Minutes 01-31-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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once a year for any needed Board approved changes. He sees the draft as a suggested starting point. Rod Visser suggested as a possible way to proceed that he record on flipcharts Commissioner reactions to Michael Talbert's draft, as well as any other specific elements or characteristics not mentioned in that framework that they would like staff to consider including in a fully written communications plan. He asked if that would be a useful approach or if there were other alternative ideas on how to proceed. The Board then spent about 40 minutes discussing matters related to a strategic communications plan and developed the following list of comments and observations that should be considered as the plan is developed: • What is the role of the Board of Commissioners in a strategic communications plan? Presumably, at least approval of the plan • What is the purpose of the plan • Periodic check-in by the Board on how the plan is going after implementation • Board members as "ears" of the community can give feedback as part of the team • With regard to tools, we need to go out to where the people are — currently we expect them to come to us • Red Wing, MN communication philosophy (p 68 in agenda packets) —we should include philosophy as a section of the plan • Communication is a two way street; not just broadcasting; also receiving negative feedback and demonstrating that you have heard and considered that feedback • Consider the social part of communications — how to frame issues based on social science research • More goals are needed in the outline: crisis, controversial/fast breaking issues (p 16); target audiences • Goal for enhanced communication between the County and municipal governments and school boards in Orange County • Target audiences include the General Assembly, regional boards, and government entities • Example of meetings from which Triangle Transit Authority or Triangle J Council of Governments discussions should be communicated to the Board of Commissioners and feedback the other way • Reduce "siloed" communications • After action reports (safety net funding example) may highlight a specific issue — consider more detailed communications as well • More deliberate (vs. ad hoc) response to issues and citizen queries (avoiding personally identifiable information) • May have to use all methods to capture attention of the most people possible • Example of the Rockingham County Kettner Award for outreach to rural parts of the county that may not rely on technology • The best press releases include a personal element with testimony from someone who benefitted • "Kids won't answer their cell phones but they will respond immediately to text messages" • Be selective in the use of press releases to preserve the efficacy of those you do send out • Make sure county employees get press releases so they can be knowledgeable for their neighbors • Use different tools for different target audiences