April 27, 2023 – Registrations for the nationwide Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) Institute in Portland, Maine, are due May 12. The event is geared toward providing communicators in the cooperative-business model educational and networking opportunities. Agenda and registration information can be found at www.communicators.coop.
“Set along the beautiful shores of Casco Bay, Portland, Maine, the location for this year’s annual institute combines convenience, entertainment, and beauty to create the perfect environment for the CCA family,” said CCA Institute Co-Chair Cliff Dolbeare, GROWMARK, Inc.
Playwright and Georgetown professor, Michael Long, is offering a pre-institute storytelling workshop on Sunday, June 4, from 1-4 p.m. “Storytelling is the most powerful tool in the arsenal of communications, but writing stories can seem like guesswork, and the word ‘story’ means different things to different people,” said Long. In this interactive seminar, Long reveals the system used by Hollywood screenwriters to craft stories – from 90 seconds to 90 minutes – that are compelling to every audience. Then on Monday, June 5, Long will kick off institute with the keynote address.
“We have many great speakers on the agenda to put a spotlight on communication,” noted Dolbeare. “General sessions will cover crisis communication, communication’s role in developing a company’s culture, and how communicators can influence employee hiring and retention. Breakout sessions will provide insight on a variety of technical skills, such as photography, videography, and digital-marketing strategies.”
CCA exists to improve the effectiveness of all cooperative communicators; advance professional standards and exchange facts, research, techniques, and opinions among cooperative communicators; and conduct an annual institute and other programs suitable to meeting the purpose of the association. Board members for the 2022-2023 business year, and their home cooperatives: Candace Croft, president, West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Graceville, Fla.; Michelle Geans, vice president, Baldwin EMC, Summerdale, Ala.; Cliff Dolbeare, secretary-treasurer, GROWMARK, Inc., Bloomington, Ill.; Adam Buckallew, MFA Oil Company, Columbia, Mo.; Kelly Jimenez, Carroll EMC, Carrollton, Ga.; Jennie Lacey, Flint Energies, Warner Robins, Ga.; Dori Lichty, CentralStar Cooperative, Waupun, Wis.; Anne Moore, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Green Bay, Wis.; and Brianna Wall, Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Norman, Okla. Visit www.communicators.coop for more information.
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Photo: Emanuel DeHerrera, Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc., Guymon, Okla., gives a hands-on breakout session on live streaming at the 2022 CCA Institute in Santa Fe, N.M.
