This page documents the things we do that could loosely be considered outreach. What else could be included? See 'Other Outreach Activities' at the bottom.
The Outreach Committee (per bylaws) shall:
Nextdoor.com is used semi-officially by CVNA for posting of meeting notices, and always linking to collinsview.org for special reports, details, minutes, SW News blurb, and so on, rather than posting files on nextdoor itself.
Editorial comment: While many people may be on Facebook or Twitter, many are not. Nextdoor seems to have way more coverage, but it has a lot of noise on it, just like Facebook and Twitter. I think there is no way to feature CVNA posts, without making a 'Group' on Nextdoor. Groups were fantastically a flop it seems. It seems like Neighborhood Associations ought to have some special 'standing' with Nextdoor - as city bureaus do, but Neighborhoods themselves do not. --jm
Our outreach person regularly posts 'service to the community' items to Nextdoor. These items may come in to our neighborhood email address. (?)
Mail Chimpmailing list for a CVNA-only newsletter
The idea is to publish a periodic Collins View newsletter in a nice format. Southwest Neighborhood Inc (SWNI), our district coalition office, pays for this service. The newsletter has yet to launch, but we are building up the list. Click on [SIGN UP] to sign up.
Question: Could MailChimp be used as a primary tool for people who are serious about being informed of CVNA matters, but who can't attend meetings? (Ie de-emphasize NextDoor).
The concept of a 'Welcome Wagon' basket is being developed and tested... Welcome Letter Card with the CVNA info on one side and Fred Meyers Community Rewards on the other. Recent copy of the SW News. Note: They can (must) call SWNI and sign up for free. Local businesses Example goodies Tryon creek grill (Menu) Market of Choice 'Savories' magazine Fred's awards info/card? Mention business directory on the web site. NET red/green Help/OK signs water dropper and chlorine table emergency phone numbers magnet How can we reach newcomers? Periodically ask newcomers to self-identify on Nextdoor. (This is actually encouraged by Nextdoor when account is created.) The outreach chair would contact them and ask if they'd like the stuff.
We have this website, and it is underutilized. For example the Fred Meyer Rewards card has a page, but that seems to be forgotten quickly.
Whenever the opportunity arises, neighbors should be directed to the site for info.
Website are passive in that people must to go to them. They don't just jump out at the user like social media posts do. People need to be reminded to go to ta website, or otherwise 'driven' to look. But at least it is available on line, 24x7.
The photo at the top of the page shows one of the 'lawn' signs put out to remind peeps that a meeting is coming up. These are standard lawn sign size on a metal wicket. The signs are put up a few days ahead by an outreach volunteer. (These signs have our website address)
The Agendas page [LINK] on the Collins View website links to Google Drive which archives previous agendas. The page gives instructions for accessing.
Process:
boardemail address
For the Board, email to board@collinsview.org could have the agenda attached as a PDF.
For Nextdoor, the upcoming meeting should just be announced, noting any special speaker or program.
Problem: If the agenda is prepared on the Wednesday before the meeting, and sent to web guy and SWNI that afternoon, there is little time for SWNI to post and the other steps above to take place.. especially if there is a holiday or vacation day for someone.
Google Drive has all the Minutes. The Collins View website does have any Minutes and does not need updating with the Minutes. See: [Google Drive].
We follow a process similar to the Agenda process above, for Minutes.
Process:
Secretary should keep the minutes in a word processing document of some kind, but export as PDF for distribution in email and placing on the web / google drive.
Explanation: Each 'hood in the SWNI coalition contributes an article for the monthly SW News — originally a tabloid paper, now an on-line PDF of the whole tabloid.
See SWNI Home page to read the whole newsletter [SWNI Home]. and see our collection of [CVNA articles]
Article consists of headline, text, photo or two.
Standard sub-headline has collinsview.org, etc..
Topic must be of general interest to the neighborhood (CV-related material)
Process:
Note: The web guy currently inserts anY photos into the docx and generates a PDF which includes the photos. That PDF is placed on the website.
Current File Naming Convention for web:
JAN2019.pdf
Tip: Starting in 2019, articles will be located at an address like this http://collinsview.org/SWNews/JAN2019.pdf
Prior to the annual picnic, NET, FoRVNA, and other volunteers go Door to Door canvassing the 'Hood with postcard-sized flyers!
Two double-sided cards are delivered with these five topics: Collins View Neighborhood Association, Fred Meyer Rewards, and the Picnic each have one full side. NET (Neighborhood Emergency Team) and FoRVNA (Friends of River View Natural Area) share a side on one of the two cards.
The mandated Action Plan could be used for outreach purposes, to promote the associations work.
Maybe there are ways people could be involved /other/ than attending meetings! Like working on some related projects and reporting in writing or even on Nextdoor.
Link to our Action Plan PDF is on the Projects & Issues [PAGE].
A compelling set of special topics could help get newcomers to turn out for meetings or become involved somehow in one of our committees (NET, Parks, Safety, ...)
The [picnic] has been our biggest outreach event in the past. participation in potluck / cookie exchange at our December meeting has waned.
What else are we doing for outreach? What else could do we do?
Example: Placing 11x14 or 8x14 posters around the neighborhood (businesses, college, other public places).