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ITS Florida. Outreach and Advocacy. Presented to: ITS America State Chapters Strengthening Workshop Presented by: Anita Vandervalk, ITS Florida President. Presentation Outline. Chapter overview Why is outreach important? How does ITS Florida accomplish outreach? Resources
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ITS Florida Outreach and Advocacy Presented to: ITS America State Chapters Strengthening Workshop Presented by: Anita Vandervalk, ITS Florida President
Presentation Outline • Chapter overview • Why is outreach important? • How does ITS Florida accomplish outreach? • Resources • Lessons learned
ITS Florida Overview • Formed in 1992, affiliated with ITSA in 1994 • Fifteen years of advocacy for innovation in transportation technology for a safer Florida • Currently 116 members • Five committees (Events, Member Services, Management, Outreach, Professional Capacity Building) plus ITS Advisory Council • Priorities • Provide our partners with improved access to technology and institutional relationships • Work with partners to promote and demonstrate value to ITS (saving lives, time, money)
ITS Florida Mission To foster the application of ITS solutions in Florida by sharing ideas and timely information with our membership, stimulating public/private partnerships, advocating ITS deployment, offering guidance to policy managers, and encouraging interest and support of ITS throughout Florida.
Furthering Mission and Goals • All programs offered by ITS Florida are specifically tailored toward meeting its mission and goals • At our annual retreats – we review and update goals and objectives • All members of the board are very aware of the goals and meeting these goals is consistently emphasized in monthly board meetings
External Goals • Advocate ITS on behalf of our members • Promote the development and expansion of ITS markets • Provide members with information on current ITS markets and opportunities • Provide the premier forum for ITS information exchange among public, private and academic sectors • Promote collaboration among ITS stakeholders (Advisory) • Advise the FDOT ITS program on ITS issues
Internal Goals • Show leadership in regional and national ITS activities • Expand membership • Provide services responsive to member needs • Engage membership in chapter activities • Maintain a strong chapter structure • Maintain financial stability in all accounts • Provide effective Professional Capacity Building/Training
How We Accomplish Outreach • Consistently and systematically • Events • Legislative program • Communication • Awards program • Speakers bureau
Events • Biennial Transpo Conference • Co-hosted with ITE, FDOT and FHWA • 350 to 500 in attendance • 4 tracks of technical sessions • Significant networking and exhibiting opportunities • Keep track of lessons learned
Events, continued “How we help our members meet and grow as professionals” • Capacity building courses • ITS Florida Members Forum • Annual Meeting
Legislative Program • Legislative/media outreach package being developed • Systematic legislative plan • Monitoring bills • Local delegation meetings • “Adopt-A-Legislator” program
Communication • Interactive website • Disseminator • Coordination with FDOT in publishing news • News releases • Regular committee meetings • E-mail updates • E-Newsletters • Outreach and training series – Professional Capacity Building
Awards Program “Recognizing our members and their accomplishments” • Annual awards • President’s Award • Outstanding Achievement Awards • ITS Florida Member of the Year • ITS Professional of the Year • ITS Champion of the Year • Honor Roll Members • Scholarship program
Speaker’s Bureau/Team of Experts • Team of experts profiled in newsletters and web • Identification of sister agency speaking opportunities • Ready made PowerPoint and other materials
Other • Biennial member surveys • Liaisons/reciprocal membership with other organizations • Membership exhibit • At all major related conferences in Florida and ITSA • Materials and give-aways
Outreach to the public Outreach to legislators and administrative executives Outreach to other professional associations Goal: Advocate ITS on behalf of our members Maintain existing and obtain new reciprocal memberships FBT Annual Retreat – Continue to collaborate with FBT annually IBTTA ITE IEEE FL League of Cities FL Association of Counties National Conference on Minority Transportation Officials Transpo ITS Florida Annual Meeting Speakers Bureau – Complete MPO presentations and find other opportunities Identify university speakers and opportunities Develop articles for media and invite media to special events Develop white papers on board-determined hot topics for distribution to media Adopt a legislator – Update list and identify a representative for each legislator Transportation Commission – Meet with Mark Reichert to identify ideas
Goal: Promote the development and expansion of ITS markets Advocate the use of new ITS technologies Foster development of ITS performance measures Advocate the mainstreaming of ITS Prepare for VII Develop information exchange with vendors Support ITS/TIM performance measures through articles, presentations, and website Target MPOs for materials and presentations; prioritize MPOs where there is no ITS Florida member
Goal: Provide members with information on current ITS markets and opportunities Provide a dynamic and diverse Web site Provide periodic informational newsletters Share information from ITS America and other associations Up-to-date member profiles More industry info Improve website functionality and appearance Put articles on website Write updates for Disseminator Assign and maintain an ITS America liaison Assign and maintain a liaison with other associations Include in agendas to keep informed Support each other’s events and publications
ITS Florida Calendar • Lists monthly planning activities for committee chairs, administrator and Board • When to start planning scholarship, annual event, elections, awards etc.
Latest Outreach Activities • Two new subcommittees • Benefits of ITS • ITS technical solutions • Renewed targeted membership drive • Presentations to MPOs
New & Improved Website • The Harrington Group
Outreach Resources/Materials • Brochure • Business card with benefits of ITS Florida • PowerPoint presentations – in versions from 10 to 60 minutes • Legislative package
Lessons Learned “It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit.” • Tap into the experts • Be consistent • Find and keep the best • Times are changing – be flexible • Be sensitive to members needs • Have fun!