CC Minutes - 09/21/11 Work Session

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information from other communities and organizations, including the University of Oregon. She briefly noted the members of the Steering Committee, who included Kelly Darnell, Stewart Ramsing, Alana Holmes, Libby Tower, Jo Eppli, Melinda McLaughlin, Eric Jones, Ms. Bohman, and Assistant City Manager Medary. She shared a series of slides that illustrated the values staff had focused on, which included community service, quality of life, stewardship, sustainability and human rights, and leadership and collaboration and then shared some key words that staff believed described the organization and how it worked. The words included "welcoming," "engaging," "service- oriented," "responsive," "professional," "caring," "respectful," "good steward," and "innovative." Ms. Bohman then shared fortune cookies with the council that contained fortunes with one of the key words as well as a statement about one of the services provided by the City of Eugene that illustrated that word. Ms. Bohman anticipated that the City would develop a communications guide for employees that provided guidance on the use of words and images. Ms. Bohman highlighted the goals of the City's communications strategy and shared draft proposed actions associated with each goal (listed below each goal): Build the positive relationship and understanding between the community and the City. • Proactively identify meaningful City stories • Find new and better ways to communicate City stories Support all City employees, elected officials, and volunteers to be communicators and story tellers Continue to work with traditional media and look for new strategies for effectiveness Present a cohesive identity of the City organization. • Consistently incorporate core messages throughout City communications • Implement consistent use of City visuals and identifying elements • Find and use opportunities to present a more full, integrated range of City services Inform community members and actively support their involvement in the work of the City. • Use new website to engage people online • Increase use of video and social media • Implement public participation guidelines Create City communications that are accessible and responsive to the community and its diverse groups and cultures. • Implement public participation guidelines • Work with our communication partners to know and help get out our messages • Provide staff with language tools and resources • Identify diverse community audiences and their communication needs, best avenues for communication Ms. Bohman reported that the City was working with a new vendor, Civic Plus, on the organization's new Web site. She shared some of the input the Steering Committee had received from City staff, the City Council, and the public about what was desired on the Web site. She invited questions. MINUTES— Eugene City Council September 21, 2011 Page 2 Work Session