Tilan Copson, PIO
Major projects completed:
- Planned and supported staff with general website updates
- Updated Board Meeting online landing page, including staff reports, meeting minutes and needed meeting resources
- Attended and supported as needed, monthly Commission Board meeting
- Attended Post GSA event-evaluation meeting, reviewed successes and areas for improvement including staffing, resources and timing of preparations work
- Post-GSA effort: delivery of certificates, awards and pins to recipients who could not attend.
- Updated the VM website landing page for GSA awardees.
- Supported/attended MVF Board meeting to report on GSA fiscal matters after consultation with VM's fiscal management staff
- Edited and released GSA event view to YouTube
- Manage continued press inquiries from termination notice
- Created and maintained a list of media mentions surrounding termination letter and subsequent press
- Supported Policy TF, attended meetings and helped with communication related requests.
- Developed, designed and launched an online Resource Library for the Policy TF, to be used by Commissioners to support their advocacy efforts
- Developed #letthemserve awareness campaign to help create advocacy around the AmeriCorps funding termination toolkit (was not implemented)
- Supported MVLC planning efforts, specifically working with staff to develop viable and graphically sound replacement logo options for the conference. Reviewed options and discussed process for approval.
- Continued monitoring commission general email
- Attended staff meetings
- Conducted inter-office discussions to move pending issues forward on a variety of topics
- Attended MOCA Communications transition team meetings
- Began drafting Comprehensive Communications plan for the Communications Task Force
- Provided guidance as needed to Commission members and staff regarding to VM communications, timing and tone
- Supported new ED in various communication related projects
- Participated in ASC meetings to obtain AC updates and changes at the federal level that impact commission activities.
- Continued to foster tighter relationships with statewide partners to further amplify messaging and improve community connections.
Items to be aware of:
- Volunteer Maine needs to develop a crisis communications plan that outlines Commissioner roles, Communications TF support and staff participation. It also needs to develop a crisis committee that meets a few times a year to plan for various scenarios and develops rapid response protocols.
- Records and archives process needs to be documented and shared with staff.
- Public notice fulfillment process needs review and roles updated.
Major focus of effort for the next month:
- The Serve Maine campaign has at its core the launch of the new connector website which will require concerted focus
- Changes in AmeriCorps funding and operations will continue to cause disruptions that require frequent media outreach activities.
- Manage press, catalog media mentions and create awareness campaign to help keep the AmeriCorps crisis visible to state policymakers. Website FAQ page and social media #letthemserve toolkit.
- Continue to provide support to new Executive Director.
- Continue to provide guidance and support to staff and commissioners regarding outreach and communications
- Finalize Communications Plan and work with Comms TF to finalize
- Implemente initial strategies outined in the #ServeMaine campaign