December 11, 2019
PRESENT: Chair Jennifer Tilton Flood, David Burns, Julia Fiori, Jessica Nixon, John Portella, Bryan Roche
The Communications Task Force met electronically for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. The Task Force welcomed two new members this month: newly-appointed Commissioner Julia Fiori and Maine Department of Education representative Jessica Nixon. The Task Force discussed during their regularly scheduled meeting the following:
1. Legislative proposals (cont'd): Roche shared information from his research on out-of-state pieces of legislation on in-state tuition for AmeriCorps program members and making the Segal Education Award state-tax-exempt. The purpose of this research is to get a better idea of efforts needed by Commission members to propose similar legislation in Maine. Tilton Flood tasked the group with reviewing the example bills and tasked Roche with researching out-of-state retention data.
2. Plans for a new, unified website: Roche informed the group of his efforts to research and contact State of Maine website provider InforME. Roche explained to the group that InforME has the master agreement with the state, and because of that he recommends pursuing their services due to their unique level of expertise. Tilton Flood invited the Task Force to share improvements they would like to see in the new website. The most common response was a simplified structure and improved navigation. Tilton Flood tasked the group with sending any follow up questions to Roche in advance of the next meeting.
3. 2020 communications plan: Roche provided a status report on the 2020 communications plan. Roche shared with the group that he has been visiting various AmeriCorps programs in the state throughout November and December to help with research. Roche shared communications suggestions and improvements provided to him throughout these meetings. Tilton Flood then tasked Roche with having a plan drafted by the next meeting, at the latest.
The next Task Force meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.
Please click the link for a report on communication initiatives during the month of November.