Communications Committee: Meetings & Calls

RFP Speaker's Bureau Conference Call
September 14, 2000

This conference call was announced in the Speakers' Bureau RFP to answer questions by potential bidders for the position of coordinator of the WRAP Speakers' Bureau.

Participants: Rich Halvey, Western Governors' Assn, RFP Administrator Al Zemsky, U.S. EPA, Co-Chair WRAP Communications Committee Barry Dill, Policy Development Group, Tucson, AZ Carlin Black and Scott MacDonald, Enviro-Tech Communications, Sacramento, CA Stella Noriega, Jane Powdrell & Partners, Albuquerque

Rich Halvey asked that any questions regarding the RFP be sent to him via e-mail at: rhalvey@westgov.org. He will submit answers to everyone on the call.

General introductions were made.

Functions of Communications Committee:

Al Zemsky provided a brief overview of the WRAP, its membership, stakeholder process, functions, products and project management by the Western Governors' Assn and National Tribal Environmental Council. The desired outcome of a Speakers' Bureau program will be to educate and engage the general public about the activities of the WRAP, opportunities for involvement and the role we all play to preserve cleaner air in the western U.S. A description of the functions of the Communications Committee was provided. It is anticipated that a work group composed of CommComm members will serve as an advisory group to the coordinator of the Speakers' Bureau. Barry M. Aarons, one of the co-chairs of the CommComm, will serve as lead for this project.

Questions from Bidders:

Stella Noriega: is this a regional or national activity?
Halvey: Regional, with participation by most states in the western U.S.

Carlin Black: how will we identify appropriate speakers?
Zemsky: (Provided history of WRAP public outreach to date; public workshops and meetings; presentations of slide programs.) It is anticipated that the coordinator will develop and implement training of speakers from within the WRAP process, as needed. The WRAP will soon be shifting gears from supporting the creation of an Annex of the federal regional haze rule to the creation of state and tribal clean air implementation plans and a more focused effort to educate the public about clean air responsibilities in the West.

Black: Will all speakers be coming from within the WRAP or can we hire outside speakers?
Zemsky: would prefer to use resources from within our body of volunteers of the WRAP, but are open to consider creative ideas.

Black: what materials will be needed to be developed?
Halvey: anticipate a proactive role in new material development, based on products of forums and committees.

Black: is there a need to participate in formal meetings and presentations to Communications Committee?
Zemsky: the CommComm advisory group will be in regular contact. Periodic presentations to the full CommComm are anticipated for committee feedback.

Black: is there to be a final report in written form?
Halvey: there certainly will be activity reports. Don't know if final report will be required. Our hope is that this will be an ongoing process.

RFP Schedule:
Comment period on RFP closes 9/15/00
Proposal due by 4 p.m. 9/29
Bidder interviews may follow by telephone at the pleasure of the Communications Committee.