JPW Communications

02/14/2025

We 🩷 PIOs and government communicators, and in light of the emergency wildfire response across California, we are especially thankful for everyone working 24/7 behind the scenes to keep the community and media outlets informed.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we have a list of three sweet nothings we think every PIO deserves to hear — every day, not just today.

Click the link to read out blog post: https://lnkd.in/g4ZeZxc9

10/02/2024

Happy Wednesday from JPW’s very own Enid Sinclair and Wednesday Addams (our Senior Managers Courtney Pittam and Baylee Akins), who were on theme right down to the nails and earrings. While they coordinated this to celebrate the start of spooky season, their natural juxtaposition of styles, personalities and interests are so spot on to this famous duo that this could have been a snapshot from any other month in the year (and if you’ve seen them interact, you know what we mean!). It’s in the small silly moments like these where we’re reminded to celebrate what makes us different and not be afraid to have a little fun. 🎃 👻

09/04/2024

This month, we're extending very well-deserved kudos to JPW partner, the City of San Luis Obispo Government, on their award-winning Public Engagement and Noticing (PEN) Manual.

📘✨ It is truly a thing of beauty -- providing clarity and guidance for their internal staff on how and when to engage external audiences on key agency decisions.

Let's face it. Public engagement isn't cut and dry. SLO's PEN manual is designed to empower internal staff to effectively engage external audiences citywide, and in the process build trust, foster stronger relationships with the community, and improve outcomes and policy decisions.

Thank you, SLO, for setting the standard for in local government.

Know other agencies who've prepared similar policies or guidelines? We'd love to follow them, so please drop a link in the comments.

08/30/2024

At , we know the drill. Many members of our team have served as city PIOs before and have put on countless public meetings. Everything from having your public meeting pants ready ( ) to prepping talking points for speakers (who may or may not ever read them), we've included a list of helpful tips to get your public meeting game face on:

👋 + ☕️ Courage and coffee: Nothing goes over quite as well as a good cup of coffee. Whether it's for yourself or poured for meeting goers, caffeine is a must.

🧑‍💻 + 🎤 AV run through: Pro tip: Always bring a laptop adaptor, and never assume that wifi will work. Backup plans, extra cords and batteries, USB drives and paper copies will be your friend when the inevitable tech issue comes up.

💭 + 📢 Non-update updates: When things are being finalized behind the scenes, it's helpful to have "non-update" updates in the can before a public meeting. The trick is to share what info you do have, without overpromising. Example to give at a community meeting for a construction project with a timeline that's dragging on (and on): "The timeline is still being confirmed, but we do know that the project team appreciates the sense of urgency to get the project done right."

🖊 + 🗒 Successful meeting design: We design our meetings strategically so they go smoothly. Things to think about include: meeting objective (to inform or gather input), timeline, format (public hearing, open house, facilitated discussions), speakers and talking points, logistics, materials needed, and roles and responsibilities for team members.

Do you have any public meeting tips? Let us know below!

08/29/2024

At JPW, we’re big fans of The Table Group and Author Patrick Lencioni, team dynamics extraordinaire.✨ His latest assessment tool and book about the 6 types of working genius have given us a-ha moments and a new shorthand to communicate with each other. If you’re familiar with this test, you’ll understand the references below. ⬇️

✅ You know that feeling when you’re trying to land the proverbial plane and a “T” steps up to get the job done?

🛩 Or when you’re in a discovery session with a client and a “W” asks all the right questions to keep you at 30,000 feet for a while?

📣 Let’s not forget about the ever-so appreciated “G,” who's ready to rally the troops and energize the team at any given moment.

We may be speaking in letters and gauging what "altitude of work" we’re at, but we must say, it sure has made the process fun and increased our overall team culture and productivity.

🧐 Want to know what your letters are? Click this link to take the assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-5y1BhC-ARIsAAM_oKkbpVc6SVFLgCpOKR8x0IwHlWJJiEUPcKJTlZcrCBK9b16G3YkyS7AaAtB2EALw_wcB

Bonus Option 1: Check out this podcast that explains what each letter means: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXILDDC11is

Bonus Option 2: trick Lencioni shares how to determine your letter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iscwJh9Cugk

08/26/2024

🚢 Captain's Log: Jenny recently facilitated two incredible panels at the 2024 Port Administrators Conference in Miami. The first panel, focused on social media, featured insightful contributions from experts Lisa Hinojosa from the Port of Corpus Christi and Joy Oglesby from the Port Everglades while the second panel focused on telling your port's story, with the talented Angelina Chauvin Vicknair from Plaquemines Port and Matthew Wenham from the The Port of Cleveland.

We are so proud to be part of the American Association of Port Authorities community, seizing amazing opportunities to engage with top leaders in the port industry. We hope to see you in October at the annual conference in Boston where Jenny will be presenting about community engagement with Jenifer Barsell from the Port of San Diego! ⛴️🌟

08/22/2024

At JPW, we work with local government clients every day and see firsthand how important effective public participation can be. The public deserves to be heard and involved in the decision-making process, especially these days.

That’s why our team is well-versed in the IAP2 - International Association for Public Participation foundations, ethics and best practices. Whether it’s a road improvement project or a large-scale infrastructure effort, we are determined to work alongside you and your community to get it right. We have a responsibility to bring people to the table and ensure that the best possible decisions are being made, together.

Learn more about what JPW can do for you at jpwcomm.com/work.

08/20/2024

The water world is always changing, and between AB 1572 and "Make Conservation and California Way of Life" there is more change ahead of us. To help you get prepped and ready, we've outlined three strategic pillars that can help guide you (even while all of the logistical ramifications are still being sorted).

✨ Inspire don't scare
💬 Over communicate
👋 Be a good partner

Read more on our blog:

The challenges of the water world ebb and flow, especially in California where droughts are an ongoing reality.

08/15/2024

City halls...we love them. They're a place for fostering community connections, inspiring dialog and crafting some amazing strategic communication initiatives, thanks to the hard work of our clients.

In honor of Engaging Local Government Leaders day, we found these gems from Long Beach City, the City of Oceanside - Government and the City of Lake Forest - Government.

Thanks to all those who work in local government, and thanks for letting us work alongside you. ✨

07/30/2024

The color pink has been a part of JPW’s brand since its formation in 2015, and we couldn’t think of a better color to represent our company 🌷💖

Our signature bougainvillea pink is a nod to our heritage as a San Diego-based company (Did you know there is a special San Diego hue of this marvelously Mediterranean plant?) The color pink is bold, fearless and self-assured. With a touch of femininity and a dash of creativity, pink embodies who we are as a proud, innovative woman-owned company.

Not to mention, it’s the color of love-and we certainly love what we get to do. How does the color pink make you feel?

07/24/2024

Team JPW has been busy on the conference circuit lately. One of our latest stops was at the Girls in Government conference in , CA.

Our own JPW Founder Jenny Windle, along with many other extraordinary speakers including Council Member Letita Clark, Congresswoman Young Kim, Council Member Beckie Gomez and more, connected with women looking to join the government sector and shared advice on how to succeed in the industry.

Jenny's advice: "Always believe that you can do whatever you set your mind to and then go for it."

07/22/2024

So much community outreach magic happens at public meetings...a nice PPT, maybe a cup of coffee, and your public meeting pants (see earlier post) can go a long way. ✨

Here's some 🎥 of JPW in their natural habitat at a public meeting in San Marcos to provide an update on the city's biggest-ever capital improvement project to neighbors who were most affected by construction.

No matter where your meeting is on the IAP2 - International Association for Public Participation spectrum, well crafted messaging and genuine interest in your community are musts. (Sometimes we wish we had popcorn when a plot twist swoops in, too).