Event Training: Graphics & Branding for Community Events - September 2025
Join MGCI Board Members Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver who host our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) Event Production Training Ask Me Anything Talks – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome! Hosts: Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver This month's topic: Graphics & Branding for Community Events Strong visuals and consistent branding are essential for creating memorable and impactful community events. This session will guide you through the fundamentals of visual communication, including: Applying brand guidelines to event materials Designing accessible and inclusive graphics Using templates and tools to streamline your creative process Creating cohesive visuals across digital and print platforms Whether you're designing flyers, social media posts, or presentation decks, this session will help you build confidence and consistency in your event branding. Let’s build stronger, more connected communities—together. 📅 September 25⏰8:10 AM PT https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events. Sign up to receive our newsletter and reminders for our meetings: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI Post-event all meetings are available on demand on our Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learning
MGCI General Session AM - Nov 2025 - Running Events & Building Community in Tough Environments
Learn along with your community peers! Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome! Agenda: MGCI Program updates Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members Guest Speaker Topic: Running Events & Building Community in Tough Environments Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft Guest Speaker: Augustine Correa, Biz Talk Lead at CompuCom and Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju, Management Executive at Convenant Technologies In this session, we explore strategies for executing impactful events in challenging or resource-constrained environments. Speakers will share insights on fostering community resilience and engagement when external conditions are less than ideal. Attendees will leave with practical tools and inspiration to build meaningful connections through events, regardless of circumstance. 📅 Nov 18 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events. Sign up to receive our newsletter and reminders for our meetings: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI Post-event all meetings are available on demand. Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learningMGCI General Session AM - Sept 2025 - Harnessing Microsoft Copilot: Empowering Global Communities
Learn along with your community peers! Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome! Agenda: MGCI Program updates Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members Guest Speaker Topic: Harnessing Microsoft Copilot: Empowering Global Communities with AI Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft Guest Speaker: Nikkia Carter, CTO, Sesa Technologies, Microsoft MVP, MGCI Regional Leader Microsoft Copilot is transforming how people work, connect, and innovate by putting AI into the hands of individuals and communities worldwide. This session explores practical strategies and real-world stories that show how Copilot drives inclusion, accelerates impact, and empowers global communities to achieve more together. 📅 Sept 16 ⏰ 8:00 AM PT https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events. Sign up to receive our newsletter and reminders for our meetings: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI Post-event all meetings are available on demand. Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learningMGCI General Session PM - Oct 2025 - Behind the Mic: Powering Great Sessions with Speaker Support
Learn along with your community peers! Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome! Agenda: MGCI Program updates Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members Guest Speaker Topic: Behind the Mic: Powering Great Sessions with Speaker Support Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft Guest Speaker: Perla Ramirez, Senior Manager of Global IT, Change Management and IT Programs, Crowell & Moring, MGCI Regional Leader This session explores the essential elements that make speaker-led sessions impactful, engaging, and memorable. Attendees will gain insights into speaker preparation, delivery techniques, and how to create meaningful audience connections. Whether you're a seasoned presenter or new to the stage, this session offers practical strategies to elevate your next talk. 📅 Oct 21 ⏰ 5:10 PM PT https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events. Sign up to receive our newsletter and reminders for our meetings: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI Post-event all meetings are available on demand. Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learningMGCI General Session AM - Oct 2025 - Behind the Mic: Powering Great Sessions with Speaker Support
Learn along with your community peers! Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome! Agenda: MGCI Program updates Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members Guest Speaker Topic: Behind the Mic: Powering Great Sessions with Speaker Support Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft Guest Speaker: Perla Ramirez, Senior Manager of Global IT, Change Management and IT Programs, Crowell & Moring, MGCI Regional Leader This session explores the essential elements that make speaker-led sessions impactful, engaging, and memorable. Attendees will gain insights into speaker preparation, delivery techniques, and how to create meaningful audience connections. Whether you're a seasoned presenter or new to the stage, this session offers practical strategies to elevate your next talk. 📅 Oct 21 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events. Sign up to receive our newsletter and reminders for our meetings: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI Post-event all meetings are available on demand. Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learningMGCI General Session AM - July 2025 - Building a Formidable Community in Unfavorable Environments
Learn along with your community peers! Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome! Agenda: MGCI Program updates Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members Guest Speaker Topic: Thriving Against the Odds: Building a Formidable Community in Unfavorable Environments Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft Guest Speaker: Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju, Management Executive at Convenant Technologies 📅 July 15 ⏰ 8:00 AM PT https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events. Sign up to receive our newsletter and reminders for our meetings: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI Post-event all meetings are available on demand. Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learningMGCI General Session AM - June 2025 - Unconventional Ways to Promote Community Events
Learn along with your community peers! Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome! Agenda: MGCI Program updates Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members Guest Speaker Topic: Unconventional Ways to Promote Community Events Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft Guest Speaker: Tim Balk. Tim admittedly feels odd writing a bio. He's been a technology engineer for years after graduating from Iowa State University in 2004 with varying jobs from building websites to his current career serving as the go to individual for M365 and its surrounding services. Tim lives near the Twin Cities (in Minnesota) and is enjoying the expanded options of technology-based communities in the area as well as the trees, lakes, and removing buckthorn to help native plants re-establish their presence and thrive. While we're on the subject about re-establishing and thriving, Tim is working towards rebounding and reviving the M365 technology community in central Iowa to support and help others that are in the Des Moines metro. Tim is passionate about continuous learning, teaching, connecting with others, cooking, and experiencing the world with his family. Topic: Unconventional Ways to Promote Community Events Join host Heather Cook and our MGCI board members who will update you on all things MGCI. Learn from our guest speaker Tim Balk who will talk about stepping outside the usual flyers and Facebook posts with creative, unexpected strategies to draw attention and build excitement for your next community event. From sidewalk chalk art and mystery teaser campaigns to pop-up performances and interactive installations, this guide explores inventive approaches that engage curiosity, spark conversations, and bring people together in surprising ways. 📅 June 17⏰ 8:10 AM PT https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM Bring your own ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events. Sign up to receive our newsletter and reminders for our meetings: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI Post-event all meetings are available on demand. Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learningMGCI General Session PM - July 2025 - Building a Formidable Community in Unfavorable Environments
Learn along with your community peers! Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome! Agenda: MGCI Program updates Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members Guest Speaker Topic: Thriving Against the Odds: Building a Formidable Community in Unfavorable Environments Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft Guest Speaker: Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju, Management Executive at Convenant Technologies 📅 July 15 ⏰ 5:00 PM PT https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM Bring your own ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events. Sign up to receive our newsletter and reminders for our meetings: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI Post-event all meetings are available on demand. Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learning
M365 Gov Community Call March - Notes and Video
In the inaugural episode of the M365 Gov Community Call we tried to focus on Microsoft Ignite, but as the Government Community is used to, there were not a lot of GCC, GCC-H, or DOD announcements last week. So, after a brief "what was cool and exciting" segment, we moved on to Government News from the past month, including updates on security and compliance, availability zones, compliance templates, and much more.
