Report on Conference Call #3
Working Group on Outreach
May 17, 2004

There's a wonderful momentum going into the summer! So thanks again to all for your dedication and enthusiasm. We divided into three taskforces around our main areas from last time: publicity toolkit, formatting the gateway, and tracking devices.

Here is the logic of these areas of Outreach:

* how we magnetize new people to a program (publicity)
* what we do in an entry-level program (gateway formats)
* how we follow up so new people stay involved (tracking)

PUBLICITY TASKFORCE
Deborah Garrett, Brian Spielmann, Ravenna Michalsen

This group is set to begin work on the publicity toolkit. The kit could include templates, poster designs, and other features to make available in samples and also burned onto CDs for centers to adapt as need be. We discussed two levels of publicity: (1) a publicity toolkit geared explicitly around Turning the Mind into an Ally (TMA) as a gateway program, and (2) a brochure that would provide a "bright, clear path" for new students about the steps between their first program and first dathun. For both, language seems to be key, so that we can speak to the outside world and introduce our own terminology in productive ways.
Website design came up again as an important topic, and it may be that we want to have a booth at the next Shambhala Congress in which we offer 15 minute website makeovers.

GATEWAY TASKFORCE
Adam Lobel, Betsy Pond, Sophie Maclaren, Ann Cason, David Quinn

This group is set to discuss a variety formats for entry-level programs, particularly Turning the Mind into an Ally (TMA). This could include brainstorming about teaching materials, language (Buddhist or secular), and formats to host TMA at centers or bring out into the community (YMCAs, libraries, hospitals, college campuses). Also, we discussed the issue of producing materials in multiple languages for Outreach to diverse communities in North America and for use in Europe and Latin America.

TRACKING TASKFORCE
Peter Bancel, Valerie Morvan and possibly two others

This group is set to begin working on tracking devices. What types of infrastructure do we need to capture information, process it productively, and share it regionally? Over the summer, San Antonio is going to try out a database being developed by New York to see how it might be adapted for other centers. The idea is to generate and make available a program capable of (1) capturing contact information at registration, (2) generating targeted mailing (and emailing) lists, (3) tracking program price and participation, and (4) tabulating net income per program.


So those are the taskforces! Each one should try to meet once or twice over the summer to brainstorm a detailed "to do" list for the fall and also, if there is the momentum, begin to work on some of the items on that list. Good luck!

We are also keeping the juices flowing in terms of wider issues in Outreach, and there are things still on our plate from prior meetings:

* collecting "best practices" from around the mandala
* seeking out a dozen centers to test out our publicity toolkit and tracking devices

Members of the Outreach Working Group in attendance: Brian Spielmann, Deborah Garrett, Adam Lobel, Holly Gayley, Sophie Maclaren, Peter Bancel, Valerie Morvan, Ann Cason, and Betsy Pond

Additional members of the Outreach Working Group: David Quinn, Magali Meneses, and Kerry Conant

Consulting Members: Jane Arthur, Seth Bregman and Bill Karelis