Writing Policies and Procedures workshop in Lacey, WA

Course ID: OPR-340
August 25-26, 2010, 8:00AM- 5:00PM
Thurston County Fairgrounds | Heritage Hall
3054 Carpenter Road SE | Lacey, WA 98503

This course has been cancelled for further information please contact Ingrid Clausen.

Instructor: Jordan Peabody, Peabody Communications

Register Online | Directions | Accommodations | Course Brochure PDF | Course Catalog

Description: Clear, concise, and current policies and procedures save time and money, reduce confusion and liability, and stabilize staff action despite turnover. In this two-day workshop, any staff member will learn to write rules and directions that people can understand and use. The course prepares participants to think through policies and procedures, task outlines more effectively, and write them in a more readable style. Come learn the most popular format for policy and procedure writing in Washington State - adopted by various state agencies, counties, cities, and corporations.

Course Topics:

Diagnosing Common Policy Writing Problems
Typical mistakes to avoid while writing policies and procedures

Defining Policies and Procedures
Information that belongs in a policy, procedure, and task

Formatting Policies
Major components of the "headline" policy format to create office policies

Formatting Procedures
Major components of the "playscript" procedures format to create office procedures

Formatting Tasks
Major components of the "cookbook" task format

Numbering System
An easy method to build simple numbering systems from a manual's table of contents

System Maintenance
Easy-to-follow steps to keep a system from going out of date or getting overloaded

After completing this course, participants will be able to: Write clear, concise, and current policies and procedures that people can understand and use.

Intended Audience: Any staff member who needs to write policies, procedures, or task outlines, regardless of writing experience.

Course Materials: Each participant will receive a copy of the text of Sending Clear Signals in Written Directions: How to Write Policies, Procedures, and Task Outlines by Larry Peabody.

About the Instructor: Jordan Peabody is the founder of Peabody Communications, a consulting firm based in Lacey, WA. Peabody Communications specializes in helping average workplace writers (people without English degrees) write clear, concise documents for the office. Since 2001, Peabody Communications has trained hundreds of writers for private companies, cities, counties, and state agencies throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Continuing Education Units: 1.3 CEU's

Registration: $495/$395*
(*reduced tuition is available to employees of Native American tribes, government agencies, and nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, and NWAEP members). You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976. Register Online!

What to Bring: Mechanical pencil, coffee mug and water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the prevailing weather. Coffee, tea and light snacks will be provided. We will be on our own for lunch.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to 3 business days prior to the event. No refunds are issued for cancellations occurring less than 3 business days before the start day. Course registration fees and cancellation policy are subject to change without notice.

Disability Accommodations: To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or (206) 762-1976 at least 30 days prior to the event.