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Group instruction

The Medway Group offers a variety of group instruction options in general communications, writing, advocacy, public speaking, and presentation skills tailored to individuals at every level of a professional’s career.

Reba Hull Campbell, president of the Medway Group, has decades of experience coaching local, state and national leaders and working with new and seasoned professionals to give them the tools to be strategic and resourceful in any situation that requires public messaging. Any session can be tailored for small group coaching, one-on-one work or group presentations.

Each module typically lasts 50 minutes which includes time for questions. The modules can be combined into half-day training sessions and are customized specifically for each client’s needs.

Training modules

Communications 101

  • The communications landscape is constantly changing, but the basics of a strong communication strategy are evergreen. This session includes tips on using stories and data to develop a compelling narrative; maximizing reach of communications outreach tools; writing effective news releases, social content and advisories; choosing the best mix of communications tools; and managing misinformation/disinformation and AI.

Clear writing

  • While everyone may not be a natural writer, everyone can learn tricks to be an effective writer. Keeping nine basic writing principles in mind can increase clarity, conciseness and consistency of message.

Leadership presence and speaking basics

  • Professional presence goes far beyond walking onto a stage and addressing a group. Presenting a polished presence – regardless of the size of the audience – can be intimidating. But there are ways to push past nerves. Participants learn five essentials to hone their interpersonal connect points strategically and to present and interact with polish and confidence in any type of situation. The topics discussed – depending on the needs identified by the group – may include stage presence, leading meetings, appearance tips, using slide decks effectively, message management, and speech organization.

Message development

  • Effective messaging boils down to planning the work and working the plan. Knowing your audience and prioritizing messages are the first steps toward effective communication. Participants take away key steps toward creating a strategic, memorable and actionable message.

Advocacy coaching

  • Advocacy doesn’t happen only in the State House lobby or in a council chambers. It’s a year-round sport built upon understanding both the political and policy landscape around an issue coupled with strategically engaging your grassroots and grass tops supporters who can carry the message at the right time. This session lays out the framework for messaging, relationship building, issues management and grassroots activation. Participants also get an insider’s look at how the “sausage” is made at the State House beyond just the mechanics of getting a bill passed.

Meeting the media

  • From a contentious emergency situation to the announcement of a new business on Main Street, news conferences and media interviews require a speaker to skillfully manage a message. This session includes the basics of prepping for reporter interactions and media interviews. 

Crisis communication

Virtual meetings and presentations

  • Lighting, camera angles, annoying backgrounds and ambient audio can all distract from a speaker’s effectiveness during a video call or remote presentation. Participants learn quick fixes to eliminate some of the most common distractions that derail remote presentations, interviews or meetings.

Slide decks and visual presentations

  • Slide decks should support a presentation without becoming the central focus of a presentation. With the goal of keeping the listener’s focus on the speaker, not the slides, participants learn specific guidelines that make slides useful and interesting without taking the spotlight off of the speaker and the message.

A note about print materials

  • All printing costs are additional and charged at cost or the hosting organization may choose to print copies in-house.
  • Each session includes digital access to a PDF of the full slide deck for printing and posting on the host organization’s website.
  • Some of the presentations also include a separate PDF handout or worksheet. Hosting organizations have access to the PDFs for printing or posting.