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14 <br /> 1 Rod Visser asked if there is anyone uncomfortable with that proposal from Chair <br /> 2 Jacobs, or does that seem workable to the Board and the Manager. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 Michael Talbert said he thinks it is workable, but cautioned he did not know how much <br /> 5 information they would have from Orange County Schools. They will do the best they <br /> 6 can with what they have. <br /> 7 <br /> 8 Rod Visser said he is heard reluctant skepticism but a willingness to get more <br /> 9 information and take another look at it on February 11. Michael Talbert confirmed that it <br /> 10 would be fine to discuss other related topics like task forces on February 11 as well. <br /> 11 <br /> 12 The Board agreed to get the information on this date. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 The Board took a half hour break for lunch. <br /> 15 <br /> 16 <br /> 17 <br /> 18 2. Goals for Strategic Communications Plan <br /> 19 <br /> 20 A. Presentation (Todd McGee, Director of Public Relations — NCACC) <br /> 21 <br /> 22 Todd McGee, Public Relations Director for the North Carolina Association of County <br /> 23 Commissioners, made a presentation titled "County Communications", based on a set of <br /> 24 PowerPoint slides that are included with the background materials for this meeting of the <br /> 25 Orange County Board of Commissioners. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 Todd McGee explained that in his capacity as President of the National Association of <br /> 28 County Information Officers (an affiliate of the National Association of Counties), he was <br /> 29 involved last fall in carrying out a non-scientific survey about what counties are doing to <br /> 30 communicate with their citizens. The survey instrument was sent to county managers in <br /> 31 about a dozen states. They received over 200 responses and felt they had received a <br /> 32 representative cross-section of the country and a pretty good idea of what is going on <br /> 33 out there. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 Commissioner Rich asked if we know whether people are reading the newspaper itself <br /> 36 or online. <br /> 37 <br /> 38 Todd McGee said he recently looked into this and found that 55% of people say they get <br /> 39 their news primarily from television; 20% say they get their news online; 10% report they <br /> 40 get the news from hardcopy newspapers; and perhaps 5% get their news from social <br /> 41 media. He noted that the percentage getting news primarily from newspapers could be <br /> 42 higher than 10% as some portion of those getting it online are likely getting it from <br /> 43 newspaper websites. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 Commissioner Pelissier asked if there is any data showing how many people follow <br /> 46 national news versus local news. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 Todd McGee said surveys he has seen do not differentiate between local and national <br /> 49 news, and he noted the challenge for local governments in making themselves heard in <br /> 50 this environment. <br /> 51 <br /> 52 Commissioner Rich said that there are a number of citizens who attend Orange County <br /> 53 meetings and blog from them. She observed that you cannot control their message, <br /> 54 which may not necessarily be the message the Board is trying to convey. The blogs <br /> 55 may just reflect opinion from someone who considers themselves a media person. <br />