PLAIN Language: Forms-a-palooza

Join the Plain Language Community of Practice for an hour-long conversation about how best to revise forms and convince your agency that the long-term benefits outweigh the cost.

Karissa Minnich, from The Lab @ DC, will be discussing how the DC government worked to improve their forms at a recent Forms-a-palooza event. Karissa will discuss how The Lab @ DC produced this event and how they choose which forms to revise and improve. She will also outline the benefits they expect to see or have already seen from Forms-a-palooza.

The Lab @ DC uses scientific insights and methods to test and improve policies, and provide timely, relevant, and high-quality analysis to Mayor Bowser’s administration.

Presenter:

Karissa Minnich is an operations analyst in The Lab @ DC. She works on matters of Lab operation as well as the planning, coordination, and execution of a suite of projects including the revision of government forms. Karissa’s portfolio includes budget and fundraising, partnership development, operational efficiency, and event programming, as well as providing a unique perspective and guidance on the landscape of D.C. stakeholder groups.

Karissa joined the Office of the City Administrator (OCA) from DC Greens, a local nonprofit that supports food education, food access, and food policy where she served as the director of operations. In this role, Karissa oversaw many functions, including the fundraising and budgeting process, onboarding and training of staff, the creation of the office Operations Manual and Employee Handbook, and the organization of meetings for the board of directors and stakeholders. She also produced three annual reports, managed the company website, and maintained a Salesforce database of partnership and project information.

Karissa earned a B.A. in sociology and political science from Muhlenberg College and a Masters of Public Administration from The George Washington University. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, yoga, and exploring her Ward 1 neighborhood with her husband, Nick.

About plainlanguage.gov

The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) is a group of federal employees from different agencies and specialties who support the use of clear communication in government writing. Visit plainlanguage.gov or join the community.

NOTE: In-person tickets are limited and going quickly, so sign up fast! Must be a federal employee and register with a .gov or .mil email.