Agenda - 05-15-2014 - 5 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

8 Attachment B Prepared 050814 4. over and over again we get burnt because we're allowing others to control our message 5. if we had been more proactive explaining what we were doing and the steps we were taking to reach a conclusion on financing our recycling programs, people would not have been so mad - we didn't correct the information that was being put out that was wrong 6. 2009 revaluation as an example of County being "reactive rather than proactive" 7. anytime you have something that is controversial and /or complex, maybe its just consciously thinking through how you're going to do the whole thing, including your communication piece, step by step; and how you're going to explain it; then explain it at the beginning and set the frame 8. during emergency situations, all elected officials should be made aware with reasonable (not minute to minute) updates so that if someone calls them, they can be reasonably knowledgeable for those citizens 9. with regard to getting information out to neighborhoods, we need to do better job of communicating about development in their area and about public hearings 10. would be good to have a more general exposure on how to frame issues for staff and commissioners — get a research based understanding 11. "framing is not to mislead people - framing should be in line with your philosophy" 12. what happens in meetings should not be the only perception the public has 13. the solid waste district tax got framed as an individual service provided by Orange County - but this is about a program to reduce the waste stream, not about an individual service to pick up your recycling 14. historically, a lot of information prepared for meetings is for an audience that is the Board of Commissioners — now we need to do a better job of making it public friendly, even though the issues are very complicated; professionals need to recognize an audience beyond the Board 15. some pre- conceived notions about the southern branch library were not true at all — you have to be prepared to change your mind based on the education you have received PLAN ELEMENTS: There was general consensus that the draft Plan outline provided by the Manager for consideration by the Board at the January 31, 2014 retreat is a good starting point for developing a fleshed -out Plan. Common themes I heard were that the County should use the broadest possible array of tools in its communication outreach efforts, and that tools used in any particular situation should be tailored to the needs and characteristics of primary intended audiences. There was strong emphasis among respondents of the importance during emergency or crisis situations of the Plan addressing communications to /from /between the Board, staff, public, and other partners (e.g. the Towns). There is considerable appreciation of the value of social media tools in communications between the County and the public, but some ambivalence in some quarters about the costs that may come along with the benefits of using social media. That said, I think there was enough open- mindedness expressed by those with reservations to feel confident that a communications team can develop appropriate parameters and guidelines to make social media tools a highly effective component in a Plan. There was broad sentiment among Commissioners that while press releases have an appropriate place in the toolbox, the County's current approach to using them to disseminate County- related news is not as engaging and effective as it should be. 1. there is a wealth of opportunity there with the cable TV tool 2. the County website really needs to be your first tool 3. tweeting — if you want to do it, OK, but don't rely on it, don't make it a cornerstone 4. need crossjurisdictional cooperation and collaboration 5. use different media for different audiences 6. "utilize widest possible variety of communication methods and vehicles at lowest possible cost"