Greater FW Communication Strategy Team

Proposed Goal of Group:
Expand the reach of current social service & non-profit organizations via web 2.0 technology and grassroots communication strategies to do the following:
•    Tell the positive stories of transformation that is happening within FW
•    Connect greater community to volunteer/donation/support opportunities
•    Offset basic needs (food, temp shelter, transportation, etc) by providing easy points of entry
•    Enhance the spirit of a connected community
•    Provide opportunities so everyone can feel like they are a part of making FW great
•    Open the door for natural community development opportunities

Reason For Group
This group is the outcome of Mayor Henry’s efforts to united FW’s social service and non-profit community to listen, analyze, and work together to strengthen the system in which those in need can access services.

There were originally 3 groups dealing with the identification of basic needs going unmet, communication between agencies and how those in need and can access services, and finally, service delivery strategies. Of the 3 groups, two exist in their original direction with 1 group making a change into the purpose of this group.

What the basic needs group found was that there are no new basic needs going unmet as a result of no one providing those services. The reasons things are going unmet are due to lack of organization effectiveness or capacity.

The other thing this group found was that a large disconnect between organizational needs to greater community.

Purpose of Group
The purpose of this group is to answer the following questions and others by developing strategies and a communication structure/strategy.
•    Does the greater community know what the biggest needs are?
•    Do our organization make it easy for people to donate/get involved/volunteer?
•    Would you give more, smaller gifts more often if it is easier?
•    Would a unified communication strategy help?

Other Important Info
•    Deadline for written concept proposal is June 11 with a presentation on June 18th
•    There are City funds available to leverage if our proposal is accepted
•    This group is a mixture of non-profit and for-profit professionals
•    This might be one of the few opportunities to leverage these resources in these ways
•    The needs are increasing and now is the time to act
•    Andrew Hoffman, Exec Director of NeighborLink is leading this group
o    Andrew@nlfw.org or 710.7611


Meeting Times
•    Wednesdays – 5-6:30pm until June 10th – Past that is pending on approval
•    Rialto Theatre – Gallery – (between Finders Keepers & Theatre)
o    Park in Simpson United Methodist parking lot just north