Sausalito Fire Services: Ensuring Informed Decision-Making Through Effective Community Outreach and Education March 8, 2011

About W/M Campaigns and FM3  W/M Campaigns has a combined 60 years experience delivering effective communications, community outreach and political consulting services for public agencies on more than 250 local, county, regional and statewide campaigns.  For over 30 years, FM3 has provided custom-designed quantitative and qualitative opinion research and on more than 300 ballot measure campaigns, on subjects as diverse as public safety, education, health care, open space and social services.

Extensive Public Agency Experience Just a few of the more than 500 campaigns for which Whitehurst/Mosher and FM3 have provided public opinion, strategic communications, community outreach and political consulting services:  Mill Valley School District: $60 million bond, 2009; parcel tax, 2008 & 2004 (Whitehurst/Mosher)  Marin County Fire Department: Parcel tax, 2010 (FM3)  Marin Energy Authority: Media and communications, 2010 (Whitehurst/Mosher & FM3)  San Francisco Unified School District: $150 parcel tax, 2008; $200 million bond, 2002; $450 million bond, 2006 (Whitehurst/Mosher)  San Francisco City College: $200 million bond, 2001; $200 million bond, 2005 (Whitehurst/Mosher)  Contra Costa Transportation Authority: ½-cent sales tax, 2006 (Whitehurst/Mosher)  Public safety measures in Larkspur, Corte Madera, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, among dozens of others (FM3)

Our Approach  We work with you as a partner.  We listen to your needs and objectives.  We help you engage with the community to understand priorities and needs, ensuring an open, inclusive and transparent process.  We help you provide the community with clear, accurate and unbiased information.  We help align policy, political and community objectives.  We provide you with the information and advice you need to make informed decisions.

Maximize Community Outreach and Public Information  Any public education/communication/outreach program must accomplish two goals: 1. (Outgoing) Provide the community with clear, accurate and unbiased information 2. (Incoming) Provide a robust channel for community participation and input  Some vehicles for effective outreach: ➡ Public opinion survey ➡ Community meetings and workshops ➡ Opinion leader meetings ➡ Maximize existing city/agency communications channels ➡ Paid media (brochure) and social media (Facebook), as necessary ➡ Maximize earned media and other third-party communications opportunities

A Timeline for Success This timeline is for illustrative purposes only. A final timeline will depend on the outcome of various decisions along the way.  March 2011: Develop and conduct public opinion survey.  April/May 2011: Publicly present survey findings, and work with the City, SMFPD and consultants to determine direction and timing for possible consolidation of fire services.  May - July 2011: Conduct public outreach and information program, including community workshops, to further understand community attitudes and priorities.  July 2011: Prepare ballot measure.  August 2011: Call for election.  August – November 2011: Organize and conduct a community election campaign.

Questions