Truman National Security Project

This August, Truman’s San Francisco chapter geared up for the 2012 election season with a series of communications trainings. From op-eds, to blog posts, to social media, the chapter trained up and trained hard on all things media.

Truman’s Digital Strategist and Writer, Danny Gaynor, flew to the west coast to work with the chapter members. He held one-on-one media consulting sessions with more than two-thirds of the chapter, whose areas of expertise range from start-ups to economic statecraft. Said Gaynor: “The variety of interests — and diversity of skillsets — that Truman SF has in its membership is incredible. From a venture capitalist who consults the State Department on entrepreneurship in post-Arab Spring states, to a city councilor in an industrial city, to a former Obama Administration official, the chapter members have a wealth on knowledge and experiences.”

The highlight of the week was Truman’s top-flight op-ed writing training course, which Gaynor co-taught with Truman Fellow (and SF Communications Director) Sarah Granger. Granger, an accomplished blogger, social media maven and cybersecurity expert, gave the chapter a presentation on how blogging can be an influential policy tool. Gaynor gave the inside scoop on op-ed writing, the news cycle and pitching to media.

Most importantly, a big thank you to the SF chapter leadership: Regional Co-Directors Paul Clarke and Ken Wun were instrumental in generating a huge turnout; Communications Directors Chris Fadeff, Ben Renda and Sarah Granger gave fantastic insights on the writing process (and offered their editing services); and Fellow Haim Zaltzman secured a beautiful conference room overlooking the bay.