New Media on the Hill
Congressional offices are starting to run slicker websites, blog feeds, email lists, video feeds and podcasts of Congressional hearings, and even tweet - but new media is still a brand-new concept for most offices on the Hill. 
It's no longer enough to only use these tools; knowing how to fully incorporate them into a cohesive strategy and to bring them to their maximum level of effectiveness is the next – and more important – step.
The New Organizing Institute is committed to helping with this process, working deeply with Congressional offices to identify best practices and relevant technologies.
Training
- in partnership with DCNet and the House Democratic Caucus -
Since 2005, NOI has been training progressive organizations on best practices in new media tools and techniques. The NOI is eager to bring that body of knowledge to the Hill, extrapolating best practices and lessons learned in online communications, fundraising, constituent relationship-building, and internal collaboration.
Congressional staff trainings will be held on Fridays in the Capitol Visitors Center, and be provided via webinar for district staff and staffers who can't get away from their desks for the hour. Trainings will bring together experts in the field and congressional staff currently using these tools. Contact annemarie@neworganizing.com for more information.
EVENTS
June 26th: Using YouTube/Vimeo/etc for your legislative work
This session will review different types of video, and the influence/impact of these types of video, for Hill legislative and constituent work. Messaging, platforms and strategy will be discussed.
Aug 7th: Working with bloggers, and tracking the news
The blogosphere is growing rapidly, in size, influence and impact. This session will discuss the importance of staff - communications and legislative - in monitoring blogs and tracking your office's coverage and issues in the blogosphere. This session will also provide an overview on best practices for engaging with bloggers on your issues and forming solid blogger relationships.
Join: In person (room TBD) or from your computer
Aug 14th: Pitching new media to your boss
This session will discuss not just how to convince your boss to invest staff time and money into new media, but how to win specific arguments. Helps determine who the stakeholders are in your office and potentially unexpected stakeholders who you need to get on board.
Aug 21st: Congressional websites - what your constituents are looking for and how you can provide information and INVOLVEMENT
This session will cover interactive new media- ways your office can involve constituents online- community organizing principles, with an easy-to-use website.
Join: In person (room TBD) or from your computer
Aug 28th: Email communications
This session will provide an overview on how email has changed citizen advocacy and how your office can respond effectively to constituents' goal to stay informed and engaged.
Join: In person (room TBD) or from your computer
September 18th: The value of new media - who's online and why you should reach them
Understanding who is online, why they are online, and what part your member should play in this new world is critical to using new media tools efficiently. This session will review demographics and other information regarding internet use and activities, and cover an overview of new media tools that will be discussed in more detail over the following sessions.
Join: In person (room TBD) or from your computer
October 2nd: Government Transparency
A tour through the sites that are tracking government activity, and a look at how you can monitor your boss' representation on these sites (and other members).
Join: In person (room TBD) or from your computer
October 16th: Metrics - how can you measure new media effectiveness?
Understanding metrics is an essential part of using new media. This session will cover basic metrics in new media (views, clickthrus, conversion rate, traffic) and discuss how your office should form metric goals and evaluations.
Join: In person (room TBD) or from your computer
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