Outreach Efforts

1
Outreach Efforts

• Kern Council of Governments
• Environmental Justice Task Force
• September 3, 2002

2
History

• Kern COGs old approach to public participation
  included
• Legal and public notices
• Public hearings
• Some public workshops
• Occasional press releases

3
Environmental Justice

• May 2001 Public Participation Policies revised
  to reflect growing environmental justice
  concerns.
• New policies emphasize community-by-community
  approach.

4
Policy changes

• Additional tactics include
• Display ads in community, Spanish-language
  newspapers.
• Radio ads.
• Community flyers (to churches, schools).

5
Policy changes

• Heavy use of press releases, media relations.
• Attend community events.
• Increase number of public workshops.

6
Other factors

• Board wants agency branded in the publics
  mind.
• 2001 Marketing firm hired to develop an overall
  public outreach plan.

7
Marketing plan findings

• Kern COG has no bad press issues to overcome.
• Agency has not received recognition for its
  services.
• Outreach materials are informative, but not
  inviting.

8
Findings

• Web site outdated.
• Public more aware of issues like air quality,
  mobility and transportation.
• Kern COG should market itself more aggressively
  or risk being defined by others.

9
Additional tactics

• Develop monthly public affairs programming
  through KGOV.
• Mail campaign with opinion leaders on selected
  topics.
• Approach city councils to make presentations
  about Kern COG.

10
Additional tactics

• Brand agency through PSAs about transportation
  and air quality.
• Create a tagline or slogan.
• Print, billboard, TV radio campaign with
  educational look and feel.

11
Whats been done so far

• Mailing list includes 200 more NPOs CBOs.
• New brochures designed for air quality
  conformity, RTP and FTIP.
• Increased press releases and direct contacts with
  the media.
• Increased staff presence at community fairs and
  events.

12
Budgeting

• Recommended 223,700 for first year, mostly in
  billboards, radio ads, general use publications.
• 2002-03 budget 60,000
• 250,000 a year over three years for air
  quality-related outreach measures pending CTC
  approval.

13
Outreach Efforts

• Kern Council of Governments
• Environmental Justice Task Force
• September 3, 2002