Communications Task Force: May 2022

Present

  • Commissioners: Chair Zakk Maher
  • Staff: Bryan Roche

The Communications Task Force met electronically for its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Due to scheduling conflicts, the meeting was abbreviated as Maher and Roche were the only to addend. The two discussed the following:

Monthly report

Maher invited Roche to report on communications activities from the month of April. Roche highlighted the following from the report. 

  • Roche assisted Program Officer for Volunteer Sector Initiatives in promotion and media creation for 2022 Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism, earning six media placements.
  • Roche assisted the Executive Director and Program Officer for Volunteer Sector Initiatives in restarting "Issues" video series, which will now be called "Volunteer 207." Two interviews have been recorded, with the third being completed just prior to the Task Force meeting.
  • Maine Association of Broadcasters (MAB) staff transition: In April, there was optimism that a contract with MAB could be possible. However, as the month went on and the search for a new director continues, a new contract was not generated by MAB in time. A new plan has been established to reach out to a large radio group in Maine to see if they can offer match. If so, television PSAs will be pivoted to cable, which can earn match, and digital video, which cannot earn match but will get messages to more of the target demographic.

The entire report be can be accessed by using the following link -- access monthly report.

Editorial ideas/new content

Maher and Roche agreed that there is an immediate need to resume producing op-eds, which are called for quarterly in the communications plan. Maher suggested expanding involvement in writing the op-eds beyond the Task Force so other Commissioners have a forum to share expertise and discuss sector issues.

Possible topics were narrowed down to:

  • Partnering with Dept. of Education and talking with volunteer opportunities in schools or summer programs. 
  • L.D. 1974 and what it means for volunteerism and the health of communities. It's an opportunity to talk about the Maine Service Fellows and Maine Climate Corps. Maher suggested involving Commissioners Haynes and Tilton Flood in the production.
  • A recruitment-focused piece that discusses the various service paths available, including Service Fellows and Climate Corps, and the professional and personal benefits that come from service.

Next meeting

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 from 3 - 4 p.m.