Communications Officer: August 2021

Major projects completed

  • Completed edits to final draft of 2021-22 communications and outreach plan and presented to the Communications Task Force for approval.
  • Created and submitted final batch of creative for Public Service Announcement program, which runs through November.
  • Established plan for Service Instigator pivot to launch creative and resource page in Nov. 2021 for digital advertisements before moving to broadcast television and radio in Jan. 2022.
    • As part of the plan, a mix of AmeriCorps produced TV and radio PSAs and in-house radio PSAs that focus on encouraging members of the public to volunteer, emergency response volunteering, and pandemic-friendly volunteer opportunities
  • Produced the August edition of "Volunteer Fare" monthly newsletter.
  • Published press release on 2021 AmeriCorps funding announcements with the assistance of the Office Administrator.
  • Completed work on blog post highlighting reflection talks given by Main Street Fellows AmeriCorps Program members, which is also designed to be a recruitment tool, with the assistance of the Office Administrator.
  • Produced episode three of "Issues," which focused on the COVID-19 volunteer impact survey and featured Sarah Goan, director of the Data Innovation Project, and Kelsey Preecs, program officer for volunteer initiatives at Volunteer Maine.
  • Digital outreach activities to promote a report authored by America's Service Commissions, AmeriCorps, and Service Year, which showcases 3 Maine AmeriCorps projects as model programs.
  • Created awareness through digital platforms around Mott Foundation Service Learning grant, including promotion of "Issues" episode two, which focused on the grant.
  • Created framework for digital outreach around Volunteer Maine's involvement in the Eastern Maine Emergency Preparedness Expo.
  • Presented on Volunteer Maine's strategy to implement the new AmeriCorps brand during America's Service Commissions Communications Learning Call.

Issues to be aware of

  • Due to the resurgence of COVID-19, the following changes have been made to upcoming events
    • AmeriCorps Launch (induction) will now take place on Mon. Nov. 15, time and venue TBD
    • National Service Recognition Day at the Capitol will now take place on a date, to be announced, in the month of February 2022.
  • AmeriCorps funding announcement: The press release was created before the end of the month, but distribution will not occur until Thurs. Sept. 2. Any media coverage earned will be reported on in the September report.
  • Maine Volunteer Foundation Duties: With the departure of the development associate in May, the Communications Officer will continue to handle some of their duties until a replacement is found.
  • There will be no media outreach and public relations metrics report due to major initiatives not being ready for promotion until the end of the month. Those items will be detailed in the September report.

Major focus of effort in the next month

  • Beginning the execution, and any related planning for execution, of the 2021-22 communications and outreach plan and integrating Communications Task Force feedback.
  • Sept. edition of "Volunteer Fare" monthly newsletter.
  • Planning for AmeriCorps Launch (induction) in November.
  • Collaborating with Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives to create awareness campaign around results of COVID-19 volunteer impact report.
  • Collaborating with Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives to create awareness campaign around the Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference. Collaborating with Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives to create awareness campaign around the Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference.
  • Collaborating with Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives to bring awareness to 9/11 Disaster Preparedness Grant service projects.
  • Creating a plan for a long-term AmeriCorps recruitment campaign that targets potential gap year students as well as individuals looking for a change in career.
  • Producing episode four of "Issues," which will highlight Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference presenters.
  • Collaborating with the Maine Volunteer Foundation to bring awareness to CMP donation to Maine Service Fellows Program.
  • Investigating feasibility of ordering AmeriCorps gear and swag for distribution to AmeriCorps programs.
  • Ordering updated print materials for outreach initiatives.

Other activity

  • None to report. Thanks for reading!

Prepared by Communications Officer Bryan Roche