Metrics: Media outreach and public relations
Please use the following link to view the July report -- click here.
Major projects completed
- Collaborated with Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives to produce episode two of "Issues" monthly conversation series, which focused on service learning and youth civic engagement. Completed editing work and episode will be distributed once approved by guest Tracy Harkins.
- Assisted the Executive Director in writing and submitting a nomination for an individual to be considered for one of the annual awards presented by America's Service Commissions.
- Produced and distributed a "June/July" edition of Volunteer Fare newsletter. Access the newsletter here.
- Produced and distributed a blog post on the passage of LD 1010 (Maine Service Fellows) and LD 722 (Maine Climate Corps study resolve). Access story here.
- Produced and distributed press release on the election of new Commission officers. Access the press release here.
- Produced individual videos of Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism. competitive category winners for social and digital distribution. One video will be shared weekly through the first week of August. Access video playlist here.
- Completed website updates to remove out-of-date items, add/update information on the Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference, add information on Disaster Preparedness Grants, and provide more homepage visibility for Maine Service Fellows and Maine Climate Corps news.
- Established contact with AmeriCorps federal social media lead after gaining attention for Maine program participation in "What's At Your Core" recruitment campaign.
- Earned a feature story placement on Volunteer Roll of Honor member Barbara Hughes to be published Aug. 1 by the Sun Journal. Access the story here.
- Completed draft of strategic communications plan, which will now be discussed during the August Communications Task Force meeting.
- Collaborated with the Office Administrator to produce a blog post to highlight Maine Energy AmeriCorps program member Collen Hendricks' pandemic response volunteering with the Maine Emergency Management Agency. Access the story here.
Issues to be aware of
- Service Instigator Public Service Announcement (PSA) production pivot: Communications Task Force members agreed with a pivot to engage Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism award winners and made their best efforts to engage the individuals in the project but collectively had no luck. With the PSA contract expiring at the end of November, the Communications Officer will propose pausing all efforts until the new contract begins in Jan. 2022. The Communications Officer will also propose a digital-first launch of the campaign in November before moving to broadcast in Jan. 2022. In the meantime, Volunteer Maine will use the new television PSA produced by AmeriCorps along with a mix of AmeriCorps-focused, general volunteerism-focused, and emergency response-focused radio PSAs through the life of the 2021 contract.
- 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.
Major focus of effort in the next month
- Submitting final batch of creative for Public Service Announcement program, which runs through November.
- Establish 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.
- Collaborating with Program Office for Volunteer Initiatives to organize a service project for 9/11 Day of Service.
- August edition of Volunteer Fare monthly newsletter.
- Begin planning for National Service Recognition Day at the Capitol in October.
- Begin planning for AmeriCorps Launch (induction) in October.
- Creating and distributing press release on 2021 AmeriCorps funding announcements.
- Finishing work on blog post highlighting reflection talks given by Main Street Fellows AmeriCorps Program members.
Other activity
- None to report. Thanks for reading!
Prepared by Communications Officer Bryan Roche