Tools for Engaging Your Community
In this working session, we get you set up with an email newsletter and social media, and we dig into how to tell the story of your climate work on a webpage or website.
Speaker: Vanessa Bertozzi, Partners for Climate Action
Recorded on April 15, 2021
Resource #1
Verify with your local official whether you're piggybacking on their tools or creating stand-alone
If your Board wants it (CSC does not require a resolution), make a copy of this model resolution for getting a stand-alone website and feel free to adapt it to your town
Resource #2
Go on a photo shoot!
Natural landscapes in your town and recognizable spots ("Welcome to X Town" sign, exterior of Town Hall, a landmark sculpture in the town square)
Places where climate smart-related projects have happened (solar on the highway garage, dam removal, waterfront reconstruction, bike racks, EV charging station, etc)
Screenshot of your Task Force on Zoom—or meetup socially distanced and take a group photo
Resource #3
Prepare your web content. Directions here.
Whether you’re doing a website or a simple page on your official town website, prepare this content at a minimum.
If you already have your amazing website, you still need a webpage on your official town site!
Use your photos from your photo shoot.
Resource #4
Set up an email newsletter. Use the slides for a step-by-step through MailChimp or use a different email service.
Resource #5
Register a social media account (Instagram or Facebook)
Follow other CSC feeds. Explore #climatesmart
Pick an example of a post to share with the cohort
Superstar: You're already doing your social media, so walk us through a post that performed well.
Create a social media policy for your Town Board to review first, if necessary.
Social Media Policy Examples
Resource #6
Pull it all together: Present to a friend or your Task Force.
Web: Share your content document and your plan
Superstar: You have both your website and webpage set up, so walk them through it!
Email newsletter: Send your first email newsletter to a friend for feedback.
Superstar: You're already doing your newsletter, so walk them through one performed well.
Social Media: Screenshot of an example of compelling social media from another account and tell them why you like it.
Superstar: If you've already been using social media, walk them through some of your posts that performed well. Tell them about an account you like to follow.