How P2 Assistance Providers Can Effectively Use Social Media

The purpose of this webinar was to show how the use of social media and web 2.0 technologies can bring value to P2 and Assistance programs. The presenters discussed their experiences using different social media applications to reach a variety of audiences, and shared tips on what has been successful. See webinar agenda and links to the presentations below.

Introduction – 10 min.

How to Get Started Using Social Media – 30 min.
Speaker: Laura Barnes, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ITSC)
Laura L. Barnes is a librarian with the Prairie Research Institute embedded in the ISTC’s Technical Assistance Program. She responds to information inquiries; develops content for the ISTC and Great Lakes Regional Pollution Prevention Roundtable (GLRPPR) web sites; and consults with GLRPPR and P2Rx staff on information sharing issues, including social media. She has also done talks for organizations about tools and resources for stemming the tide of sustainability information and getting started with social media. She created and authors the Environmental News Bits Blog and Social Media LibGuide for environmental agencies and non-profits. Ms. Barnes earned a B.A. in History and an M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Examples of Policies and Guidelines for Using Social Media – 20 min.
Speaker: Andy Bray, Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA)
Andy Bray joined NEWMOA in 1997 as an intern before being made Project Staff later that year and Project Manager in 2000. He manages NEWMOA’s P2Rx Center and its activities, including information and web resource development. He is currently involved in the areas of materials policy and climate change mitigation and using Web 2.0 technologies to help to inform people about more sustainable practices. He holds Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Concentration, both from UMass Lowell. Prior to joining NEWMOA, he worked at the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute.

Case Studies of MnTAP’s Experience – 20 min.
Speaker: Sarah Haas, Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP)
Sarah Haas, an Environmental and Public Health Specialist at MnTAP, works with businesses to improve public health through reducing their impact on the environment. She leads the DOE’s “Save Energy Now” program in Minnesota where she establishes trainings, assessments, and technology demonstrations to reduce energy use in industrial facilities. She provides technical assistance to Minnesota’s hospitality industry and serves as MnTAP’s Materials Exchange Coordinator, using a variety of communication and outreach methods. Ms. Haas received a B.A. in Biology from Metropolitan State University and a Masters of Public Health Administration and Policy from the University of Minnesota.

Questions & Discussion – 10 min.

The presenters have compiled this List of Resources, which contains links to examples of social media policies and guidance documents (PDF).

A Recording of the webinar is available.