Communications Committee Report: August 17, 2017

Attending: Dorene Albury, Carolyn Stevens, Ninnette Toney

Absent: Patti Cass

The Committee discussed its mission and determined it to be to keep the entire neighborhood, and not just FWECA members, informed. To that end, the Committee is setting out to produce three newsletters (Fall, Winter, Spring) and a Directory, as well as providing occasional flyers to promote activities and events. The Committee proposes that the Directory be given to paid FWECA members, the other materials to every household in order to encourage their engagement in the community and FWECA.

Carolyn will produce the Fall newsletter, and ask Patti Cass to review the draft. Dorene will then take over as editor, compiling and drafting information for Carolyn's review (as copy editor) for the Winter and Spring Issues. Topics for the Fall newsletter include: membership appeal and form; WSSC work update; Fall clean up and property standards information; Board Roster, Committee names, purposes and chairs; County leaf collection information; status of Proud Mary since the federal government took over the marina; promoting the Fall Fling; recruiting Block Captains; aggressively promoting the use of Next Door. The publication and distribution schedule will be driven by the date of the Fall Fling. The Committee discussed the value of securing ads from local businesses, but currently lacks the manpower to seek ads. Prospects named included Darrah's Cafe, Charlie's, Asian Star, Royal Flush Plumbing and Sophia, who does dog-sitting at her home.

The Committee requests the Board's approval of distributing the Fall Clean-up flyer designed by Government and Public Utilities Committee member Paul Arneson.

Patti Cass has agreed to edit the Directory. Clem will provide the membership data. Dorene will work on the text sections, such as the Board Roster, FWECA description and FWECA history. Ninnette is confirming all of the Frequently Called Numbers. The Committee expressed a preference for keeping the traditional format, since it is what people are accustomed to using and many folks like to store their directories in the same place that might not accommodate a larger publication. The Committee yields to the wisdom of the Board on this point. Advertising is recommended, but we need more hands on deck to secure it. The timeline and budget for the publication will be established at the next Communications Committee meeting, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. It is hoped that James Hicks, who also expressed interest in Communications, will be able to join an evening meeting.