AGENDA #9a
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: Catherine Lazorko, Town Information Officer
SUBJECT: Interior Bus Posters
DATE: March 8, 2006
We recommend budgeting $1,000 for the printing and display of interior posters in Chapel Hill Transit buses. The posters are part of a communication outreach program designed to stimulate interest in serving on the Town’s boards and commissions. Recruitment efforts traditionally have focused in February and March for appointments made in May and June. The use of bus posters would help convey this message year-round and complement other communications strategies.
The printing of 90 bus posters in one-color costs about $400. There is an additional nominal fee from Chapel Hill Transit to non-profit groups to display their posters in all 86 buses during a three-month cycle. Our proposal is to print two different designs and rotate the posters throughout the year.
In response to a Town Council request for a larger and more diverse applicant pool for board and commission appointment, the Town Clerk and Town Information Officer have been working together to develop strategies to reach new audiences. The Council appoints members to 17 standing boards and commissions and numerous ad-hoc committees. The volunteers who serve make policy recommendations to the Council.
Vacancies for boards and committees will continue to be advertised in local newspapers, the Town website and on Government Access Cable Channel 18.