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

History Kern COG’s old approach to public participation included: Legal and public noticesLegal and public notices Public hearingsPublic hearings Some public workshopsSome public workshops Occasional press releasesOccasional press releases

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

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

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

Other factors Board wants agency ‘branded’ in the public’s mind.Board wants agency ‘branded’ in the public’s mind. 2001: Marketing firm hired to develop an overall public outreach plan.2001: Marketing firm hired to develop an overall public outreach plan.

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

Findings Web site outdated.Web site outdated.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

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

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

What’s been done so far Mailing list includes 200 more NPOs & CBOs.Mailing list includes 200 more NPOs & CBOs. New brochures designed for air quality conformity, RTP and FTIP.New brochures designed for air quality conformity, RTP and FTIP. Increased press releases and direct contacts with the media.Increased press releases and direct contacts with the media. Increased staff presence at community fairs and events.Increased staff presence at community fairs and events.

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

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