Black Rock NRZ Outreach and Communications Committee

Meeting Minutes

February 22, 2007

Attendees: Tom Corso, AMS Consulting; Larry King, AMS Consulting; Tony Ferrantello; Gail Robinson; Patricia Scott; Kaye Williams; Phillip Young
Absent: Beverly Balaz

The Black Rock NRZ Outreach Committee meeting was held at 6:30 PM on February 22 at the Black Rock Arts Center. The initial charge of this committee is to create and implement an NRZ communication strategy which achieves maximum participation and information to all Black Rock neighborhood stakeholders. The committee was comprised of stakeholders who signed up at the initial meeting on January 29 and one additional member, Patricia Scott.

Budget & Resources
The committee began by reviewing its current budget and resources. The budget allocated to the committee is $1,500, but some expenses, such as postage will be picked up by the City, if they send the mailings out.

Current Outreach & Communications
The committee looked at four aspects of its current communications system: (1) NRZ blog, (2) Monthly Flyer, (3) Mailing Lists, and (4) Distribution of Flyers.

NRZ Blog - The committee decided to spend $50 per month for a dedicated blog page on the Black Rock Community Blog at http://blackrockonline.org/nrz/ as the blog site is easy to use, multiple authors can post, NRZ participants can make comments, and it is getting good traffic - 1,000 unique visitors in its first month of operation and 50-60 visitors a day. The $50 cost was based on the actual cost for the blog page that Gail pays to Blogging Systems LLC. Gail was asked to explain the use of the blog and prepare handouts for Monday’s NRZ meeting. Gail will contact Kristine DeMarco to report out on the Planners Selection committee meeting and Edie Cassidy on the Boundries meeting and post the information on the NRZ blog.

Monthly Flyer - Tony Ferrantello, a local architect, offered to talk to his contacts about pro bono graphic design work to make the flyers look more attractive. Patricia Scott offered to put the content in if the template and print the flyers and posters at work.

Mailing & E-Mail Lists - There does not appear to be a comprehensive mailing list or e-mail list on any organization’s database for Black Rock. Since the Mayor’s office sent out several letters to Black Rock residents on the utility bridge issue, Tom Corso offered to contact the Mayor’s office to see if that list can be used. Gail offered to look into the Constant Contact e-mail system, which can send out mass e-mails.

Distribution of Flyers - Flyers have been distributed to strategic locations. The committee decided that it would be helpful to tailor the flyers to specific audiences, e.g. P.T. Barnum residents, Black Rock business owners. Students at Longfellow, Black Rock, and St. Ann’s schools might also be able to take flyers home to their parents. The idea of holding a poster design contest among school children was raised as it would bring more attention to the NRZ and raise awareness with parents.

Public Relations - The committee agreed that public relations expertise was needed on the committee. A public relations professional residing in Black Rock will be contacted by Tom Corso. The Mayor’s office could send out press releases for the Black Rock NRZ.

Media - Public Access television has been used to record the NRZ workshops in the past. Gail will contact Sound View Media to see if there is someone who would be willing to film the workshops. The use of local radio, TV stations, and local newspapers was also discussed to promote the workshops as well as the Mayor’s office’s e-mail system and public relations releases.

• Radio:  WEBE 108 or NPR
• TV: Public Access (Soundview) and Cable 12
• Newspapers: Connecticut Post, Bridgeport News, Bridgeport Phoenix
• Internet: NRZ Blog at http://blackrockonline.org/NRZ/  Gail Robinson to post an editorial
• Street: light post flyers/flags  

Themes - A discussion ensued on tying the NRZ efforts into larger themes such as “One Coast, One Future” whereby several NRZ’s come together to speak with one voice on shoreline land uses, i.e. Black Rock, West End, South End, & East Side NRZs. The power of speaking with “one voice” on issues as a neighborhood was discussed as well.

Outreach - Outreach efforts will include: P.T. Barnum by the housing authority, renters in Black Rock, businesses (Miguel at Taco Loco will be contacted), Black Rock Senior Center, and churches (Phil Young will identify and obtain contact info).
Use strategic locations to communicate with non-members i.e. non-tech people, renters, merchants, etc., fringe merchants/Fairfield line:

1. Burroughs Community Center (Tom Corso to contact Kevin Simmons)
2. Churches (Phil Young will identify and obtain contact info)
3. Black Rock Senior Center (Tom Corso to contact Bonnie Roach)
4. Schools (need volunteer to contact Longfellow, Black Rock, & St. Ann’s schools)
5. PT Barnum Housing (via the city housing department)

Deadline - The committee identified its deadline for completing its planning tasks as mid-March.

Need to determine project timeline/timing March through June once planning consultant is on board.  Mayor wants input by July for integration into Master Plan.  Our communications plan is send information out a week prior to an NRZ workshop. 
 
Report Out - Gail will report the results of the Outreach committee meeting at the Black Rock NRZ meeting on Monday, February 26 at 6:30 PM at St. Ann’s School Hall Auditorium and create handouts on use of blog.

Next Meeting – Thursday, March 15, 2007

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