1. Communication Strategy James D. Jarvis Director of Communications, PlanIt EAST

2. Agenda – Day One Todays Agenda Proactively Engage the Public Why important? Community Outreach & Engagement Program Promote meaningful community participation Community Engagement Teams Tools & Resources Available PlanIt EAST Fact Sheet & Wallet Card www.PlanIt EAST.org Public speaking & media training

3. Agenda – Day One Engaging the Public A Historical Perspective… Gen. George Washington July 9, 1776 Read the Declaration of Independence to his troops Orders his generals to do the same Letters from the Front British restocked provisions by bayonet acquisition Understood the need to educate soldiers & citizenry

4. Eastern NCs Unique Rural Character – Presents both challenges & opportunities – Requires a varied mix of outreach tools, mediums, and strategies – Foster meaningful community participation Goals of our Engagement Strategy – Capture & address residents concerns – Solicit feedback & input – Provide decision makers with accurate information – Communicate with traditionally underrepresented communities Engaging the Public

5. Agenda – Day One Community Outreach & Engagement Program Public Hearings, Meetings, Scoping Sessions NCER staff PlanIt EAST Delegates Robust Web Presence PlanIt EAST.org set to launch in mid-December Social & New Media PlanIt EAST blog, Twitter, Facebook Other web-based forums Polling & Surveys, Traditional News Outlets

6. Agenda – Day One Community Outreach & Engagement Program Community Engagement Teams Community Coordinators One within all nine member-counties Funded positions Outreach Methods to be Employed Surveys & focus groups Interactive Community Workshops Press releases on PlanIt EAST events Dissemination of fact sheets, one-page flyers to key stakeholders (English & Spanish) Develop citizen contact lists & stakeholder distro lists

7. PlanIt EAST.org – Mid-December Launch New Features: – Interactive Map – News & Events, PlanIt EAST Blog, Social Media – Facts & Figures – Studies & Analyses Delegates Page PlanIt EAST Fact Sheet Wallet Card Road Show Brief James D. Jarvis – Former Assoc. Professor, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs, Defense Information School – Can conduct group or individual training – Public Speaking – Media Training Agenda – Day One Tools & Resources Available

8. Agenda – Day One Timeline for Action Mid-December Media Announcement Formal launch of PlanIt EAST / PlanIt EAST.org *HUD Grant Award January 2012 NCER updates key stakeholders in all nine member- counties on PlanIt EAST Media Training (PlanIt EAST Delegates Meeting) March 2012 Community Coordinators in place Proactive community engagement begins

9. Questions?