NMRWA Outreach & Communications

1. NMRWA Outreach &Communications

2. Communications and Outreach Mission • to regularly communicate the mission, goals, general information, events and news, programs and projects of NMRWA through a variety of means and the media. • Includes developing NMRWA brand recognition, monthly articles for media, a Speakers Bureau • Result? new members, a more informed membership and members of the general public on issues affecting water and wastewater operations in rural New Mexico.

3. The Committee Blueprint • Event-oriented outreach • Regular news (at least quarterly) • General information • Crisis or emergency notifications

4. Event-Oriented Outreach • Purpose: to make and stay in contact with key leaders and the general public through three types of events – local/regional, state or national

5. Local Events • Know when there are local events such as • Business-after-Hours • Monthly Political Meetings • Monthly Water Association or District meetings • Parades, Town hall meetings, County meetings, etc. • Attend to listen & learn, and speak on water issues • Subscribe to all local email lists to stay in touch and to notify others; • set up a NMRWA email group in your area

6. State Events • State and Regional Hearings, Meetings, Training events • The Governor is in town! Attend. • Attend, have NMRWA hand outs, copies of NMRWA information; give-out left over NMRWA pins • Offer to host events in your region or community • Meet with your Legislators a couple of times per year outside of the Legislative session.

7. National Events • Know your U.S. Senators and Representatives; have their contact information at your fingertips • Communicate with them on key issues. • Know when they will be in your town or region. Attend. Be prepared with a prepared statement in writing and be flexible enough to speak “off-the-cuff” • Be prepared to attend to make yourself known • Even if it is just a hand shake

8. Regular News • Get an NMRWA article into your local newspaper(s) at least each quarter, on your local radio or TV if you have it. • Set up a Google Alert group on New Mexico water issues; forward timely information to others • See or hear about a water-related issue? Get a copy and forward to Debra Ingle or to Matt Holmes

9. Water rights issues Court cases involving water Water and Energy issues NMED Surface and Ground Water Quality Bureau notices NMED Liquid Waste Bureau notices NMED Energy Conservation and Management Division opportunities Training Opportunities State and Federal Grant and Loan funding opportunities Water System Jobs Promote Topics of NMRWA Interest

10. Recruit New NMRWA Members Have a System or Individual membership packet or web addresses ready to hand to prospective members.

11. Encourage NMRWA Members to Sign up for the NMRWA Grassroots Network Newsletter • Go to NMRWA website and sign up there.

12. Speakers Bureau • Identify 2 – 3 people in your region who are capable of and willing to speak to small groups on water topics • Work with NMRWA to bring in Executive Director and Board members to speak if needed • Publicize their availability

13. Develop a Media Contact List • Local newspapers have a state-wide media guide • Include names, titles, phone numbers, mailing address, email address • Set up media email list to send information of importance to key media individuals

14. Key Players • New Mexico Press Association Directory (www.nmpress.org) has all newspapers • The Albuquerque Journal and the El Paso Times • Albuquerque and El Paso Commercial Television Stations • Albuquerque, Portales and Las Cruces Public Television stations

15. On the Radio.net www.ontheradio.net has a comprehensive list of New Mexico radio stations

16. Develop Social Media Outlets • Customers under age 50 increasingly use social media to communicate • Twitter for short messages (142 characters) • Facebook for pictures • May not use email

17. Questions?