LEGISLATIVE STEERING COMMITTEE AGENDA - Wacounties.org

DRAFT - 2013 / 2014 LSC Public Outreach Campaign Plan - DRAFT
Goals
• Engage Legislators and staff in county issues year-round to increase the number of advocates for WSAC legislative priorities
• Increase public awareness of the role of counties and the services provided to residents in order to build understanding and
support
• Develop and produce LSC communications tools to assist members with advocacy efforts
• Inform coalition of labor, environmental, business, tribal and other interests in understanding and supporting counties and
WSAC legislative priorities
Potential Barriers/Challenges
• Complexity and vast number of county issues
• Differentiation of county role from cities and from other levels of
government
• Lack of understanding of relevance or importance to individuals and daily
life
• Lack of budgeted resources to accomplish all strategic activities; some
may require non-dues revenue to complete
Key Messages
• Counties provide critical services on a daily basis for all of Washington's residents, including public health and safety, local transportation systems, trial courts system, elections, jails, 911, and solid waste.
• Counties deliver direct services to residents in unincorporated areas for law enforcement, parks, roads, environmental health, and planning.
• Counties are the closest government to the people and therefore require local control and decision making abilities to meet community needs.
• Counties are the only local government to act as agents for the state and as a result serve a unique function for its residents.
• In addition to critical services, counties have a growing portfolio of state and federal requirements to implement in local communities.
• Every resident in Washington is a county customer.
• Counties continually look for and do business more economically and efficiently on behalf of their residents. use examples
Audiences and Strategies
Audience: Legislators and Legislative Staff Audience: County Residents in Washington Audience: Students in Washington, grades 6-12
• Host interim "County Fam(iliarization) Tours" for Committee
members, legislative staff and others
• Provide an interactive county orientation/forum webinar for
legislators and staff prior to session
• Use TVW programming to reach this audience
• Conduct editorial board meetings with LSC members, legislative
advocates and coalition partners
• Establish social media presence (Facebook, Twitter, blog) to
engage with county residents and present useful, relevant
information
• Use media outlets to feature county issues and local impacts
• Promote NACo National County Government Month (April)
statewide with local features
Tools & Resources
• Develop a compelling tagline and graphic for all public education campaign materials and uses; extend brand recognition through social media
• Integration of information into WSAC website and expanded online resources for audiences
• Talking points and fact sheets for overall legislative package and individual issues
• Customized and specific Legislative Alerts distributed through email and Twitter (opt-in)
• Information sharing opportunities for members beyond LSC meetings; use of technology to improve communications year-round
• Coordination and co-opting opportunities with partners including WACO, WAPA, judicial branch and other peer groups
• Promote NACo/ iCivics "County Works" educational game to
school districts, educators and students through educational
channels and social media
• Utilize existing TVW student programming to feature county
issues and student achievements at the local level
WSAC Legislative Steering Committee ‐ Communication & Education Workgroup
DRAFT 1.2 September 27, 2012
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