Helps Public Managers Sharpen Skills in Public Communications Reduced tuition rates for towns participating in the Sustainable Jersey program NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Public and nonprofit leaders and managers can learn skills and strategies for communicating effectively with their constituents in a new Leadership Certificate series offered by the Rutgers Center for Executive Leadership in Government (CELG) in partnership with Sustainable Jersey starting March 1st. "Strategic Public Communications for Public and Nonprofit Managers" is a four-part seminar program offered from 9:30 to 3:30 on March 1st and 8th on the Rutgers—New Brunswick campus. All sessions will be held at CELG's classrooms at 303 George St. Four topics critical to effective public communications will be covered: Communication Planning for Municipal and Nonprofit Managers Social Media & Community Engagement Emergency Communications Planning for the Municipal Leader Working with the News Media: Getting Key Messages Reported Accurately The seminars are taught by faculty and experienced practitioners and are opportunities for those who manage public communications to learn from best practices. "Each seminar will provide an in-depth learning experience with hands-on exercises and discussions of real-life situations and case studies," said Angie McGuire, Ph.D., associate director of CELG. Past participants in the program have included public information officers, nonprofit managers, police sergeants, and municipal clerks, among others. Sustainable Jersey registered towns can enroll at a 50% discount and receive in-depth training to help municipal staff implement the program's new Municipal Communications Strategy action and Emergency Communications Planning action. Rutgers and Sustainable Jersey are promoting the need for skill development by public officials consistent with the new Public Information and Engagement initiative at Sustainable Jersey, which aims to provide our government leaders with a new toolbox that will help them strengthen or create their public communications infrastructure to allow greater access to information and support more robust community engagement. Registration fee: $400 Sustainable Jersey registered & certified towns: $200 Participants must attend all four sessions to receive a certificate. For more information about the program, or to register, go to the program's website, send email to celg@docs.rutgers.edu, or contact Cathy Marshall for Registration information 848-932-4751. CELG is a unit of the Rutgers Center for Government Services. Its mission involves strengthening the leadership capacity of individuals and teams responsible for delivering public and not-for-profit programs in New Jersey and beyond.