In February 2013, Sarah was invited to meet with a team of cabinet level communications directors from Kosovo. The group was visiting North Carolina as part of the International Affairs Council's International Visitor Leadership Program.
The group came to North Carolina to learn about communications during emergencies and times of crisis. The conversation focused on the details of best practices, including response procedures, working with other agencies, building relationships with the news media and using social media. There were also side conversations about making the most of a small budget and logistics and technology that make Joint Information Systems (JISs) successful.
In November 2012, Wake County voters will be asked to approve $200 million in bonds to support Wake Technical Community College.
The communications were a combined effort of the County and the Community college. In this partnership, Sarah's responsibilities were in creating web content and producing a video.
The video was distributed on cable access channels, YouTube and partner websites.
Presenting a $940 million budget to the public requires clear and consistent communications. Developing and executing a communications plan can present a challenge when details are evolving just a few days before the presentation.
For this project, Sarah coordinated the development of a graphics package which included a brochure, power point template, book cover and various website elements and buttons. She also developed a news release and contributed to the development of remarks, power point slides and website content.
The Budget-At-A-Glance (above) outlined
the recommended budget for the fiscal year 2013 for the public
in a concise and easy to understand format. The brochure highlights the top
priorities for the Board of Commissioners and explains where and how the funding
will be allocated.
The brochure, complete with intricate graphs
and features, was distributed to the public in only a few days between the time that the County
Manager finalized his recommended budget for fiscal year 2013 and the Board of
Commissioners held public hearings on the recommended budget.
Detention centers are unique facilities, designed to meet the needs of a community for half a decade or more. Because it is rare to open a detention center, there is no "standard" or routine business process for showcasing a new detention center. In May, Wake County opened its new Detention Center.
Ahead of the opening Sarah lead a planning team that coordinated both the ceremony and service change communications.
Opening ceremony projects included: invitation lists, invitation and program design and printing, ceremony logistics, remarks for several speakers, media relations and tour organization.
Service change communications included: a news release, media tours, television interview placements, web content and social media, way-finding signage and brochures.
Between 300 and 400 people attended the ceremony, with about 200 taking tours of the secure facility. A video was created to showcase the opening ceremony and new facility on the customer's monthly television show.
In prior years, the Board of Commissioners had received several formal reports from staff on the progress of each goal to review during the annual planning retreat. The video streamlined this process and shortened presentations while providing a starting point for discussion on future goals. Staff from approximately 12 work groups worked to collaborate to provide content for the video.
This video was also used as a segment for the County's monthly public access television show, WakeGOV
TV. Using the video for the monthly television show as well as a special project maximized resources to create a retrospective look at the progress of goals set by the Board.
WakeGOV TV is broadcast daily through Wake County’s network
of government cable channels, including RTN (Raleigh Television Network), CaryTV,
East Wake TV, Holly Springs TV, and Cooperating Raleigh Colleges Channel 18.
