Project description: Planning for virtual sessions included the following components: effective partnerships, eliminating registration fees, thoughtful and timely subject selection, providing a local perspective, assuring technical support, and going through a thorough planning process.
\nImplementation: VtPHA created a working group to identify a timely topic (Racial Justice as a Public Health Issue), and to partner with the Vermont Public Health institute (VtPHI) and the New England Public Health Training Center (NEPHTC) to assure the necessary resources. The learning objectives were created, speakers identified, date set and the planning phase began. Once roles were identified, and presentations were finalized, a program practice session took place. During the session participants were able to engage with the speakers and then complete an evaluation form. A second session offered five months later on “Effective Public Health Messaging” followed the same implementation steps.
\nResults: Previous in-person programs offered by VtPHA involved locating a venue, selecting date/time based on venue availability, and normally resulted in attendance of 30-35 participants. The virtual format provided much greater flexibility in terms of having national speakers participate, and setting the time and date. The number of participants in each session was well over 100 and the evaluations were universally positive. As part of continuous improvement, a post session debrief was also carried out.
\nLessons learned: VtPHA found it beneficial to partner with the VtPHI and the NEPHTC. Having a run-through about one to two weeks before the session allowed us to address any time or logistical matters and also allowed us to plan for back up plans for presenters.
\nRecommendations: Affiliates should explore virtual programming as an approach that can work well irrespective of the pandemic challenges. The key considerations are choosing the right partners, selecting timely topics, allowing for interactivity, assuring a local perspective, and making certain that one has the technical know-how and skills to conduct such programming.