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2025-2027 Board of Directors nominations
Would you like to be more involved with CAPIO? Be a Board Member! Volunteers are needed to serve on CAPIO’s 2024-2026 Board of Directors. Your expertise and experience is needed to help guide CAPIO into another great year!
How to Apply
Click here for the 2025-2027 Board of Directors nomination form. To nominate yourself, log-in with your member password first. A brief description of each open position is provided on the form. Board meetings are held monthly via conference call and in person twice a year.
CAPIO Chirp Episode 14
Celebrating Great Communicators
During this episode our podcast hosts interview CAPIO’s 2024 Special Award Winners. Each year CAPIO honors several individuals with distinctions including our Communicator of the Year, Rising Star, Crisis Communications Leader and Paul B. Clark awards. These awards recognize individuals who have had a distinctive impact at their agency or in government communications state-wide. We begin this interview with our 2024 Paul B. Clark recipient, Maurice Chaney, PIO for City of Roseville’s Environmental Utilities. Next, we hear from the County of Fresno’s communications team Sonja Dosti, APR, Joshua Dean and Michelle Avalos who were honored with our 2024 Crisis Communications Leader of the Year. Joshua Dean was also recognized as our 2024 Rising Star. The episode wraps with an interview with our 2024 Communicator of the Year, Kevin Strauss, Communications Manager for the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency. Congrats to these outstanding communicators! Nominations are now open for our 2025 Special Awards. Learn More
CAPIO Chirp Special Edition: Behind the Scenes at the Palisades Fire
In this special edition of the CAPIO Chirp podcast, Chloe Castillo, a Deputy Public Information Officer for CAL FIRE, takes us behind the scenes of the Joint Information Center (JIC) during the Palisades Fire. From managing international media attention to balancing the multilingual and localized communication needs of the community, Chloe shares invaluable insights for communicators tackling the complexities of crisis communications on the front lines and advice for communicators looking to assist.
Did you Miss our Partner for Success Webinars?
Catch up by watching the recorded webinars.
Are you seeking solutions to take the load off of your staff in 2025? Learn more about how our CAPIO Annual Partners can assist you with your upcoming projects or technology through these recordings featuring our CAPIO Annual Partners.
PARTNER FOR SUCCESS WEBINAR 1
Learn more about CAPIO Diamond Partner Tripepi Smith and CAPIO Platinum Partners Public Input and FlashVote through this 45 minute webinar.
CAPIO Chirp – Episode 13
Working on the BIG Stage - an Interview with Chris Meagher, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense
In this episode, we find out what it’s like to work for the government…the BIG government. Chris Meagher, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, discusses how he went from writing about sports to a position on the big stage working for the Pentagon and the White House.
Calling All Communications Stars: CAPIO’s EPIC Awards Entries Now Open!
Ready to celebrate your team’s achievements and see your hard work in the spotlight? CAPIO’s prestigious EPIC awards is now open for entries, recognizing the most impactful and innovative communications efforts across California. Whether you’re a seasoned EPIC award winner or submitting for the first time, this year’s awards program promises to be one of the most exciting yet!
CAPIO Chirp Podcast: Episode 12
Navigating First Amendment Audits: Strategies for Handling Audits and Staff Training Tips
In this episode of the CAPIO Chirp, we explore the growing trend of First Amendment audits and their impact on local government agencies. Ashley Metzger (1:35), consultant with Regional Government Services, shares her personal insight of audits and offers practical tips on preparation as a former water agency communicator. Next up attorney Deborah Fox (19:40), one of California’s foremost experts on First Amendment issues, provides legal insight, discussing the history and legal framework of these audits. Whether you work for a city, county, or special district, this episode equips you with the basics of how to handle First Amendment audits with confidence and the knowledge of where to look for additional training resources.
Fresno County Communications Team Wins 2024 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communicator of the Year Award
The California Association of Public Information Officers (CAPIO) has awarded the Fresno County Communication Team the 2024 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communicator of the Year Award for their extraordinary efforts to educate the public on the dangers of winter storms that struck the County in 2023. The number of atmospheric storms that impacted the Central Valley and the County had severe public safety scenarios that could have led to a more significant loss of life and injuries. The Fresno County Communications Team provided vital warnings and educational information on easy-to-reach channels to get the word out.
Maurice Chaney selected as the 2024 Paul B. Clark recipient
Maurice Chaney, an award-winning strategic communications professional with over 24 years of combined experience in the public and private sectors, was awarded the 2024 Paul B. Clark Achievement Award by CAPIO on May 15 in Indian Wells during the CAPIO Annual Conference and Awards Dinner.
In his current role, Maurice is the Public Information Officer for the City of Roseville. He manages public relations and outreach and oversees a hands-on learning center for Environmental Utilities, a suite of community-owned utilities for a community of nearly 160,000.
CAPIO Chirp – Episode 11
Enjoy our latest podcast highlighting our upcoming CAPIO Annual Conference
For this CAPIO Chirp, we are excited to interview Thomas Christensen, CAPIO’s incoming president, about all things conference! Enjoy a sneak preview of what is in store for attendees at our May 13 – 16, 2024 event being held in Indian Wells – it’s where the desert landscape becomes the backdrop for your professional recharge.
Strategies for Crafting Standout Entries for CAPIO EPIC Awards
By Jalel Braden, Communications Specialist, San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association (SBCERA)
Awards Entry Deadline extended to March 11, 5 p.m.
Episode 10
Salute Your Staff: Recognizing the People Who Stand Behind Your Agency
Check out the latest episode of CAPIO Chirp podcast!
In this episode, Scotty and Paul talk with two outstanding communicators, DeDe Cordell, Communications Manager for Yuba Water Agency, and Dan Fenstermaker, Media Services Specialist at the City of Brea. They share some awesome ways to give love and show support to their staff and creatively highlight the dedicated people and roles of their government agencies. Listen now
CAPIO Conference exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities now available!
Get your company name in front of California's PIOs from across the state at CAPIO 2024
Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 2024 CAPIO Annual Conference being held May 13 – 16 in Indian Wells, California at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa.
Exhibit table space costs $2,500 and includes one conference attendee pass (valued at $675-$825) If you are looking for more visibility before and after the conference, sign up to be an annual partner with prices ranging from $3,500-$7,500 and would include your exhibit space and much more!
What is the Working Genius assessment tool?
Learn more at CAPIO's September Leadership Summit!
A new management and leadership tool being talked about is the 6 Types of “Working Genius” assessment.
The 6 Types of Working Genius is a model that helps people discover their natural gifts and thrive in their work and life. When people are able to better understand the types of work that bring them more energy and fulfillment and the work that leads to frustration and failure, they can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful.
CAPIO 2023 Leadership Summit
September 25 & 26
CAPIO is excited to announce that registration is now open for our inaugural Leadership Summit taking place in Lake Forest September 25 & 26!
Join us for an insightful and engaging two days geared toward public sector communicators looking to further their leadership skills. This summit is designed for both emerging leaders and seasoned professionals who desire to learn more about how to gain or keep a seat at the C-suite table, manage others and think strategically within their agency. To view the agenda and learn more by visiting the website.
What’s it take to be named Communicator of the Year?
Tune in to CAPIO Chirp's Episode 9
So what does it take to become Communicator of the Year? We find out from Wendy Aguilar with the Sacramento Fire Department, who received one of CAPIO’s highest honors at the recent conference in Monterey.
Hint: be open to crazy ideas
Find @sacramentofire on TikTok
Introducing CAPIO’s 2023-2024 Board of Directors
CAPIO is pleased to announce the 2023-2024 Board of Directors who oversee and guide the strategic direction for the association. As the state’s leading government communications association, the California Association of Public Information Officials serves our 1000-member network of public communicators through training, networking and professional development opportunities. Read on to learn more about our board members.
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District honored with 2023 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communicator of the Year Award
Monterey, Calif., – The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District was awarded the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) 2023 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communicator Award on Wednesday, May 3. LVMWD was honored for their dedication, perseverance, and customer-service central approach during the most critical months of the state-wide drought.
10 Reasons to Start Earning Accreditation in 2023
Chances are, if you haven’t already earned your APR, you’ve thought about what it might mean for you personally or how it could bolster your career. Maybe you’ve been thinking, “Next month will be the month!” And Now, Here. We. Are.
April is April is APR month, and CAPIO is proud to continue offering our members the internationally recognized Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). The APR is a true measure of excellence in the communications profession and the key to next-level career growth.