Brightside Engagement

21/02/2019

Some times you take a wrong turn off the highway and instead of fighting the clock, you go with it and get a cookie from a fabulous French patesserie.

04/12/2018

I’m glad you’re here! You may be a long-time follower or a newbie, but either way, I’d love to get to know you better and share a bit about what I do. Please feel free to email me (hello at BrightsideEngagement.com) or comment below with any questions you might have!

I’m usually holding my phone during the daylight hours, so ask away! Can’t wait to hear from you!

22/11/2018

Everyone has their own set of traditions and things they like to do on Thanksgiving, but for me, the day is perfect when I wake up early to enjoy the fall sunrise then spend the afternoon baking a few pies before heading over to my family's home for a big meal.

How will you spend your Thanksgiving?

02/11/2018

A little behind-the-scenes shot. When I facilitate a meeting, I like to take notes on giant sticky pads. Not only does it help me write a better summary, but I'm building trust by showing that I'm capturing everyone's comments. Plus it's a great way to make sure I've heard things correctly - I always ask groups to correct me if I've jotted down something incorrectly.

11/07/2018

Social media tip: Make sure you grab your personal URL on LinkedIn. This makes it super easy to share your short and memorable link on your resume or with someone you met at a networking event. Here's how: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/87/customizing-your-public-profile-url?lang=en

LinkedIn Help - Customizing Your Public Profile URL - How do I create a custom public profile URL?

19/06/2018

I'm so proud to be a sponsor for this year's PI Works Conference! Can't wait to see the amazing line of speakers, talk with colleagues and friends, plus eat some delicious food!

Thank you to one of our silver level sponsors: Brightside Engagement.

Brandy Steffen started Brightside Engagement to focus on grass-roots public involvement plus digital communication. Bringing her experience as an urban and regional planner together with 12 years of public outreach experience allows Brightside Engagement to connect clients with their community and empower the public to change their communities.

Learn more at www.brightsideengagement.com

10/06/2018

The final count-down is on for the 2018 IAP2 conference (June 21 and 22)! There is still time to buy tickets to see some amazing speakers, network with colleagues, and eat some great food from locally-owned restaurants. Learn more at https://iap2usa.org/event-2877385

Come join the IAP2 Cascade Chapter for two full days of sharing, learning, and networking as we discuss how to proactively remove barriers and create a more diverse community. The conference will bring together experts, community members directly affected by hot-topic issues, and public participatio...

17/05/2018

I am so excited about the speakers we have lined up for the 2018 PI Works Conference, including Yee Won Chong. I hope you can attend the conference. We've moved it to Portland (less travel for most people) and provide options to attend some or the full two days of the conference. Plus we have student ticket prices and a few scholarships for those who can't afford to attend.

Check it out! http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=5jr9b8dab&oeidk=a07ef5j45ye1842634e

We're excited to share the presenters and their topics for the Friday, June 22 conference in Portland. There is still time to purchase tickets to see these amazing individuals on Friday (plus Thursday's full line up!). http://conta.cc/2G1uJXm

YEE WON CHONG, Yee Won Chong Consulting - Incorporating trans-justice into public involvement

Our society tends to look at gender rigidly – from birth certificates to pronouns to restrooms. How can public participation practitioners ensure that transgender people can participate in decision making when even an act that most people take for granted, such as using the bathroom, can be agonizing for a gender non-conforming person?

Learn more about Yee Won at http://yeewonchong.org/

30/04/2018

Thanks so much for Business Diversity Institute, Inc for inviting me to present last week at your Breakthrough Breakfast. I had a great time answering questions about how businesses can market to other businesses. Are you wondering the same thing? I'll share a few tips here and on my other channels - but send any requests over and I'll try to answer them for you!

24/04/2018

I'm so excited to share the final line up for the IAP2 Cascade Chapter June conference with you! I think it's going to be an amazing conference, full of creative ideas for engaging diverse communities and people who are overwhelmed by information (sound familiar?).

Know anyone that could benefit from hearing these great speakers? Please share with them! Space is limited and tickets are going fast. Just two months away!

2018 PI Works Schedule of Events Available
Register here: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=5jr9b8dab&oeidk=a07ef5j45ye1842634e

24/04/2018

Putting the final touches on my PowerPoint for tomorrow's presentation to BDI's Breakthrough Breakfast. I'll be speaking about how to leverage social media for business to business companies. Any questions you have on this topic?

04/04/2018

This is a great article about Oregon's African-American communities and history. Thanks Travel Oregon!

The story about being black in Oregon is one of resiliency, of determination and of continuously salvaging hope by mixing sweet triumphs with bitter truths.

04/04/2018

If you'd liked to learn how to leverage social media for marketing your business to other businesses join me on Wednesday, April 25 from 7:30 – 9:30am. I'll be presenting at the BDI Breakfast at the Multnomah County Building (501 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214). For only $10.00 you can get your goals for social media in order and understand which platforms match your brand’s identity to connect the most with your clients. I’ll review the current state of social media, including some best practices and what you can expect to put into it to get a return on your money and time.

I hope to see you there!

Social media is a constantly evolving place for you to market your services to other small businesses. Brandy will quickly run through a worksheet to get your goals for social media in order and understand which platforms match your brand’s identity and connect the most with your clients. We’ll ...

22/03/2018

So excited to attend (and organize) the bi-annual conference for the Cascade Chapter of IAP2 USA. It will be a great event for professional facilitators, communicators, and people interested in having better conversations in your community.

We're excited to focus on the issues of diversity and inclusion for our 2018 PI Works Conference. We hope the information you take away will result in deeper, meaningful conversations within our communities. Join us for two full days of information sharing and networking.

07/03/2018

This is a great networking opportunity for people in the creative services.

We are excited to announce Cre8camp on April 21st, an attendee-led workshop for creative industries professionals. It is a gathering for participants in the creative economy to discuss topics of shared interest, learn, network, and share in an open environment, all led by the attendees (unconference format). Only $15, with lunch included. Limited to 80 attendees. See http://cre8camp.com

24/02/2018

If you couldn't make it to BESThq last night to hear about how to prepare your small business for Tradeshow-Season, here are a few of the tips I shared.

1. Social media is like a party (and a tradeshow is a like a party too). Be nice, listen, say hello, make people that you meet feel at ease and smart, throw in a few laughs, have a good time. You get the idea!
2. Have a clear goal that you want to get out of the tradeshow and use social media to help you reach that goal.
3. Think about before, during, and after the tradeshow for ways that you can engage with your audience (it's a party, remember!).

Have other ideas? Share here! It's amazing how often we leave a tradeshow or a conference feeling like it was a waste of time and money. Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid that feeling!

23/02/2018

Getting ready to help small businesses use social media before, during, and after a tradeshow to get a better return on thier time and money. If you can't make it tonight to BESThq, send me your questions here!

16/02/2018

Make sure you get all of our announcements, tips and tricks for communicating (whether you consider yourself a communicator or not!). We don't want you to miss out because of Facebook's latest algorithms!

Visit our page, click on the arrow under "Following" and click "see first" to see our posts at the top of your newsfeed.

11/01/2018

This is a great reminder of how to interview people with integrity. Regardless of your feelings on this particular story or the Washington Post, this video raises a lot of the important interview practices (fact-checking, interviewing a long list of people to get a more complete story, not convincing people to disclose information but instead making them feel comfortable with you and the process).

As a facilitator and someone who does a lot of stakeholder interviews for projects, it's crucial to get to the truth of the issue. That is the only way that real dialogue can take place.

08/01/2018

Love Unstuck as well as visioning processes!

29/12/2017

Wishing you an amazing 2018!

11/12/2017

If you've noticed a dip in the number of views to your business page on Facebook, you're not alone. The recent algorithms have resulted in a decreased number of organic views for all businesses, organizations, and brands. Paying for ads and diversifying beyond Facebook at two ways to overcome this current (and probably long-lasting) trend.

While on average publishers' organic reach on Facebook has fallen by 52% in 2016, video and a lower reliance on Facebook has neutralized the pain for some.

08/12/2017

Thoughts to ponder indeed!

05/12/2017

You can now use hashtags on LinkedIn! I knew that would make your day :)

LinkedIn wants you to start using hashtags and I think it’s about time. For platforms, like Twitter and Instagram, hashtags are an essential ingredient to the social posting recipe. Up until recently, hashtags were frowned upon when used on LinkedIn because they were a telltale sign of cross-posti...

01/12/2017

You are here because we need you here now! Have a great weekend.

27/11/2017

If you're looking for a great place to donate to on , consider Self Enhancement, Inc. They are one of several amazing non-profits in Portland.

24/11/2017

I love this quote and find it one of the most poignant lessons that I try to live my life by (but it's also one of the most difficult). But he's right, we need more people that have come alive! Here's to trying to reach our goals!

23/11/2017

I'm feeling very thankful this year as I continually learn and grow my business. But part of my learning (and my job) is to look at things from a different angle. So what if your year hasn't been going well and you're surrounded by soundbites telling you to be grateful? What do you do?

I would say - that's ok. It's ok to feel upset when things aren't going well - but don't get caught in that trap too long. There are always things you can be thankful for, so brainstorm some. Check out this article for ideas. And know that you can turn things around tomorrow!

Just because gratitude is a big part of the holiday season doesn't mean it comes naturally. Here are some easy ways to cultivate thankfulness.

21/11/2017

Don't you love it when you come across new people, ideas and resources! Someone just told me about the Government Alliance on Race and Equity. They have some great resources for government (and non-government) agencies looking to increase equity.

Racial inequities are not random; they have been created and sustained over time. Inequities will not disappear on their own. A growing field of practice is available so that local and regional government can proactively work to advance racial equity, focusing on eliminating inequities and increasin...

17/11/2017

I highly recommend following no more than 3 people/organizations in a category/theme that you're interested in. It helps keep information at a manageable level (not overload mode).

If you're looking for tips and tricks for social media, particularly Instagram check out Jasmine Star. I love her helpful videos that are to the point (plus she has a lot of fun along the way)!

17/11/2017

Thank you, Whoopi Goldberg, for these true words!

13/11/2017

Excited to be part of this presentation on Wednesday! MESO is an amazing organization and I'm honored to be working with them to share some tips on social media best practices!

10/11/2017

Sometimes machines (smartphones, cough cough) can separate us, but we can use it for kindness as well. Hope your weekend is spent with the ones you love!

07/11/2017

Two of my favorite storytellers share their experience of how they got started. A wonderful short article that will brighten up your day (guaranteed!).

Between them, Dave Isay of StoryCorps and Brandon Stanton of the photography website, Humans of New York, have collected more than 75,000 stories from regular folks around the world. They share the…