HomeMy WebLinkAboutBetter Together Agency Proposal Submission – Bozeman Study Commission Communications ServicesFrom:Catharine Montgomery
To:Bozeman Procurement
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Better Together Agency Proposal Submission – Bozeman Study Commission Communications
Services
Date:Monday, June 30, 2025 9:13:07 AM
Attachments:Better Together Agency Proposal for Bozeman Study Commission.pdf
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Hi Mike,
I’m excited to submit Better Together Agency’s proposal for the Bozeman Study Commissioncommunications services RFP.
What makes us the right partner for Bozeman? We understand the critical balance you need—
educating residents about complex government structures while staying strictly neutral underMontana law. Our team has successfully navigated this exact challenge with public sector
clients, and we understand how to build community trust through transparent and accessiblecommunications.
Here’s what we bring to the table:
Proven public sector experience with organizations like Atlanta Public Schools andMaryland Humanities
Survey expertise that turns community input into actionable insightsAccessibility compliance with a 100% WCAG pass rate across all our projects,
including the CDCFixed-fee structure that gives you budget certainty for the full 17-month engagement
We’re not just another communications firm; we’re a partner who gets excited about civicengagement and believes every Bozeman resident deserves clear, honest information about
their government’s future.
Thanks for the opportunity to propose. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help make thisthe most transparent, inclusive charter review process Bozeman has ever seen.
Best,
Catharine
--
Catharine Montgomery
Founder and CEO
Better Together Agency(202) 240-2709
catharine@thebettertogetheragency.com
COMMUNICATION ST ATEGIST
Prepared by Better Together Agency for the
Bozeman Study Commission
Submitted on Monday, June 30, 2025
thebettertogetheragency.com
Catharine Montgomery, Founder and CEO
catharine@thebettertogetheragency.com
(202) 240-2709
Executive Summary / /
Better Together Agency is a Black woman-owned and founded communications firm that helps public bodies explain
complex policy in plain language.
Bozeman voters have launched a once-a-decade review of city governance. The Study Commission now needs three
things:
1. Clear facts on how the current charter works.
2. Wide, two-way engagement, allowing every resident to test ideas and offer feedback.
3. Neutral voter information that meets Montana’s rule against advocacy.
Better Together Agency will deliver all three through a plan running from July 2025 to November 2026:
● Baseline survey and bilingual engagement tools.
● Monthly updates via web, print, radio, and in-person forums.
● Accessible microsite and public document library.
● Media desk, rapid-response protocol, quarterly KPI dashboards.
● Plain-language Final Report and a city-wide “Know Before You Vote” guide.
With Better Together Agency, the Study Commission will provide every Bozeman resident with the facts, the forum, and the
confidence to vote with a complete understanding next November.
Firm Profile: Experience and Organizational Capability / /
Who is Better Together Agency?
Better Together Agency is a communications firm incorporated in 2023. We specialize in government
communications, community engagement, and public policy education. Headquarters operations are managed
from our primary office in Washington, D.C., with a 100 percent remote workforce that spans U.S. time zones.
We plan and deliver public information programs for cities, counties, and state agencies. We hold active
business licenses and maintain professional liability insurance. Our team includes accessibility specialists
(WCAG-certified) and former government communications staff.
We are an S-Corporation with active business licenses in all operating states. Our insurance includes $1 million
of CGL coverage and $2 million of aggregate liability coverage, as well as statutory workers’ compensation.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Why Better Together Agency for Bozeman
We understand Montana’s legal requirements for public communications. We have worked with similar-sized
municipalities facing growth pressures. We deliver measurable results: increased participation, statutory
compliance, and accessible public information.
Proven Government Communications Experience
● Decades of working with public sector clients.
● Expertise in non-advocacy educational communications.
● Track record of increasing civic participation.
● Public engagement strategy development.
● Non-advocacy educational messaging.
● Compliance with state and federal regulations.
● Multi-stakeholder coordination.
Social Justice Focus
● Understanding of equity and inclusion in public processes.
● Experience engaging marginalized communities.
● Commitment to accessibility and language justice.
Results-Driven Approach
● Data-backed strategies with measurable outcomes.
● Multi-channel communications expertise.
● Crisis communications and reputation management.
Our Human-Centered Values
● Equity First: Every strategy centers on inclusion and accessibility.
● Transparency: Clear, honest communication builds trust.
● Community-Led: Residents drive the conversation, and we facilitate.
● Accountability: We measure our impact and adjust our approach based on the results.
Digital Communications
● Website development and management.
● Social media strategy and implementation.
● Email marketing and newsletter campaigns.
● Online survey and feedback collection.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Traditional Media Relations
● Press release writing and distribution.
● Media training for public officials.
● Thought leadership positioning.
Community Engagement
● Town hall and public meeting facilitation.
● Focus group coordination.
● Multilingual communications.
● Accessibility compliance standards.
Data and Analytics
● Baseline and follow-up community surveys.
● Public sentiment monitoring.
● Engagement metrics tracking.
● Performance reporting and analysis
Relevant Experience
● Municipal Charter Reviews: Supported charter review processes in multiple states, including Prince
George’s Educators’ Association in Maryland.
● Ballot Measure Education: Developed neutral voter education materials for municipal ballot measures,
including ProGeorgia. All materials passed legal review for non-advocacy compliance.
● Accessibility Compliance: Conducted audits across public-facing websites and document libraries
through our work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) autism work.
● Survey Research: Designed and administered community surveys for public agencies, such as the
Louisiana Bucket Brigade.
Our Project Team
Role Name Background Allocation to the
Bozeman Study
Commission
Account Lead Catharine Montgomery Oversees timeline, deliverables, and
client coordination. Manages
multi-stakeholder workflows and
ensures compliance with statutory
deadlines and regulations.
30 percent
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Communications
Specialist
Christine Lamitina Develops messaging, content, and
media relations. Specializes in plain
language writing and public
education materials.
40 percent
Community
Engagement Manager
Maya Johnson Designs and facilitates public
forums, listening sessions, and
stakeholder outreach. Experience
with multi-channel engagement
strategies and digital outreach.
40 percent
Research Specialist Jordan Rivera Data collection, analysis, and
reporting. Experience with
community surveys, demographic
analysis, public sentiment tracking,
and performance metrics.
20 percent
Scope of Project / /
Overview of Our Plan
Better Together Agency will implement a comprehensive communications strategy that educates Bozeman
residents about the Study Commission process while building trust and encouraging participation. Our
approach follows the established phases of the Communication Plan while incorporating strategic messaging,
media relations, and community engagement expertise.
We will work within Montana state law requirements to provide educational, non-advocacy communications
that inform residents about government structure options without promoting specific outcomes.
Goal One: Educate the Community on Current Government Structure
Objective: Build a clear, shared understanding of Bozeman’s Charter form and local government processes.
Key Activities Approach
Strategic Planning ● Conduct stakeholder interviews with Study Commission members,
city staff, and community leaders.
● Analyze the current communications landscape and identify gaps.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
● Develop a messaging framework that complies with Montana’s
non-advocacy requirements.
● Create a communications calendar that aligns with the Study
Commission’s timeline.
Infrastructure Development ● Design and launch a dedicated Study Commission website section.
● Set up social media monitoring and management systems.
● Establish media contact database and relationships.
● Create brand guidelines and visual identity for Study Commission
communications.
Content Creation ● Develop educational materials explaining the Study Commission’s
purpose and process.
● Create frequently asked questions (FAQ) documents addressing
common questions.
● Design infographics and visual aids for complex government topics.
● Write press releases announcing the Study Commission formation.
● FAQ library and myth-buster posts, including updates as new
questions surface; bilingual (English/Spanish).
● Interactive timeline and comparison charts (Bozeman vs. Peer MT
cities) hosted on a WCAG-compliant microsite; graphics are sized for
social sharing.
● Begin developing government 101 educational series
(plain-language videos, one-pagers) with monthly distribution via
web, print inserts, and local radio spots.
Community Outreach ● Launch an awareness campaign across multiple channels.
● Coordinate with the City’s communications team to ensure message
consistency.
● Begin relationship building with community organizations.
● Plan the first public hearing promotion strategy.
Goal Two: Engagement and Education
Objective: Ensure every resident can follow and influence the Commission’s work in real time.
Key Activities Approach
Public Meeting Support ● Provide communications support for public hearings and subsequent
meetings.
● Develop promotional materials and media advisories, including
survey data, comments, and map-based ideas.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
● Create accessible meeting materials (in large print and with
translations, as needed).
● Coordinate live streaming and recording for virtual participation,
including a live blog or recap, within 24 hours. Share the content with
your email list and social media.
● Quarterly transparency reports that include metrics and a narrative
that is sent to the Council and posted publicly.
Educational Campaign ● Launch the “Government 101” educational series to explain the
current city structure.
● Create comparison materials showing different government models.
● Develop case studies from similar cities in Montana.
● Host virtual information sessions for different community groups.
Media Relations ● Pitch stories to local media about Study Commission progress, such
as The Montana Standard.
● Arrange interviews with commissioners for educational features.
● Write op-eds explaining the importance of civic participation.
● Monitor media coverage and respond to misinformation.
Community Engagement ● Facilitate listening sessions in different neighborhoods.
● Partner with existing community organizations to enhance outreach
efforts and expand community engagement.
Goal Three: Gather Community Input (Survey and Engagement Expertise)
Objective: Communicate Study Commission findings and recommendations, maintain community engagement
throughout deliberation, prepare ballot measure communications if needed, and document the process for
future reference.
Key Activities Approach
Survey Development and
Implementation
● Instrument design using plain language, culturally reviewed in
English and Spanish.
● Demographic weighting to ensure representative samples.
● Multi-modal distribution (online, phone, mail, in-person).
● Provide a minimum sample size margin of error for the voting-age
population.
● Statistical analysis with confidence intervals and margin of error
reporting.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
General and Technical Requirements / /
Better Together Agency certifies that we meet or exceed all general and technical requirements outlined in the
RFP:
Accessibility (WCAG Compliance)
We acknowledge the requirement that all proposal documents and project deliverables comply with WCAG 2.1
Level A and AA Success Criteria. Our team has experience producing accessible content. All digital materials
we create will be designed for accessibility, including proper heading structure, alternative text for images, high
color contrast, captioned video content, and keyboard navigation support for web pages. We have
collaborated with the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) and the CDC to develop
accessible digital content.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Pay
We fully agree with the City’s affirmation of non-discrimination and equal pay. Our mission is to use
communications to achieve equity, and as a minority-founded company, equity and fairness are at the heart of
our operations. We do not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or any other
status in our employment or service delivery processes.
Qualifications and Staffing
Our firm’s qualifications align with the RFP’s criteria for experience and expertise. Better Together Agency will
assign a dedicated team to the Bozeman Study Commission account.
Politically Neutral, Educational Approach
We understand Montana’s constraints on using public funds for advocacy. Our internal review process includes
legal and ethical checkpoints to guarantee compliance. Our staff’s background in public affairs ensures we can
craft educational messaging that empowers informed decisions without advocacy.
Technical Capabilities
Better Together Agency is proficient with content management systems, email marketing software, survey
tools, social media management, and graphic design software. Our remote work infrastructure enables
nationwide service with on-site availability for Bozeman meetings, as needed.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Understanding of Local Context
We research local demographics, civic engagement patterns, and community culture for every project. We
collaborate with local stakeholders to ensure our communications strategy is tailored to Bozeman’s
environment and values, using data-informed and culturally informed approaches.
Better Together Agency meets all RFP requirements and is committed to adhering to all City of Bozeman
standards throughout our engagement.
Related Experience with Projects Similar to the Scope of
Services / /
Better Together Agency boasts a robust portfolio of relevant experience in delivering successful
communications strategies for civic initiatives, nonprofit organizations, and community-focused campaigns.
Below, we highlight a selection of projects that demonstrate our ability to increase visibility, funding, and public
participation, often in politically nuanced or complex issue areas comparable to the Study Commission’s needs:
Maryland Humanities - Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
● Issue: Maryland Humanities needed a comprehensive communications strategy to strengthen outreach
efforts and improve stakeholder engagement across diverse communities, including staff, board
members, community partners, and underrepresented populations.
● Our Role: Better Together Agency conducted extensive stakeholder research, developed customized
engagement plans for different groups, facilitated neutral stakeholder sessions, and created a strategic
communications plan with brand messaging and implementation tactics.
● Outcomes: Successfully engaged multiple stakeholder groups through surveys and interviews,
developed strategic brand messaging that clearly outlined the organization’s mission and societal role,
and delivered a comprehensive communications plan with a timeline and tactics. Created a stakeholder
engagement toolkit and improved recruitment materials that enhanced community participation.
● Relevance: Demonstrates expertise in public sector stakeholder engagement, neutral facilitation,
strategic communications planning, and multi-community coordination - directly applicable to
Bozeman’s Study Commission needs for community engagement, transparent process management,
and strategic communications development.
ProGeorgia Coalition - Voter Education and Information Campaign
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
● Issue: Georgia voters required accurate and timely information about voting processes, election
changes, and civic participation during a complex election cycle marked by multiple legal and
procedural changes.
● Our Role: Better Together Agency provided strategic communications support, including voter education
materials, media relations, crisis communications, and multi-stakeholder coordination to ensure
accurate information reached diverse communities.
● Outcomes: Successfully coordinated information sharing across multiple partner organizations,
developed rapid-response protocols for changing election conditions, created voter education toolkits
used by community partners, and managed media relations that resulted in over 15,000 news stories
providing accurate voting information to Georgia residents.
● Relevance: Demonstrates expertise in voter education, crisis communications, multi-stakeholder
coordination, and neutral information provision - directly applicable to Bozeman’s Study Commission
needs for community education, transparent process management, and coordinated communications
leading up to the 2026 election.
Eboni-Rose for DC Campaign – Voter Engagement and Messaging:
● Issue: A Washington, DC, Ward-level political campaign for a community advocate running for office,
where clear issue education was crucial.
● Our Role: Better Together Agency served as campaign communications consultants, focusing on
community outreach and digital engagement.
● Outcomes: We conducted a gap analysis on community perceptions, crafted a unified message
platform centered on local education reform, and produced shareable content (videos, infographics). Our
strategy resulted in a 121 percent growth in the campaign’s Facebook followers and a 200 percent
increase in video engagement within a few months. Importantly, residents reported a stronger
understanding of the candidate’s platform and local issues due to our educational content.
● Relevance: Although a campaign, this experience underscores our ability to engage citizens in dialogue
about governance and policy changes at the neighborhood level. It required balancing promotion with
factual education, much like Bozeman’s communications must inform citizens about government
structure options without advocating for any one option. It also highlights our success with digital
engagement, which will be a key component of the Study Commission outreach.
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) - Organizational Transformation Communications:
● Issue: Atlanta Public Schools required a comprehensive stakeholder engagement and communications
strategy during a major organizational transformation that affected over 50,000 students, families,
educators, and community members.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
● Our Role: Better Together Agency led a multi-year communications strategy to build stakeholder trust,
provide transparent information, and facilitate community engagement throughout the transformation
process.
● Outcomes: Successfully managed complex stakeholder communications across diverse constituencies.
Developed comprehensive information kits, message training for leadership, and a multi-channel
engagement strategy. Achieved measurable increases in stakeholder participation and community trust
metrics. The transformation process maintained public support through transparent, educational
communications that kept all stakeholders informed and engaged.
● Relevance: Demonstrates our ability to handle complex public sector communications involving multiple
stakeholder groups, educational messaging during organizational change, and community engagement
strategies. Shows expertise in building trust through transparent communication and managing
sensitive transformation processes - directly applicable to Bozeman’s charter review process, where
community trust and engagement are essential for success.
Description of Proposed Solution / /
Understanding of Bozeman’s Challenge
The Bozeman Study Commission faces a communications challenge: educating more than 60,000 residents
about complex government structure options while maintaining strict neutrality in accordance with Montana
law. The Commission must build community trust, gather meaningful input, and prepare voters for an informed
decision in November 2026.
This section translates the “what” of the Scope into the “how” – the systems, tools, and safeguards Better
Together Agency will use to meet the Study Commission’s three statutory goals.
Solution Architecture – Five Pillars
Pillar What is Does How it Works for Bozeman
Strategy Hub Aligns messages, timelines,
and KPIs under one roof.
● Editorial calendar mapped to Commission
milestones.
● Key-message matrix that stays neutral (education
> advocacy).
● AI-assisted heat-map of outreach gaps, updated
monthly.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Content Factory Produces plain-language,
fully accessible materials.
● Modular templates (web, print, radio, video).
● WCAG 2.1 AA “gate” in Figma/InDesign
workflow.
● Bilingual copy track English and Spanish.
Engagement
Engine
Captures two-way
community input across
channels.
● Hybrid events: in-person and captioned
livestream.
● SMS “quick-poll” line for residents without
broadband.
● Online comment portal with 3-day response.
Data and
Insights Lab
Turns raw feedback into
actionable insights.
● Surveys with demographic weighting based on
the census.
● Dashboards with a real-time view for
Commissioners.
Governance
and
Compliance
Layer
Ensures every deliverable is
legal, ethical, and delivered
on time.
● “Advocacy guardrail” checklist (City Attorney
pre-clearance).
● Schedule tracker with statutory deadlines
● Document control, version rollback, and audit
trail.
Technology Stack
Need Optional Tool Rationale
Survey and Data
Capture
Qualtrics. Government-grade security, Spanish instrument
switching, and offline tablet mode.
AI Text and Sentiment Suits.ai. Audit logs for every prompt.
Accessibility Audit Manual keyboard
test.
Industry standard; integrates with Figma and Chrome.
Dashboarding Tableau Online
(Government
Cloud).
ADA-compliant color palettes.
Live Caption and ASL Local ASL partner. Transcript archive auto-posted within 24 hours.
File Repository System used by
Bozeman.
Secure version control; guest view for public library.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Workflow – from Draft to Delivery
1. Draft creation (Content Factory).
2. Peer edit for clarity and plain language.
3. Accessibility audit (WCAG pass/fail gate).
4. Legal neutrality check against MCA 7-3-172 and City Attorney guidance.
5. Commission review and sign-off.
6. Publish and archive (public library and internal backup).
7. KPI log update (Engagement Engine and Data Lab).
This loop repeats monthly; dashboards display progress in real-time.
Risk Mitigation
Low Event Turnout SMS reminders and geo-targeted radio spots 48 hours prior.
Misinformation
Spike
24-hour response desk; fact-check post on microsite, pushed to social and email.
Accessibility
Complaint
Immediate re-audit; corrected content reposted ≤ 48 hours; incident logged.
Schedule Slippage Stat-deadline tracker sends auto-alerts that escalate to the Account Lead.
Transition and Knowledge Transfer
● Commission staff onboarding – login credentials, dashboard tutorial, content-template walkthrough.
● Final archive – all source files, raw survey data, and workbooks delivered on encrypted drive.
● Post-project hotline – a 30-day window for Q&A at no additional cost following close-out.
Why This Solution Works for Bozeman
● Single source of truth – a public library and a live dashboard equal zero “version confusion.”
● Legal and ADA-compliant – reduces the risk of advocacy claims or accessibility litigation.
● AI used responsibly – speeds insight without compromising privacy.
● Built for scale – templates and cloud stack ready for any last-minute voter-education surge.
Success Framework
Our solution delivers quantifiable outcomes:
● ≥ 60% citywide awareness by June 2026.
● ≥ 1,000 verifiable public comments across all engagement channels.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
● 100 percent on-time publication of statutory notices.
● WCAG 2.1 AA compliance on all digital materials.
This holistic, tool-backed approach ensures that the Study Commission delivers on education, transparency,
and inclusive engagement on schedule and within the agreed-upon budget – the result: An informed electorate
ready to make thoughtful decisions about Bozeman’s governance in November 2026.
Proposed Schedule / /
Phase Period Key Deliverables Milestones
Phase 1: Discovery
and Launch
July - October
2025
Strategy development, baseline
survey, and initial outreach
materials.
Kick-off meeting, messaging
framework approved.
Phase 2: Education
and Engagement
November
2025 - July
2026
Monthly content, community
forums, and mid-point surveys.
Government 101 series launch,
quarterly reports.
Phase 3:
Recommendations
and Voting
July -
November
2026
Final report design, voter education
materials, election support.
Final report publication, Know
Before You Vote guide.
Phase 4: Closeout December
2026
Project evaluation, documentation
transfer.
Final report to City.
Flexibility and Contingency
Timeline accommodates Study Commission schedule changes and allows for additional community
engagement opportunities as they arise. All statutory deadlines will be tracked and met with built-in buffer
periods.
Present and Projected Workloads / /
Current Client Portfolio
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Better Together Agency maintains a selective client portfolio to ensure we adhere to our mission of using
communications to achieve equity, while dedicating attention to each engagement. As of July 2025, our current
workload includes:
Client Project Type Status Completion Date Impact on Bozeman
Capacity
Pilot Light Strategic
communications
and content
development.
Active Ongoing through
Q3 2025
No conflict - concludes
before Bozeman Peak.
Giant Food Community
engagement for a
regional grocery
chain.
Active Ongoing No conflict - different team
members.
National
Association of
Nurse
Practitioners in
Women’s Health
Advocacy
communications
support.
Active Ongoing No conflict - different team
members.
Real Action for
Cannabis Equity
(R.A.C.E.)
Municipal
advocacy and
public
engagement
campaign.
Final reporting
phase
September 2025 No conflict concludes
before Bozeman peak.
Team Availability for Bozeman
Dedicated Capacity Allocation
● Account Lead (Catharine Montgomery): 30 percent allocation = 12 hours/week.
● Communications Specialist (Christine Lamitina): 40 percent allocation = 16 hours/week.
● Community Engagement Manager (Maya Johnson): 40 percent allocation = 16 hours/week.
● Research Specialist (Riley Martinez): 20 percent allocation = 8 hours/week.
Total Weekly Commitment
52 hours dedicated to the Bozeman Study Commission.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Projected Workload Through 2026
2025 Projections:
● Pilot Light engagement continues with separate team members.
● Giant Food community engagement work continues with different team members.
● National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health work continues.
● R.A.C.E. municipal advocacy campaign concludes by Q4 2025.
● No new major engagements are planned during the Bozeman project period.
● Bozeman Study Commission will be the primary focus from August 2025.
2026 Projections:
● Bozeman Study Commission remains a top priority through November 2026.
● Existing client work managed by non-Bozeman team members.
● Limited additional client work planned to maintain focus.
● Whole team availability for the election period (October-November 2026)
Capacity Management
Client Separation:
● All current clients use different team members from the Bozeman project.
● No resource conflicts between concurrent engagements.
● Clear project boundaries and dedicated time allocation
Risk Mitigation:
● No competing municipal clients in Montana.
● No conflicting political or advocacy work will be undertaken during the engagement period.
● Backup personnel have been identified for each key role.
Better Together Agency commits to maintaining sufficient capacity throughout the engagement to meet all
deliverable deadlines and provide responsive client service.
Recent and Current Work for the City of Bozeman / /
Better Together Agency has not previously provided services to the City of Bozeman or any of its departments.
This proposal represents our first opportunity to partner with the City.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Why This Benefits Bozeman
Fresh Perspective:
We bring unbiased, outside expertise without preconceived notions about local dynamics or past approaches.
No Conflicts:
We have no competing interests or relationships within Bozeman that could compromise our objectivity,
essential for the Study Commission’s neutral mandate.
Full Attention:
The Study Commission will receive our complete focus and best resources, as we’re not managing competing
priorities within the same jurisdiction.
Proven Transferable Experience:
While new to Bozeman, we bring relevant experience from similar-sized municipalities and public sector clients
facing comparable challenges.
Our Commitment
We understand that trust must be earned. Our proposal demonstrates our capabilities through:
● Detailed case studies from relevant public sector work.
● Comprehensive solution architecture tailored to Bozeman’s specific needs.
● Fixed-fee commitment providing budget certainty.
● Clear accountability measures and success metrics.
We’re eager to establish a successful partnership with the City of Bozeman through this Study Commission
engagement and look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate our value.
References / /
Giant Food
Felis Andrade | Director, External Communications and Community Relations
301-641-9232 | felis.andrade@giantfood.com
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH)
Heather Maurer | Chief Executive Officer
703-732-1700 | hmaurer@npwh.org
Red Rabbit
Naeema Arrastia | Chief Business Officer
917-794-4983 | naeema@myredrabbit.com
Training / /
Training Services Provided
Better Together Agency will provide comprehensive training to ensure that Study Commission members and
City staff can effectively communicate about the study process and maintain consistent messaging.
Client-Facing Training for the Study Commission
Number Session Purpose Training and
Format
Key Take-home Materials
One Media and
Messaging
Provide Commissioners and
City staff with a neutral,
fact-based message set and
demonstrate how to handle
tough questions in
interviews and public
meetings effectively.
Half-day, in-person
workshop,
November 2025
(recorded and
captioned).
● Slide deck.
● Bridging cue cards
● Approved. Key
message sheet.
● Interview techniques
and message delivery.
● Handling difficult
questions while
maintaining neutrality.
● Non-advocacy
communication
requirements under
Montana law.
● Practice sessions with
mock interviews.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Two Survey
Insights and
Data
Literacy
Explain how baseline and
mid-cycle surveys are built,
what “margin of error” really
means, and how to talk
about findings with the
public.
90-minute webinar,
January 2026 (live
and on-demand).
● Plain-language data
glossary.
● Chart-interpretation
cheat sheet.
● Survey platform
training for ongoing
community feedback.
● Public records
management for
transparency
requirements.
Three Community
- Forum
Facilitation
Train Commissioners to run
hybrid town halls, manage
small-group breakout
discussions, and log
feedback for the dashboard.
Two-hour practicum
March 2026 (onsite
venue
walk-through).
● Facilitation script.
● Sign-in and
comment-card
templates.
● Consistent messaging
across all city
communications.
● Social media
management and
monitoring.
● Website content
updates and
accessibility
compliance.
● Crisis communication
protocols.
Four Digital
Accessibility
and Plain
Language
Ensure that any content
drafted by City staff meets
WCAG 2.1 and Grade 8
readability standards before
posting.
Two-hour webinar,
July 2026; captioned
and archived.
● Accessibility
quick-check list.
● Plain-language
rewrite examples.
Five On-Demand
Coaching
30-minute virtual
run-through before each
quarterly forum or media
event.
Scheduled 3–5 days
pre-event.
Event-specific Q&A brief.
Training Outcomes
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Participants will be equipped to:
● Communicate effectively about the Study Commission process.
● Maintain legal compliance with non-advocacy requirements.
● Handle media inquiries and public presentations confidently.
● Coordinate messaging across all communication channels.
This training ensures sustainability beyond the contract period and builds internal capacity for ongoing civic
engagement initiatives.
Price Proposal / /
Category Description Cost
Strategic Planning Discovery, messaging framework, and communications
strategy development.
$15,000
Infrastructure Development Project setup, systems, processes, and quality assurance
protocols.
$8,000
Content Creation Educational materials, FAQ documents, plain-language
content, and infographics.
$15,000
Public Meeting Support Meeting promotion, materials, accessibility compliance,
and live streaming coordination.
$10,000
Media Relations Press releases, media advisories, journalist relationships,
and crisis communications.
$12,000
Community Engagement Listening sessions, forums, stakeholder outreach, and
multi-channel campaigns.
$18,000
Survey Development and
Analysis
Baseline, mid-point, and final surveys with statistical
analysis.
$15,000
Website Development WCAG-compliant microsite and document library. $34,800
Design and Creative Graphics, infographics, and accessibility compliance. $8,000
Training Materials Workshop development and delivery. $10,000
Final Report Report design, plain-language summary, and voter
education materials.
$2,500
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Total Costs $148,300
Additional costs: Paid media, image licensing, hard costs for photography and video, research participant recruitment
fees, software licensing (if required), and artist fees (including agency and usage fees) for photographers, illustrators, and
web developers.
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency
Appendix A
NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION
Better Together Agency, Inc. hereby affirms it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed,
sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or
disability and acknowledges and understands the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting
discrimination as described above and this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and
treatments or proposer’s employees and to all subcontracts. Better Together Agency, Inc. hereby affirms it will
abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act).
Catharine Montgomery, Founder and CEO
// Bozeman Study Commission: Proposal from Better Together Agency