1	Building a Public Awareness Program. . . It’s No Small Chore. A Partnership Model To Make It Easier. Dr. Janet Cherrington Minnesota State University September 21, 2003
2	Start By . . . Partnering with an area univ/college. MSU, URSI graduate class undertook it as a city mgmnt. studio project. Instructor partnered with graphics production instructors at an area technical school to do one part of the project.
3	Class Project Objectives I. Develop citizen and youth awareness of the value & importance of professional management in today's communities. II. Increase overall understanding of media relations for public managers.
4	Methodology Target a City Choose a city and contact its city mgr. Inquire about city’s willingness to assist students in gathering necessary inf. Students/city mgr. brainstorm project outcomes. Ask for the city council’s endorsement (and funding if any req’d).
5	Methodology The Technical School Brainstorm designs, formats & timelines to develop a community brochure. Discuss costs, materials, etc. Select a student point person. Develop a production schedule & set meeting times b/t student point persons.
6	Methodology Other Details Contact professional photographers, newspapers, ICMA & request permission to use their materials. Implement the project into a course. Seek out technology help. Network with media relations people.
7	The University’s Role Decide on public awareness program components (brochure, video, radio clips, etc.) Construct the studio project syllabus. Elect a point person to work with instructor to track all meetings & outside communication. Develop student-driven incremental field projects.
8	The University’s Role Incorporate an Action-Item (AI) List. Implement a PERT chart. Conduct weekly status meetings & update AI list. Instructors & point persons periodically meet with city, graphics students &any others involved. Re-evaluate: Add & subtract as needed.
9	Our Field Project List Assemble data & photos for brochure. Edit ICMA brochure layout & narrative to fit our city. Develop a local government fact sheet (ours to fit into the brochure). Meet/coordinate production with SCTC. Record new voice clips at radio station. Insert customized city narratives into video production.
10	Our Field Project List Edit public service announcement video last clip to include the city’s logo, etc. Prepare press releases & ask city to forward them to newspapers, radio stations, list serves, etc. Contact cable TV--ask to run PSA. Present public Awareness components to city council at public meeting.
11	The Media Invite media experts to speak to the class-- provided a future basis for networking. Include newspaper editors, TV news directors, cable TV coordinators, radio station announcers, any public or private PR people who might be interested.
12	Continue By . . . Increasing youth awareness of careers: Reach out, Listen, Educate Outreach letters to h. s. counselors. Review inf. on their career day formats. Submit an outline for a presentation on careers in local government management.
13	Once your on the program . . . Our Strategy: Target a high school student audience. Have an interactive presentation. Games to draw students into learning about the careers, salaries, etc. Have a question/answer session with a “real-life” city manager. Give them something to take home.
14	Other suggestions. . . Make it informal—graduate students talked informally about their career goals, academic achievements, internships, where they plan to be in 10 years. Wet their appetites with an exhibit board of youth leadership programs, city youth opportunities/contacts, council meeting schedules, etc.
15	Other suggestions. . . Talk about mentoring opportunities—URSI’s web page allows students to contact alumni. Graduate students provided their personal emails for follow-up questions.
16	Summary “Plan your work, work your Plan.” Public Awareness Programs should be fluid—so be flexible. Be energetic—but also strive to pace yourself.
17	Building a Public Awareness Program . . . Is no Small Chore. So why not try to partner with a university .
18	The End Janet.Cherrington@mnsu.edu