how each informs ASCE's legislative focus.
• Learn how the Report Card and related resources inform ASCE's advocacy efforts at each level of government.

Defining ASCE's Role in Public Relations

• Establish a common understanding of "public relations" as a field of practice.
• Identify ASCE's Mission, brand, and relationship with the Media.
• Understand the audience's knowledge/perception of civil engineers.
• Small/Large Group Activity: Policy Scenarios
  • Work in small groups or independently to devise a legislative strategy using the tools and techniques identifying up to this point.
  • Serve as a review of the content and begin to introduce media as tool.

Communications 101

• Learn what is news and newsworthy.
• Learn what to do when a reporter contacts you (ASCE's media relations protocol).
• View "Reporters are People Too" video and engage in group exercise to determine which scenarios are newsworthy and how to effectively promote them.
• Learn the types of media you can access and draw a distinction between traditional and non-traditional media forms.
• Learn basic principles of effective communication-including how to defend your message.

How to Meet with a Legislator

• Build on the basic communications skill developed during the previous module and learn to use them effectively with policymakers.
• Learn the "anatomy of a meeting" and what to expect with taking a meeting with a lawmaker or staff.

Wrap Up & Key Takeaways

• The day will conclude with a review of the content presented and members will be given the opportunity to assess the skills they have developed and their familiarity with the tool/resources they can access via ASCE Government Relations & Media Relations Staff.

Purpose and Background:

Why does my organization struggle to attract and retain engineers from diverse backgrounds? How can I contribute to and foster an inclusive workplace climate? How do societal inequities impact engineering education and practice?

If you have ever asked these questions, this training will provide you with a starting point for answering them. It includes a series of thought-provoking interactive sessions that are designed to challenge the status quo, promote introspection, and inspire and motivate change.

The sessions are based on three fundamental principles:

1. diversity cannot be achieved and sustained without equity, inclusion, and justice;
2. strategies for improving justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion must address systemic barriers in order to be effective; and
3. fostering an inclusive workplace climate and culture is everyone's responsibility, not just that of persons from marginalized identities.

Each session will include practical examples that cover multiple and intersectional identities including race, ethnicity, (dis)ability, gender, class, age, and sexual orientation and will illuminate strategies for participants to become change agents in their organizations.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing this training, participants will be able to:

• differentiate among justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• identify attitudes and behaviors that are counter to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• engage in behaviors that contribute to a just, equitable, and inclusive workplace climate;
• recognize biases - explicit and implicit, positive and negative - and their impacts on workplace
• climate and culture; and
• apply principles of equity and inclusion to ethical decision making.

Program Outline: 

Introduction

• Basics of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• The Engineer's Role and Why It Matters
• Format: Brief talks with concept map exercise

Morning Break (During Climate Change Part I)

Climate Change: Identifying and Overcoming Factors that Hinder Workplace Inclusion - Part I

• Climate Factors
• Social Networks
• Recruitment and Hiring
• Format: Brief talks with facilitated discussions and small group exercises

Lunch

Climate Change: Identifying and Overcoming Factors that Hinder Workplace Inclusion - Part II

• Advancement and Pay
• Inclusive Communication
• External Stressors and Societal Inequities
• Format: Brief talks with facilitated discussions and small group exercises

Afternoon Break

Ethics: Do the Right Thing

• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as a Matter of Ethics
• Equitable Stakeholder Engagement
• Case study with role play exercise

5 Ways to Maintain the Status Quo in Your Organization (and Actionable Strategies to Effect Change)

• Wrap Session and Evaluation

Purpose and Background:

"Integrity is doing the right thing, even if no one is watching." - Jim Stovall

Integrity is something that most leaders value, but many do not realize that some of their own actions may undermine their integrity in the eyes of their coworkers and clients. This session will grow the awareness of the different types of integrity and help participants grow their own integrity in these areas. Leaders who consistently "walk the walk" and model high integrity behavior with staff and clients develop higher levels of mutual trust and mutual respect, improve communication, improve morale and retention, generate higher levels of client satisfaction and more repeat business… and they can still look themselves in the eye in the mirror each morning.

This session also will provide a foundation for improving the integrity of staff, will include some methods for dealing with integrity issues in staff, clients, subcontractors, and others, and will discuss the consequences that can arise if integrity issues are not proactively addressed. Generational differences in perceptions of what qualifies as high integrity behavior will also be addressed. Participants should come away with a stronger understanding of the different facets of integrity, as well as practical.

Learning Outcomes:

• Through facilitated discussions and small group exercises, you will grow your understanding of the different facets of integrity and how you are perceived by staff and clients.
• Use practical skills to grow your own integrity and the integrity of your team members through facilitated discussions and small-group role play exercises.

Program Benefits:

• Improve your standing as a high integrity leader
• Grow the integrity of your team members
• Enhance your understanding of the different facets of integrity and how you are seen by others
• Learn practical skills for dealing with low integrity in staff and clients
• Improve your judgement by strengthening all facets of your integrity
• Understand what "high integrity" means to different generations
• Enhance two-way communication and mutual respect

Program Outline: 

Introduction: What Do We Mean by "Integrity?"

• Facilitated Discussion

Examples and Cautionary Tales

• Small Group Discussion

Consequences of Low Integrity

• Small Group Exercise

Morning Break

Relationship Between Integrity and Good Judgment

• Facilitated Discussion

Generational Differences: Boomers, Gen X, Millennials

• Small Group Exercise

Lunch

Growing Your Own Integrity:

• Walking the Walk
• Choosing Your Words
• Showing Respect That Earns Respect from Others

Afternoon Break

Dealing with Low Integrity in Others

• Facilitated Discussion

Growing the Integrity of Your Staff

• Small Group Exercise

Recap and Concluding Remarks

Purpose and Background

Public Relations University offers Sections and Branches a daylong, interactive workshop as an introduction to public relations and a how-to for working with the media. The training prepares ASCE members to successfully promote the profession to the media by covering topics including: public affairs; the importance of messaging; how to interview with a reporter; and the principles of communication. Hear firsthand from a journalist on how to ensure your message is included in the busy news cycle.* This program may also be combined with Government Relations University to provide further emphasis on how to use communications skills with policymakers at all levels of government. This program may be a whole or half-day training.

*Guest speaker selection/invitations will be made with the Section/Branch requesting the training, as we recognize there may be existing ties to state and local government officials.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this training, participants will be able to:

• identify when an event/activity is newsworthy and how to champion it to news sources.
• engage a reporter with confidence to deliver ASCE's message clearly and concisely regardless of media type (news release, OpEd or Letter to the Editor, interview, etc.).
• use the basic principles of communication to successfully promote the profession and speak on behalf of our infrastructure needs.
• follow and communicate ASCE's media relations protocol.

Program Outline - In-Person

Welcome and Introductions (may occur during network breakfast)

Defining ASCE's Role in Public Relations

• Establish a common understanding of "public relations" as a field of practice.
• Identify ASCE's Mission, brand, and relationship with the Media.
• Understand the audience's knowledge/perception of civil engineers.

Morning break

How the Media Works

• Learn what is news and newsworthy.
• Learn what to do when a reporter contacts you (ASCE's media relations protocol).
• View "Reporters are People Too" video and engage in group exercise to determine which scenarios are newsworthy and how to effectively promote them.

How to Leverage the Media

• Learn the types of media you can access.
• Learn what you can do via various traditional and non-traditional media forms.
• Learn other components to media relations/public affairs.

A lunch/meal break can be taken between these sessions as appropriate.

Communications Strategies and Tactics

• Learn basic principles of effective communication
  • Practice "Rolodex your Message" group exercise and/or how to write a news release.
• Learn how to defend your message without sounding defensive and make your talking points "stick"
  • Participate in small group or pairs "mock interviews" to overcome stage fright and learn to stay on message. Group members will take turns interviewing (and recording) each other for play back at the conclusion of the exercise.
• Learn how to engage members of the media - reinforcement of ASCE's media protocol.

Wrap Up & Key Takeaways

• The day will conclude with a review of the content presented and members will be given the opportunity to assess the skills they have developed and their familiarity with the tool/resources they can access via ASCE Media Relations Staff.

Program Outline - Online
Duration: 60-90 minutes

Welcome and Introductions

Defining ASCE's Role in Public Relations

• Establish a common understanding of "public relations" as a field of practice.
• Identify ASCE's Mission, brand, and relationship with the Media.
• Understand the audience's knowledge/perception of civil engineers.

How the Media Works

• Learn what is news and newsworthy.
• Learn what to do when a reporter contacts you (ASCE's media relations protocol).
• View "Reporters are People Too" video and engage in group exercise to determine which scenarios are newsworthy and how to effectively promote them.

How to Leverage the Media

• Learn the types of media you can access.
• Learn what you can do via various traditional and non-traditional media forms.
• Learn other components to media relations/public affairs.

Communications Strategies and Tactics

• Learn basic principles of effective communication.
• Learn how to defend your message without sounding defensive and make your talking points "stick."
• Learn how to engage members of the media - reinforcement of ASCE's media protocol.

Wrap Up & Key Takeaways

• The day will conclude with a review of the content presented and members will be given the opportunity to assess the skills they have developed and their familiarity with the tool/resources they can access via ASCE Media Relations Staff.