Communications Task Force: May 2021

Present

  • Commissioners: Chair Jenifer Tilton Flood, Julia Fiori, Jessica Nixon, Matthew L'Italien
  • Staff: Bryan Roche

The Communications Task Force met electronically for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 and discussed the following: 

Legislative update

Tilton Flood reported to the group that she had no additional news to report at the time of the meeting surrounding LD 722 and LD 1010. LD 722 passed the Maine House and Senate at the end of April, so no further efforts are required. Tilton Flood thanked the task force for its work to date.

ADDENDUM 5/20/21: LD 1010 passed the Maine House on May 19.

'Service Instigator' Public Service Announcement update and previews

Tilton Flood asked Roche to share an update on the "Service Instigator" campaign. Roche reported that efforts to secure subjects has been tougher than expected, but praised the Task Force for its collective commitment to the project. Fiori shared a positive update regarding one potential subject, who is very interested in participating and simply missed the first email request. Fiori mentioned she will provide an update once available. Roche mentioned he knows of a few folks from the staff team's network that could help us out for this round. Tilton Flood also mentioned she will follow up once more with a group of potential subjects who have expressed interest.

Roche then shared a preview of the broadcast TV and radio spots, which he produced using test interviews and the completed recording of the John Portela's host portions.

Staff report

Tilton Flood invited Roche to provide a report on ongoing Communications activity:

  • Roche reported on a week-long effort, May 9-15, to recognize Maine AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers by producing impact stats and service stories for the website, Facebook and Twitter. This was done in place of Senior Corps week, a national celebration of all-things Senior Corps (now AmeriCorps Seniors), which was not observed this year by the federal agency.
  • Roche provided a preview of the first PSA match report, which was provided a few days prior to the meeting. Albeit a quarterly report, the Volunteer Maine PSA contract with Maine Association of Broadcasters (MAB) did not begin until March so there is only one month of results. Due to a delay in the AmeriCorps Federal Office as well as a backup in "Service Instigator" production, PSAs are currently only running on radio. Roche walked through the numbers to help identify advocates. He wrapped my mentioning the need for a successful final two quarters of the contract in an effort secure enough match funding. A full quarter one report will be provided prior to the June meeting.
  • Roche shared with the group that he anticipates further delays in the rollout of a storytelling-based strategy to support the initiatives of the Commission. Roche cited the sudden loss of Maine Volunteer Foundation support, as he is the designated staff liaison and fills the role when there is not a support person. Tilton Flood expressed a desire to find ways to pursue the storytelling strategy, for both the Commission's efforts as well as MVF efforts.

Additional items

  • Tilton Flood, who has been nominated as the next Volunteer Maine Commission Chair, will continue next month as the acting Task Force chair while candidates to fill the role are being discussed among Commission leadership.
  • Tilton Flood reminded the group that non-Commissioners can join a Volunteer Maine Task Force and encouraged folks to recruit new members to Communications and Public Policy.

Next meeting: Wednesday, June 9, 4-5 p.m.