Outreach - Who's Job is it Anyways?

Seems fairly reasonable to assume that once the outreach chair is elected or appointed the responsibility falls squarely on them to make things happen. That is a very short sighted view point.

The responsibility is actually shared. The outreach chair is more of a collector and distributor of information. The chair relies on every committee member to do their job and a little bit of outreach too. Those speaker cards, at every committee meeting, belong to the outreach chair. So copy them, and send them over to the outreach chair.

Now if you designed those speaker cards right it should provide a lot of information.
The basic contact information. An explanation of how they can provide further comments. An inquiry as to how they heard about the meeting; email, e-zine, posting, newsletter, letter, word of mouth or other. Provide an opportunity to join committees, neighborhood watch, CERT training, or as a board member.

Don't just rely on one source of contact. Not every one likes to speak. So have a sign in sheet as well. Give non speakers the same opportunity to participate. Be willing to change design elements, and sharpen your image by adding logos.

Now if each chair sends you sign in sheets and speaker cards, you are well on your way to increasing your database of contacts for your e-zine and email blasts.

The other committee chairs still have more work to do for the outreach chair. Let's talk about how they greet the public at meetings. They don't? Houston we have a problem! Why would someone offer to serve on a board or join a committee when they aren't given the time of day by board members. Right now we are talking basic courtesy.

Outreach is about gathering potential election candidates year round too.

Let's talk about board dynamics. Do you appear to resolving problems and having elevated discussions and debates or battling each other in a power struggle oblivious to the impact on others? Where is the win in that? To win the battle but lose the kingdom is no victory at all. Why would anyone sign up to be part of a dysfunctional board?

Question; How many board members do you have? Times that number by how many stakeholders live in each of their neighborhoods. They have easy access to stakeholders, and they should help you have access to them too.

Who should be writing articles for the websites and e-zines? Not just the outreach chair or committee. Engage the board and even stakeholders. Experiment with content! Yes, you want to provide developing city hall issues, even county is relevant, but your committee chairs should be able to provide neighborhood council content. Local events are crowd pleasers.

This is all about working smarter not harder.

You will find that even the most business savvy board members need reminding that their neighborhood council is a product and service provider and each member is part of the image. Try to be patient, and stay focused on the goal.

Share some of your successes with outreach!