Athens in Motion Commission

Athens in Motion Education & Communications Sub-committee Meeting May 16, 2022 Attending Daniel Sizemore ACCGov TPW Sarah Johnson – Toole Design Group Henry Cohen – Toole Design Group Carly Evans – AiMC Teresa Friedlander – AiMC Randy Halstead – AiMC Scott Long – Bike Athens Minutes Meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm Discussion: ● Recap of feedback regarding communication needs ● Communication & outreach strategy purpose ● Best practices & examples ○ How to best reach the target audience ○ Strategies for planning and promoting events ○ Classification for message type and importance When and how frequently to deliver messages ● Building the Strategy ○ Goals – 3 – 5 goals for the Communication Strategy might include - Identifying target audiences (i.e., drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, Mayor & Commission, transit users, general public, Game Day visitors, visitors from surrounding areas, commuters, incoming UGA students, newly licensed drivers, etc.) - Messaging schedule and coordination - Coordinating with other organizations and entities - Framework and guidelines for using communications tools effectively  ○ How to identify and reach target audience? ○ Develop “Best Practices” for communication. Does AiMC want to use a social media scheduling app? This would require a commitment on the part of the Commission to generate content and post periodically. (Apps include Hootsuite, Tweetdeck, and Buffer) ○ Avoid “reinventing the wheel” by using tried and true methods such as yard signs, fliers, coordinating with Safe Routes to Schools, Bike Athens, etc. ○ Messaging goals aimed at reducing crashes, explaining projects, attracting new users, encouraging public engagement, etc.). We need to lock down the AiM identity and continuously reintroduce ourselves to Mayor and Commission and the general public. It is important to reach deeper into marginalized communities whose needs are greatest and who might be impacted in unanticipated ways. AiMC should be seen as completely non-political and function as a forum for the public to weigh in on transportation safety projects and programs. ○ AiMC needs a carefully thought out schedule for public events so the Commissioners do not get burned out or turn into background noise. ● Next Steps: Thursday, June 2 – Toole will present draft of Communication and Outreach Strategy (including strategy toolkit) and final Branding and Marketing Templates Tuesday, June 14 – AiM’s comments on the draft strategy are due back to Toole Thursday, June 23 – Toole will deliver the final Communication & Outreach Strategy (draft for final sign-off) Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 5:17 pm