Increasing public support for sustainability initiatives and measuring the impacts of comprehensive programs are two of the most pressing challenges facing city sustainability leaders. This year at the Congress of Cities NLC’s Sustainability Program is excited to offer two pre-conference training programs exploring these issues in depth and offering tools and strategies to equip city leaders successfully take on these issues!

Check out the descriptions below and visit our conference website to view the full program of events and register today!*

Engaging the public on Sustainability: Effectively communicating the concepts, benefits and opportunities

Wednesday November 28th; 1:30pm – 5:00pm

Increasingly cities across the country are pursuing strategies and initiatives that promote sustainability. Such actions have been found to produce economic savings, protect environmental resources, and even contribute to public health and safety. Yet these actions have not been without question or controversy, and establishing community support for these actions can be challenging. While many cities have encountered some form of resistance, some have even experienced direct and at times aggressive push-back from groups opposed to sustainability principles.

In this interactive workshop participants will learn about frameworks, tools, and techniques to effectively engage the public on sustainability and climate change issues and solutions, and work with peers to develop effective communications strategies.

Objectives:

• Understand key concepts and theories and regarding belief structures regarding sustainability and climate.
• Learn techniques and strategies to effectively communicate to audiences with varying levels of belief, skepticism, and support for sustainability principles and approaches.
• Learn techniques and strategies to solicit constructive public input into sustainability plans and policies.
• Demonstrate how to earn broad support for the benefits of sustainability efforts and counter misconceptions about sustainability and climate issues.

Trainers:

• Steve Nicholas, Vice President of U.S. Climate Programs, Institute for Sustainable Communities
• Mike Crowley, Senior Program Officer, Institute for Sustainable Communities

Implementing STAR: The Sustainability Framework Built By and For Local Governments

Thursday November 29th; 9:00am - 12:00pm

For years, there has been no common way of defining and measuring sustainability. This fall, STAR Communities launches the STAR Community Index Version 1.0, the nation’s first framework for evaluating, quantifying, and improving the livability and sustainability of communities. STAR uniquely combines:

• a common framework for sustainability, encompassing the social, economic and environmental dimensions of community;
• a rating system that drives continuous improvement and fosters competition;
• and an online performance management system that organizes and analyzes data

During this seminar, city leaders will learn about the STAR framework, hear about cities that have been involved in its development, and see a demonstration of the STAR Online Reporting Tool.

Participants will leave with an understanding of how STAR can help develop existing strategic or sustainability plans; strategies to collect and track data required for the tool; and learn how various partners such as universities or local NGOs can get involved.

Trainers:

• Hilari Varnadore, Director, STAR Communities
• Daniella Hirschfeld, Technical Director, STAR Communities
• Claudia Hernandez, Program Manager, STAR Communities

*NOTE: Pre-conference training sessions require a fee in addition to Congress of Cities registration and must be purchased in advance.