Here’s a sneak peek of some of the pre-conference activities happening Tuesday, October 14 and Wednesday, October 15.

On Wednesday, Pre-Conference Panels will take place at the Hyatt Regency, while Field Trips and Day of Service will offer opportunities to explore local gems and give back to the community on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Check back in late summer for the full schedule and as more opportunities become available. 

Please note, advance registration will be required for Field Trips and Day of Service activities.

PRE-CONFERENCE PANELS

Communicating with Colorado’s Diverse Audiences

Julian Kesner, Vice President of Communications, The Colorado Trust

Katie Peshek, Senior Communications Officer, The Colorado Health Foundation

Cindy Matthews, Director of Communications and Community Outreach, Colorado Gives Foundation

  • Leveraging AI to identify core messaging elements that resonate with diverse groups

  • The nuts and bolts behind creating truly bilingual external communications

  • What messaging research, public polling, and focus groups have taught Colorado foundations about audience outreach and narrative creation

  • Wording and phrasing options and alternatives for politically diverse audiences

Jail Voting: Policy to Practice

Clerk Amanda Gonzalez, Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder

Kyle Giddings, Civic Engagement Coordinator, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition

  • How Colorado became the first state in the US to require in-person voting options in jails and how it’s changed lives

  • The power of leveraging different stories at different times with different audiences to move good policy forward

  • How to build diverse coalitions that can outwork and outlast the strongest of entrenched opposition

  • Lessons learned from expanding access to voting for thousands of voters with different needs in a different environment

Writing for Health and Well-being

Rebecca Arno, CEO, Prosperity Denver Fund

Marissa Morrow, Community Engagement Program Manager, Lighthouse Writers Workshop

Michael Henry, Co-founder and Executive Director, Lighthouse Writers Workshop

  • How a Denver literary arts center is helping residents find health and well-being through the practice of writing

  • How cancer patients, health and social services workers, and people who are without permanent housing are using writing as a tool for healing

  • What scientific evidence says about the benefits of writing and other art forms to mental health and connection to community

A Novel Approach to Compelling Foundation Content

Julian Kesner, Vice President of Communications, The Colorado Trust

Saja Hindi, Senior Communications Manager, The Colorado Trust

  • One private foundation’s experience in melding professional journalism into original content

  • The value and importance of going beyond self-promoting blog posts or grantee profiles

  • Using original content to strengthen relationships with media outlets

  • Using journalism practices to build credibility with your external audiences

  • Partnering with professional journalists to educate the public

FIELD TRIPS

Election Center Tour & Discussion (Advanced signup required)

Sarah McAfee, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer, Jefferson County Clerk's Office

  • Go behind the scenes of an active election to see how Coloradans’ votes are cast and counted

  • See how elections are kept safe, secure, reliable, and accessible

  • Learn about voter communication, education, and engagement initiatives that have had significant impact on turnout and behavior

  • Participate in a robust discussion on the role of transparency in building community trust

DAY OF SERVICE

The Communications Network is guided by the values of Community, Learning, and Leadership. At ComNet17 in Miami Beach, we put those values to work to give back to the community hosting us in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

Since then, our Day of Service has become a ComNet tradition. We saw dozens of attendees raise their hands to lend time and support to local organizations in San Francisco, Austin, Atlanta, and Kansas City. We’re excited to continue this legacy in Denver this year!

By participating in Day of Service, you'll not only be doing some good, but will also gain some new connections and have fun along the way. See our opportunities below — and you’ll need to sign up in advance.

Metro Caring

Wednesday, October 15 (2 different opportunities available):  

8:30 am - 12:00 pm MT - 15 people max

12:00 pm - 3:30 pm MT - 15 people max

Background: As a leading anti-hunger organization in Colorado, Metro Caring works with our community to meet people’s immediate need for nutritious, culturally relevant food while building a movement to end hunger at its root causes.


What You'll Do: Volunteers are the centerpiece to operating Metro Caring’s free Fresh Foods Market. In just a few hours, you'll join other volunteers in sharing over $10,000 worth of food with community members by helping to sort food, stock shelves, and bring groceries to people's cars. Closed toed shoes are required. Our building is accessible to folks in wheelchairs, and several volunteer roles can be conducted while sitting or stationary.