NPWW How To Guide: Getting Started
HOW TO GUIDE: GETTING STARTED
Topics in this section:
Obtain the organization's goals and objectives regarding the organization's responsibility to the public.
Set goals for the promotion of the organization.
Identify and study target audiences.
Develop objectives based on your goals for the celebration.
Develop strategies to meet objectives
Evaluate the success of the celebration
1. Obtain the organization's goals and objectives regarding the organization's responsibility to the public.
Typically, every structured organization has written goals and objectives, both short-term and long-term. These often are paraphrased into public statements of obligation. Examples are mission statements, standards of conduct and statements of purpose. The part of this statement that focuses on public obligations and responsibility is the raw material with which to build the framework for your plan. Every effort in your celebration should reflect the goals and objectives at the heart of your organization.
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2. Set goals for the promotion of the organization.
With the organization's goals and objectives firmly in mind, you can determine one or more goals for the promotion of the organization. You should express each goal in a goal statement. Goal statements are general, and describe what you want to accomplish during National Public Works Week.
Thought starters:
To increase public understanding of...
To generate corporate support for...
To enhance relationships with the community so that...
To gather and analyze public opinion of...
Once the overall message of the organization is clear and the goals for the celebration are set, you may turn your attention to the next task: defining one or more target audiences.
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3. Identify and study target audiences.
Whom are you trying to influence? Remember, your task is to evoke a desired response. You must identify and study those you want to influence so that you can refine your message and choose the most effective means to send the message. Once you define your target audience, you can refine your message so that it is appropriate for each audience.
Thought starters:
Taxpayers
School-age children
Public works employees and their families
Local media
Determining your target audiences prepares you to form messages that consider the unique needs of each group. Review the four sample target audiences above. What kind of message would each respond to most readily? How can you ensure the desired response? The key is knowing your target audience well enough to communicate the benefits they will receive from the information you have to share.
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4. Develop objectives based on your goals for the celebration.
The next phase is to develop objectives based on your goals. Objectives are more specific; they often are measurable. By setting measurable objectives, you lay the foundation for evaluating the success of your efforts. You have a record of what works and what falls short. You can celebrate documented success now and avoid pitfalls next year.
Thought starters:
Take two educational outreach programs to all community schools this year.
Increase radio and television air time devoted to public works by 50 percent.
Survey 500 citizens about their knowledge of a public works project.
5. Develop strategies to meet objectives.
Strategies are the specific events, activities, publications and other efforts designed to meet objectives. Committees will devote their efforts to the organization of all strategies and the recording of information for evaluation.
Thought starters:
Tours
Equipment demonstrations
Exhibits
Educational programs
Open house
Speakers bureau
Public service announcements
Questionnaires
6. Evaluate the success of the celebration.
To what degree did you meet your objectives? What have you learned? Evaluation enhances the feeling of accomplishment, celebrates success and provides a starting point for future efforts. Share this information openly with those who participate, and with APWA headquarters.
Thought starters:
Attendance records
Questionnaires
Media placement
Checklist for "Getting Started"
- Obtain organization's written goals and objectives regarding responsibility to the public.
- Develop goals for the promotion of the organization during National Public Works Week.
- Identify and study target audiences.
- Refine your message to reach target audience.
- Develop measurable objectives based on goals for the celebration.
- Evaluate the success of the celebration.
To Planning Calendar
Back to How To Guide Intro
Download a sample proclamation here
If you have questions about NPWW or art requests, please contact Jon Dilley via email or call 816-595-5251.
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