Building a communications committee

Joe Mueller, Principal of Mueller Communications, presented on building a communications committee at the Community Service Public Relations Council's 2013 Spectrum Conference on May 7, 2013. Get more information on improving your organizations communications at muellercommunications-stl.com

1. Building A Communications Committee; A Plan For Your Organization Joe Mueller Mueller Communications Community Service Public Relations Council 2013 Spectrum Conference

2. Always ask, ‘Why?’ Simon Sinek’s TED Talk 10.4 million views “Start With Why” book published in 2009

3. Why are you here? Objectives Why you need to develop a committee, group or team? Where do you get volunteers for committee—players for the team? How do you get organized and execute? How do you e valuate performan ce ? Takeaway: 2 or 3 action items. Who is going to do what and by when?

4. Why build a committee or group? Assist with creating, maintaining content—your organization’s story Assist with specific channels—print, web, social media, etc. Become an executive producer or editor—a project manager Become better at strategy—create time to survey landscape/battlefield

5. Why build a committee or group? Increase institutional knowledge of marketing & communications Increase efficiency—better results without substantially increased overhead You can’t do it all Free your psychic RAM

6. Review your organization’s mission Why do we exist? What are foundational elements for operating? M oney-fundraising M embership—clients A wareness—who needs to know we exist? P eople—volunteers, staff P rogram—services and activities

7. EVERYONE in your organization plays a role in communications Establish a clear vision you want to achieve Use your plan as a map—everyone gets something from your success Get buy-in from, Executive director Staff Board Key volunteers Key funders, donors Create benchmarks and reporting mechanisms

8. Primary functions of your committee Develop, implement and evaluate the plan Identify, communicate trends Communicate to audiences Support delivery of the organization’s program

9. Primary functions of your committee Promote new programs, projects Create consistent messages Create content Conduct, analyze and utilize research

10. www.jfmueller.com 10 Recruiting Talent Defining Objectives Creating Plans SWOT Analysis

11. Identify your needs Publications Photography Video Website (analytics) Digital—e-newsletter and social media Writing and editing Research Media relations Special events support

12. 12 John, CEO of WOM P.R. Cindy, Owner of Web Solutions Tim, Production Mgr. KWMU-TV Ella, VP of Rather Marketing Greg, Freelance Graphic Design

13. Sample Organization Chart

14. Committee or group structure Chairman, member of governing board Get more brains in the game—assemble people with contacts and influence to brainstorm ideas for people to serve on committee

15. Committee or group structure Where to find committee members Local college, university marketing and business departments Ad agencies, PR firms Radio, television stations AMA (American Marketing Assoc.) PRSA (Public Relations Society of America), IABC (International Association of Business Communicators)

16. Committee or group structure Where to find committee members Corporate marketing, advertising, graphic design companies Freelance writers, designers, photographers Newspapers, magazines, other print media Companies with large marketing presence University and school district communications, public relations coordinators

17. Developing an integrated plan Conduct a communications audit SWOT analysis of five fundamental areas of operations Determine your organization’s most important objectives Determine the tactics you will implement to accomplish each objective

18. 18 Objectives Increase individual donations Increase clients Improve Awareness Of Prevention Programs Assist upcoming capital campaign for new facility Increase participation in volunteer training Establish awareness of endowment fund

19. Increase participation in volunteer training Increase individual donations Increase client services Blog Brochure Video Media Campaign Brochure Video Media Campaign Direct Mail Direct Mail

20. Implementing, executing the plan Build a team that can serve your organization, OR Assign people to work with program department and request assistance for services Establish editorial calendar Create accountability—meetings, scorecards More information on planning: A ttend Allison Collinger’s session today at 3:15 p.m. Visit: slideshare.net/ jfmueller

21. Review—are our initiatives moving the organization forward? Review your organizational metrics or scorecards How do we improve, be more effective? Celebrate success Share results with staff, volunteers, board Earn, maintain a ‘seat at the table’ Stay on top of trends Do we need more help? Do we need help in new, specific area? FEEDBACK IS A GIFT—accept positive or negative response as precious

22. Recognition Reward your team Build camaraderie, enthusiasm Celebrate success People jump ON bandwagons and OFF sinking ships

23. Joe Mueller Blog/Website: muellercommunications-stl.com LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/jfmueller E-mail : [email protected] Twitter : @ jfmueller Cell: [phone]