Agenda - 01-31-2014 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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16 Attachment 2-b PROPOSED ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLAN The purpose of the Orange County Board of Commissioners' Strategic Communications Plan is to promote more effective communication between and among the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and Orange County citizens. Public access to government and freely shared information are cornerstones of the democratic process and thus the plan should simplify access to the Board and to the workings of Orange County government. The plan should also establish guidelines,policies and vehicles for accomplishing the Board's goals for effective communication. OVERVIEW The Strategic Communications Plan seeks to accomplish the following objectives: • Enhance communications between the Board and citizens; • Enhance communications between Board members and the rest of County government, including employees; • Enhance the ability of Commissioners and citizens to access information; • Provide information to the public clearly, concisely, and in a timely, reliable, and helpful manner; • Utilize the widest possible variety of communications methods and vehicles at the lowest possible cost; • Develop a plan for coordinating information during a crisis; • Provide more direct means for the Board to shape the County's message. These objectives will be accomplished by utilizing the following communication elements: cable television,press releases and media relations, direct telephone access, internet site, intranet, and other communication devices. In addition, the County will have a communications plan for crisis management. The communications plan will address both ongoing media and public relations issues, as well as proactive strategies for addressing fast-breaking and/or potentially controversial issues in a timely manner. As part of the County's Strategic Communications Plan, the staff will develop for Board approval a single, unified style for all County communications efforts to establish the County's "identity" in communication vehicles. There will be a brief style manual for publications and other written materials and a design standard for the County's Web site and other communications methods. Under the general direction of the BOCC, the County's communications efforts will be coordinated through the office of the County Manager and the office of the Clerk to the Board. All communications from Orange County will follow adopted County policy.