Jan 15, 2014 14:57 pm

The cornerstone of sustainability is behaviour change. If we are to move toward a sustainable future we must encourage individuals and businesses to engage in a multitude of actions that foster sustainability. To date, most programs to encourage such activities have relied upon disseminating information. Research demonstrates, however, that simply providing information has little or no effect on the actions that households or businesses take. But if not ads, brochures or booklets, then what? Over the last decade a new approachcommunitybased social marketinghas emerged as an effective alternative for delivering programs to foster sustainable behaviour.

Community-based social marketing is now being used in thousands of programs across the globe. For example, Queensland's "Home WaterWise Service and "ClimateSmart Home Service, which reached over 500,000 households across the state, made extensive use of community-based social marketing. Closer to home, numerous programs in Canada and the US are based on this approach. If you have not yet been exposed to this approach, and how it can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your programs, consider attending the introductory community-based social marketing workshop that is being held in Calgary on May 26th and 27th (early-bird pricing is in effect until February 14th).

This workshop will be of interest to those working to address water efficiency, waste reduction, invasive species, energy efficiency, conservation, modal transportation changes, watershed protection protection, and other sustainable behaviour changes. Those who work to promote behavioural changes that promote health, such as active lifestyles, will also benefit from attending. A description of the introductory workshop is provided below. If you have already attended the introductory training, please consider forwarding this announcement to your networks (see the prize draw below for promoting the workshop).

Until February 28th you can win one of three free registrations to this workshop by promoting it within your networks. The three individuals who most extensively promote the workshop will win these prizes. To be entered for a prize, let us know by February 28th what you have done to promote the workshops.

Registration Site: https://register.cbsm.com/workshops/calgary-alberta-2014

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About the Speaker

For over two decades Dr. McKenzie-Mohr, an environmental psychologist, has been working to incorporate scientific knowledge on behaviour change into the design and delivery of community programs. He is the founder of community-based social marketing and the author of three books on the topic. One of these books, "Fostering Sustainable Behavior: An Introduction to Community-Based Social Marketing, has been recommended by Time Magazine and become requisite reading for those who deliver programs to promote sustainable behaviour. He has delivered workshops internationally for over 60,000 program managers. In addition, he has served as an advisor on a broad array of programs internationally, including waste reduction, water and energy efficiency efforts, sustainable transportation initiatives, marine and terrestrial conservation, and healthy lifestyles, among others. Dr. Wesley Schultz, an international expert in environmental psychology has said the following about these workshops, "Doug's Fostering Sustainable Behaviour workshops should be required training for anyone who develops or manages an environmental program." Below is a small sample of recent anonymous evaluations:

-Fantastic, simply invaluable.

-This is hands-down the most valuable workshop/training I've ever attended.

-Speaker was wonderful.

-The best workshop/conference I have ever experienced.

-Outstanding presentation style. Expertise is obvious.

-Superb presentation skills.

-By far, the best workshop I have attended on any topic!

Calgary Introduction to Community-Based Social Marketing (May 26-27): The two-day introductory workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to community-based social marketing and how it is being applied throughout the world to foster sustainable behaviours. Those who attend the workshop in Calgary will learn the five steps of community-based social marketing (selecting behaviours, identifying barriers, developing strategies, conducting pilots, and broad scale implementation) and be exposed to numerous case studies illustrating its use. The workshop also addresses the effective use of social media and websites in the fostering of sustainable behaviour. Each participant will receive a copy of the new edition of "Fostering Sustainable Behavior: An Introduction to Community-Based Social Marketing." The introductory workshop is a mandatory prerequisite for advanced workshops by Dr. McKenzie-Mohr.

Group Bookings

If you are interested in registering four or more people from the same agency, please contact us. We have two group rates: the first is for groups of 4 to 9, and the second is for groups of 10 or larger.

Venue Details

The workshop is being held in the Airhart room at Ambrose University College (150 Ambrose Circle SW, Calgary, Alberta) and begins at 9:00 am on both days. The workshop will finish at 4:30 pm on the first day and a 4:00 pm on the second day. We would ask that you arrive at 8:30 am on the first day so that we can deal with registrations prior to our start. Venue information will be emailed to registrants. Workshop attendees receive a copy of Dr. McKenzie-Mohr's book, "Fostering Sustainable Behavior: An introduction to community-based social marketing (3rd Edition)" at the event. Lunch on both days is included in the registration fee.

Registration Site: https://register.cbsm.com/workshops/calgary-alberta-2014

Early bird pricing is in effect until February 14th.