Microsoft word - marketing committee minutes 6-8-09

GUESTS:
Nick Hoffman
Patty McEwan
WELCOME / VISITOR RECOGNITION / PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Wagner welcomed the participants to the webinar at 2:02 p.m. There was no public
comment.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Ehrhart made a motion to approve the October 24, 2008, January 7, 2009, and April 6,
2009 Marketing Committee Minutes as presented. Ms. Frantz seconded the motion. All
were in favor. Motion passed and carried.
As a side note, Sister Miriam Mashank has asked to be removed from this Committee.
GOAL 1: UTILIZE SOCIAL NETWORKING TOOLS TO PROMOTE
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Hoffman was presented with the task of researching and providing a demonstration of
Twitter, Facebook, and Linked In.
(i) REVIEW OF WEB BASED SOCIAL NETWORKING TOOLS CREATED
IN TWITTER, FACEBOOK, AND LINKED IN
Mr. Hoffman explained that he would demonstrate all three examples of social
networking tools which are all free services.
He began by showing the RCWE Facebook webpage which shows fans, the location,
events, photos, and a newsfeed area. A discussion board and review section is also
included. Of note, there were unsolicited advertisements on the right hand side and
they will always be there. The group was somewhat familiar with Facebook.
Page 1 of 5
Mr. Hoffman showed the Twitter account which was started for the Healthcare
Industry Partnership. Twitter is being used extensively by other organizations. You
can use your cell phone to receive quick blurbs or “mini press releases”. The
committee did not appear to be familiar with Twitter.
He then brought up a Linked In webpage. It contains a discussion board, news,
available jobs, and members. Members are able to email each other. You may adjust
the settings to control how much messaging comes through.
Discussion was held among the participants.
(ii) DISCUSS OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING OPTIONS
Mr. Hoffman discussed another option called Ning which is similar to Linked In but doesn’t have quite as large of a following yet. It also contains news, forum, calendar, and activity section. You may make your own tabs and there is space at the top to be able to customize the page more. Once you join, you can email individual members. Discussion ensued. Mr. Hoffman explained that SharePoint was another option. It is possible to have some in-house training with a SharePoint designer. Mark Canfield of Software Technologies have expressed concern about the security of using third party applications (Facebook, Linked In… etc). Mr. Hoffman demonstrated the WIB page he created through Google Groups. It contains a discussion board. You are able to create pages and upload files. It has a 100 megabyte limit. Discussion was held about these other options. The WIB Board wants to head towards technology where they can work and communicate. (iii) NEXT STEPS
This Committee would like to see more exploration of Linked In. It’s been around longer and is more recognizable. Twitter is possibly a good way to communicate with the media. Ning may need to be looked at by Board Development.
GOAL 2: ENHANCE AND MAINTAIN THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
NETWORK WEBSITE TO ALLOW FOR MORE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
(i) DISCUSS WEBSITE 5/4/09 MEETING OUTCOMES
Mr. Hoffman stated that following the May 4, 2009 WIB Meeting, Board
Members expressed dissatisfaction with the website. A meeting was called with
Dr. Richard Gacka, Kerry Schwab, David VanAmburg, Ken Smith, and Mark
Canfield where it was stressed that we were to be developing a Regional
Workforce Development Network website. The current website is
www.nwpawib.org indicating that it should be a WIB website. RCWE staff email
addresses have NWPAWIB extensions. We already have some web domains
Page 2 of 5
purchased. The Board feels there is a lack of description and lack of distinction
on the current website. Board members feel that the website tries to do too much;
there are over 40 pages which affects cost. They also feel that navigation is
unclear, too much space is used for flash images, there need to be better
descriptions, and they don’t like it when the drop down bars cover up the pictures.
There is a question as to whom or which Committee should be making
recommendations.
The Board Members expect 3 outcomes by August 2009: (1) a Process Map to
address the flow issues (they want to be able to get anywhere on the site within 3
clicks); (2) like to see text descriptions expanded on; and (3) add more
CareerLink information on the website (ex: ITA, data).
(ii) STATUS UPDATE ON WEBSITE
This has already been covered.
(iii) DISCUSS WEBSITE PROJECT QUOTE
RCWE staff met with Stellar Media regarding creating a video for STEM and it
was mentioned at the meeting that they are capable of creating websites. This led
to a discussion on using our current website but streamlining and developing
further. Stellar Media Works provided a quote found in our meeting packet
today. They have encouraged collapsible content and promised a calendar with
color coding. They would be able to provide an email newsletter. Uploading
would be easy. RCWE has also started to speak to Slater Crawford regarding
subcontracting some of the technical writing to him. It’s possible that he could
also do the newsletter.
The current website cost about $14,000 for development. The Stellar quote to
revamp is at an estimated cost of $3,385 - $4,525. It would need to go out for
RFP because we are over the spending limit.
(iv) OTHER OPTIONS FOR RESOLVING WEBSITE ISSUES
Other comments made were we want to make sure that the events are kept up-to-
date. The CareerLinks should be stressed. We need to encourage more
participation in the group. We need to invite other Board Members to attend the
next Marketing Committee meeting. Anticipate 2 months before anything can be
started as the RFP needs put together and responses reviewed. We may
specifically invite Ken Smith, David VanAmburg, and Dr. Richard Gacka attend
the Marketing Committee meetings to give their input.
(v) NEXT STEPS
• RFP
• Set meeting with Marketing Committee, Dr. Gacka, Mr. VanAmburg,
and Mr. Smith
• Any further suggestions should be emailed to Mr. Hoffman and cc:
Mr. Wagner
Page 3 of 5
Ms. Lewis commented that there may not be a need for the newsletter once this takes off and she encouraged writing articles about actual news instead of what we have done in the past. GOAL 3: UTILIZE DEVELOPED COMMUNICATIONS PLAN TO
CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE THE MARKETING EFFORTS OF WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHWEST REGION
(i) COMMUNICATIONS PLAN STATUS UPDATE
Discussion was held regarding whether or not the Marketing Committee had the
power to approve the Communications Plan or did it need to go before the whole
Board. Mr. Hoffman admitted that he had not had time to work on the
Communications Plan and that the same steps from the last meeting needed to be
repeated below.
Discussion was also held regarding the feedback of the Committee and possibly
sending an email request for feedback prior to the Board meetings.
(ii) NEXT STEPS
• Mr. Hoffman will obtain Ms. Zieziula’s input on the Plan.
• Mr. Hoffman needs to finalize the themes of the Plan.
• Mr. Hoffman needs to finalize and define further the goals of the Plan.
• Include Board on revisions.
(i) STIMULUS FUNDING COMMUNITY FORUM UPDATE
Mr. Hoffman explained that a couple options had been explored, one being using
WQLN to facilitate the forum which would have cost $5,000. Other WIBs were
using their public Board Meetings to offer the public comment required by the
Stimulus funding. It was noted that the public Policy & Program Coordination
Meeting recently held was advertised to generate any public discussion.
(ii) STIMULUS FUNDING PRESS EVENT UPDATE
Mr. Hoffman explained that the press event was to be coupled with the
community meetings and although RCWE is not opposed to the idea, it just
doesn’t seem feasible at this time.
(iii) E-NEWSLETTER
Mr. Hoffman stated that an e-newsletter was sent out approximately one month
ago to 2,000 contacts. The data gathered regarding how the newsletter was
viewed will be reviewed at the next meeting.
Page 4 of 5
(iv) POSITION CHANGES
Mr. Hoffman explained that in the near future he would no longer be the staff
liaison for the Marketing Committee. He is morphing into a new position at
RCWE where he will be focused on developing a green focus. RCWE is looking
for Mr. Hoffman’s replacement. Currently Mr. Hoffman is responsible for events
and that portion is being shifted to Ms. McEwan and Ms. Watkins at RCWE.
(v) WEBINAR REVIEW
The group offered their thoughts with regard to the first Marketing Committee
webinar today. The Committee likes it but wouldn’t want to use it every time.
The teleconference portion has a few sound issues. The PowerPoint format of the
meeting packet was very helpful.
REVIEW NEXT STEPS
• Mr. Hoffman will continue to explore Linked In and Twitter.
• An RFP will be sent out for the website redesign.
• Mr. Hoffman will schedule a meeting between the Marketing Committee, Dr.
Gacka, Mr. VanAmburg, and Mr. Smith.
• Any Committee Member that has any other suggestions about the website,
meetings, etc. should email them to Mr. Hoffman and make sure to cc: Mr.
Wagner.
• The WIB will be included on the revisions of the Communications Plan.
• Mr. Hoffman will obtain Ms. Zieziula’s input on the Communications Plan.
• Mr. Hoffman needs to finalize the themes of the Communications Plan.
• Mr. Hoffman needs to finalize and define further the goals of the
Communications Plan.
NEXT MEETING
The next Marketing Committee meeting will be held on August 3, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
ADJOURN
Mr. Ehrhart made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Frantz seconded the motion. All were in
favor. The meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Patty McEwan Receptionist/Clerical Assistant Regional Center for Workforce Excellence NH/Marketing Committee Minutes 6-8-09 Page 5 of 5

Source: http://portal.nwpawib.org/sites/wibdocs/marketing/Documents/Minutes/Marketing%20Committee%20MINUTES%206-8-09.pdf