1. Helping to bring government to the people, through better communication
Mentioned at two trainings I attended this year as easy way to get the word out
I reached out to vendor for more information

2. Prior methods of public outreach
BY ISLAND COUNTY
Press Release
Mail-out
Website
Distribution List
Press Release; sometimes published, sometimes not – sometimes read, sometimes not, many people do not subscribe
Mail-out; for PW usually project specific, to geographic area
Website; sometimes difficult to navigate, dependent on citizen looking for, and finding information
; multiple distribution lists that are topic specific, other issues covered later
Open Houses; dependent on ‘getting the word out’ by one of the other methods, sometimes only 1 – 2 people attend
Not shown, but sometimes used by public works – going door-to-door
Public Open House / Meeting

3. What is govdelivery?
govDELIVERY is the largest sender of digital information on behalf of government agencies
“From automated distribution of web content to beautifully crafted newsletters, engage with more of your audience through today’s most effective digital channels”
‘Digital Information’ includes all of these items
I would recommend starting with , probably as that’s my comfort zone – why it’s highlighted
How it works; 1) automated notification of website change, minimal new staff work – review and approve, gets the word out to people that have signed up for that topic 2) send out press releases, open houses, mail-outs – minimal new staff work, input to and review and approve, 3) create newsletters using templates (EXAMPLE) – looks inviting, ranges from slightly more to lots more staff work.
Example of paving updates currently posted on web. Could be minimal effort to review and approve web update . Or, could be slightly more to enter into standard verbage and distribute. Option is out there for more involved newsletters, etc… Facebook Example

4. VALUE - branding
Consistent Look and Feel

5. Value – Outreach Synergy
Increases public outreach
Common Enrollment Lists Includes all Topics
Allows public to sign up for multiple interests
Promotion through other Public Agency’s Enrollment
Mentioned briefly earlier, citizens can sign up for what they are interested in – example
One benefit is that when they are signing up for one item (example paving updates) they may see something else, say in planning, that they would like to receive updates on.
Also, promoted on other agencies’ signup lists, example
Distribution choices are also available, daily, weekly

6. COMMON ENROLLMENT

7. PROMOTION

8. ADDED VALUE Email Distributions are one-way
Subscribers cannot see other addresses
Subscribers cannot ‘reply to all’
ADDED VALUE
Poll Questions
Advanced features allow polling
Can automate
Facebook post
Website update

9. Benefits multiple departments
Current Categories
Potential Categories
Public Works
Planning
Public Health
Sheriff’s Office
Treasurer’s Office
Commissioners Office
Assessor’s
Auditor’s
Human Services
Human Resources

10. Island County Public works topics
Weather Updates
Doing Business with
Mapping Center
Roads by District
Notifications
Project Updates
Parks & Trails
Solid Waste
Success Story:
Public Input to the Transportation Improvement Plan

11. A year in numbers 274 Bulletins Sent 470,000 Recipients
175,000 Unique Opens
Island County population: 85,000

12. Continued Increase in Subscribers
3400
5400
7000
1000 unsubscribed

13. Source of Subscribers

14. Major Network Contributors

15. Cost & Start-up $18,000 per year Implementation Time / Cost
Based on population of 85,000
Implementation Time / Cost
4-6 weeks
Primarily identifying county sign-ups
$2,300