Note: in some cases, we elected to link to long handouts rather than print out copies for everyone. The resources we link to are linked because they won't be used during the sessions. Rather, they serve as resources for further study.
If you're not a fan of our paper saving efforts, let us know.
March 26, 2007
6:00pm - 7:00pm Dinner
7:00 pm - 7:30pm Welcome, intros
7:30pm - 8:45pm What's possible with communications tech and practice
This session will get COaTI started with a review of some compelling uses of communications technologies
March 27, 2007
7:30am - 8:30am Breakfast
9:00am - 9:25am Agenda Review
9:25am - 9:30am Logistics for the space and day
9:30am - 10:15am Context for Communications
Communications plays an important role in our work. This session will explore how communications fits into and is integrated within our broader organizational goals.
10:15am - 11:30am Coalition of Immokalee Workers Case study
Just over two years ago, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers won a huge victory when Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell agreed to meet all of the Coalition’s demands (for better pay and working conditions amongst other things) if the Coalition would end its 4 year boycott of Taco Bell. Through this case study, we’ll learn about the role communications and technology played in the this campaign.
11:30am - 12:00pm Buddy Check-in time
Once again, you’ll have some time to check-in with your COaTI buddy.
12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm - 1:45pm Design in General
We’ll start the afternoon by reviewing some general design lessons that apply across the board.
Resources:
The Basics of Graphic Design is our model for this session. There is a lot here, so we didn't print it all out as a handout, but if you're looking for a good general reference on graphic design basics, this is a good place to start.
1:45pm - 2:45pm Design lessons applied - group website critique
In this session, we’ll learn a few more design rules particular to websites, and then apply everything we know about design and communication through a website critique process
2:45pm - 3:00pm Break
3:00pm - 4:00pm Bare Bones graphics tools - what you can do with Word and Publisher
You don’t need fancy and expensive equipment to produce good looking print materials. This session will show you some basics on how to use Word and Publisher to produce an attractive product.
4:00pm - 5:00pm Concurrent sessions
Session One: Advanced graphics tools - what's possible and what it will cost
In this session, we’ll look at the more advanced graphics tools out there, and give you a sense of their strengths, weakness, costs, and learning curve. If you think you’ve got needs that go beyond Word and Publisher, but you’re not sure what software to use, this is the session for you.
Session Two: Open Space:
If you’re not interested in more advanced graphics tools, and we suspect that some of you aren’t, you’re free to use this time in whatever way you’d like – process what we’ve covered so far, caucus with other COaTI folks or people from your organization, or pull one of the trainers aside for some deeper Q&A.
5:00pm - 5:30pm Evaluation of Day
6:00pm - 7:00pm Dinner
7:30pm - 9:00pm Hack-a-thon
This is where to bring your tech questions that don’t seem to fit anywhere else.
March 28, 2007
7:30am - 8:30am Breakfast
9:00am - 9:10am Logistics for day/departure
9:10am - 10:45am Concurrent sessions:
Session one: Understanding how your website works, and how to make it work for you
This session is designed to provide you with an understanding of the website implementation process as well as grounding in the basic elements of a website. It will also cover the basics of HTML – the language websites are written in.
Session two: Liberate your data with Data Merge!
Is your data crying to be released from the confines of your database? Do you need to print labels, phone sheets, walk sheets, or donation appeals? Come to this session to learn how data merge can help free your database so you can put it to use.
10:45am - 11:00am Break
11:00 - 12:00 Concurrent sessions:
Session one: Hands-on with web tools
This session will provide an opportunity to get a first-hand look at how different website management tools work, as well as their relative strengths and weaknesses.
Session two: integrating communications strategy in your organization
If you’re interested in looking more deeply at how communications works in your organization, this workshop-style session is for you.
12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm - 2:00pm Identifying good TA
In this session, we’ll look at the question of how to evaluate a technical assistance provider to make sure that you get what you want and are happy with the relationship.
2:00pm - 2:45pm COaTI class project presentation
The COaTI project participants will show us the presentation they’ve created and share their experiences working on this project.
2:45pm - 4:00pm Concurrent sessions
Session one: Organizing and Technology Workshop
We’ll spend some time checking in about the progress of your COaTI technology project.
Session two: Tools for internal communication:
So far, we’ve talked about external communication. This session explores some of the available tools to help your organization communicate better internally. In this session, we’ll look at calendar sharing, instant messaging and audio/video conferencing, project management/tracking tools, and more.
4:00pm - 4:15pm Closing, Evaluations
4:15pm - Depart