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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWorking Ventures - RFP Response - Communication Strategist for Study CommissionFrom:Stan Odenthal To:Bozeman Procurement Cc:Ana Lopez Shalla Subject:[EXTERNAL][SENDER UNVERIFIED]RFP Response - Communication Strategist for Study Commission Date:Monday, June 30, 2025 2:27:29 PM Attachments:6.30.25 Bozeman Plan.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Good afternoon, Please see the attached proposal response from Working Ventures related to the RFP entitled "Communication Strategist for Study Commission". We would be happy to provide additionalinformation or answer any questions you may have. Thank you, Stan -- Stan Odenthal Principal M: (435) 720-2782 E: stan@working-ventures.comworking-ventures.com | LinkedIn BUILDING BOZEMAN TOGETHER Public Engagement and Outreach Plan June 2025 Prepared for City of Bozeman Working Ventures, LLC 2215 S. 86th Street, Omaha, NE 6814 (402) 214-1308 www.working-ventures.com 1 Technical & Contractual Point of Contact: Stan Odenthal (435) 720-2782 stan@working-ventures.com Executive Summary 3 Firm Profile 6 General and Technical Requirements 15 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Scope of Project 12 Proposed Solution Related Experience and Similar Projects 16 18 Present and Projected Workloads Work with City of Bozeman References Training Price Proposal 19 19 20 22 24 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 Working Ventures is honored to submit this proposal to support the Bozeman Study Commission as its selected Communication Strategist. With decades of combined experience in strategic communications, public engagement, and civic facilitation, our team is uniquely positioned to deliver a comprehensive, accessible, and legally compliant communications strategy that advances the Commission’s goals: to educate, engage, and involve the Bozeman community in evaluating its current local government structure. The timing of this work is both urgent and historic. With the opportunity to study and potentially revise Bozeman’s local government system—an event that occurs only once per decade—the need for clear messaging, transparent processes, and inclusive outreach is paramount. Our team brings both the technical expertise and community-minded approach needed to fulfill the communication and engagement objectives outlined in the Commission’s Public Engagement Plan and RFP. Strategic Communications for Public Understanding and Engagement Working Ventures will design and implement a communications strategy that serves three critical functions: Educate the Community We will develop materials and messaging that clearly explain the purpose, process, and scope of the Study Commission’s work—demystifying the City Charter and form of government for all Bozeman residents. This includes print and digital media, fact sheets, accessible public presentations, and structured learning opportunities. Engage a Broad Range of Stakeholders From students at Montana State University to longtime residents, renters, business owners, and neighborhood associations, our outreach methods are designed to meet people where they are—literally and figuratively. We will support surveys, listening sessions, open houses, and targeted outreach events, ensuring that historically underrepresented voices are heard. Maintain Legal and Ethical Integrity We are well-versed in the legal distinction between education and advocacy. All materials and public-facing messaging will strictly comply with Montana law and city policy prohibiting the use of public resources for ballot advocacy. Our communications will remain neutral, transparent, and grounded in public education. WORKING VENTURESWORKING VENTURES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY DON’T JUST PLAN. PUT A SHARED VISION IN MOTION. Working Ventures will lead a transparent, inclusive, and legally compliant communications strategy that educates Bozeman residents about the Study Commission’s work and actively engages them through accessible, multi- channel outreach. Our approach emphasizes collaboration, clear messaging, and community-centered engagement to ensure broad public understanding and meaningful participation throughout the process. 4 Experience and Capacity Working Ventures has supported local and regional public entities across the country in similar efforts— including strategic planning, civic engagement, and issue education. We’ve led outreach and communications strategies for government boards, workforce councils, and regional economic initiatives in communities ranging from Southeast Texas to Central Ohio to rural Utah. Our principals, Ana Lopez Shalla and Stan Odenthal, bring a blend of expertise in education, legal compliance, workforce systems, and public communications. Together, we offer: Proven success designing and analyzing WCAG-compliant community surveys Deep facilitation experience with public meetings, open houses, and stakeholder focus groups Communications expertise rooted in equity, transparency, and collaboration Commitment to delivering on time and within budget Deliverables and Timeline Our scope of work is aligned with the phases outlined in the Study Commission’s Engagement Plan, including: Development and promotion of two community surveys (public and staff-focused) Design of messaging, presentations, and fact sheets for use at public hearings and open houses Support for 2–3 town hall meetings and 2–3 community workshops, including facilitation Written summaries of outreach findings and feedback to inform Commission decisions Assistance with public education for the tentative and final reports (2026) We will maintain regular communication with the Study Commission and align our work with the Commission’s meeting schedule, milestones, and evolving needs. Commitment to Bozeman Working Ventures sees this work not only as a technical engagement, but as a civic partnership. We will serve as a transparent, responsive, and proactive extension of the Study Commission’s team—ensuring that every Bozeman resident has the opportunity to learn about, participate in, and help shape the future of local governance. We welcome the opportunity to bring our expertise, energy, and collaborative spirit to this important project. Thank you for considering our proposal. WORKING VENTURESWORKING VENTURES 5 FIRM PROFILE 6 Working Ventures is a consulting firm specializing in regional strategic planning, cross-sector stakeholder engagement, and workforce and economic development strategy. We have supported organizations across Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond in developing forward-looking, community-driven strategies, often tailored to rural and small-city contexts. With nearly 30 years of combined experience, our team has worked with municipalities, workforce boards, economic development organizations, and education systems to create actionable strategic plans grounded in both local insight and broader policy and labor market trends. Our approach is built on the belief that strategic planning should be a tool for alignment, empowerment, and implementation—not a static report. We bring a proven methodology that combines rigorous data review with creative engagement strategies and inclusive facilitation to ensure that the resulting plan is both visionary and usable. This includes designing processes that are transparent, accessible, and rooted in the voices of staff, elected officials, and community stakeholders. We take pride in crafting strategies that foster buy-in, clarify roles, and identify measurable goals that cities and their partners can sustain over time. In 2025, we led Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG)-South Dakota through its first statewide strategic planning process, involving deep stakeholder consultation and a focus on diversifying funding and expanding partnerships. We also recently supported the Mississippi Valley Workforce Development Board in launching a healthcare sector strategy that united executive leadership across eight counties in Iowa to collaboratively address regional workforce shortages. In Southeast Texas, we facilitated a strategic planning process for Workforce Solutions, including over a dozen industry listening sessions that directly informed policy and program shifts at local American Job Centers. Closer to home, we worked with Workforce Alliance in Wichita, Kansas, to conduct an organizational analysis and develop a refined strategic plan that resulted in board restructuring to better respond to regional workforce needs. These experiences reflect our ability to deliver high-quality, tailored strategic planning services across a range of organizational structures and regional priorities. They also highlight our deep understanding of the nuances in rural and small-city economic development—an essential competency as Bozeman invests in its future. WORKING VENTURESWORKING VENTURES EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS 7 Comprehensive capacity and expertise to meetBozeman’s needs 8 ORGANIZATIONAL MAP Stan Odenthal Project Lead Ana Lopez Shalla Project Co-Lead Taylor Gehringer, Ph.D. Data & Evaluation WORKING VENTURESWORKING VENTURES ANA LOPEZ SHALLA Position: Co-Founder, Principal at Working Ventures Role on Project: Project Lead Career Highlights: Ph.D. Candidate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Ed.M. in Learning & Teaching from Harvard University B.A. in English and Theology from Boston College Fulbright Scholar in Nicosia, Cyprus, with international experience in educational settings Former Director of Workforce Development at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Lead for Microcredentials at the University of Nebraska System, Office of the President Over a decade of experience in workforce development, including program design, curriculum development, and strategic workforce initiatives Successfully launched and scaled several workforce development programs Extensive experience working with K-12 systems, private sector organizations, public workforce systems, community colleges, and nonprofit agencies to create impactful partnerships and initiatives Responsibilities on the Project: Ana Lopez Shalla will serve as the Co-Lead. In this role, she will provide overall leadership across all phases of the engagement —from initial discovery through final plan delivery and implementation support. Ana will design and facilitate stakeholder engagement activities with City staff, elected officials, and community members, ensuring broad input and alignment across departments and sectors. She will lead the synthesis of community and organizational input, develop the strategic vision and goal framework, and oversee the creation of a practical, visually compelling plan that can guide decision-making and resource allocation for years to come. Ana will also facilitate implementation planning and capacity- building sessions to support successful adoption and execution of the plan. With a background in workforce strategy, cross-sector collaboration, and municipal planning, Ana brings a track record of helping communities align operations with long-term goals. TEAM PROFILE 9 Her LinkedIn profile can be viewed here. WORKING VENTURESWORKING VENTURES STAN ODENTHAL Position: Co-Founder, Principal at Working Ventures Role: Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Planning Facilitator Career Highlights: J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law M.A. in Political Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln B.A. in History and Political Science from Weber State University Extensive experience in workforce development, policy analysis, and program administration Former Director of the Office of Employment and Training at the Nebraska Department of Labor, overseeing statewide workforce development programs Former Executive Director of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission, handling investigations related to employment, housing, and public accommodations Currently serves as Director of Business Relations at Heartland Workforce Solutions, overseeing workforce development in the Omaha area Proficient in WIOA compliance, and experienced in facilitating sector partnerships, stakeholder coordination, and the design and management of workforce-related programs Speaks fluent Spanish, allowing him to engage with diverse populations Responsibilities on the Project: Stan Odenthal will serve as the Co-Lead. In this role, Stan will design and lead engagement strategies that bring in diverse perspectives from across the community—including City staff, elected officials, local organizations, and residents. His approach will ensure that the planning process is inclusive, transparent, and grounded in the lived experiences and priorities of Bozeman’s people. Stan will facilitate key planning workshops, visioning sessions, and goal-setting meetings, using proven methods to translate stakeholder insights into actionable strategies. He will also support the development of strategic objectives and performance measures that align with the City’s vision and capacity. With deep expertise in workforce systems, public policy, and cross-sector coordination, Stan will ensure the planning process builds trust, fosters alignment, and results in a plan that is both aspirational and implementable. 10 His LinkedIn profile can be viewed here. TEAM PROFILE WORKING VENTURESWORKING VENTURES TAYLOR GEHRINGER, PH.D. Position: Collaborator at Working Ventures Role on Project: Data & Evaluation Lead Career Highlights: Ph.D. and M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Nebraska Omaha; B.A. in Psychology from the University of Nebraska– Lincoln Over a decade of applied research experience focused on program evaluation, systems change, and organizational assessment Expertise in data analysis, visualization, research design, and stakeholder- informed reporting Recent publication in the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education Taylor is passionate about using data to elevate community voice, demonstrate impact, and support equitable change. Her consulting background spans nonprofits, workforce systems, and public sector agencies—helping clients conduct needs assessments, implement and evaluate initiatives, and translate data into practical decision-making tools. Her experience includes work as Lead Consultant at Category One Consulting and research positions within the University of Nebraska Omaha. She brings a deep understanding of both technical analysis and how to communicate findings in ways that build clarity, ownership, and action. Responsibilities on the Project: Taylor will serve as the Data & Evaluation Lead for the project She will guide the analysis of existing City data, facilitate the development of performance metrics, and ensure that all strategies are grounded in evidence and measurable outcomes. Taylor will also synthesize stakeholder input with quantitative findings to generate actionable insights and develop the implementation and monitoring framework included in the final plan. Her work will ensure the strategic plan is not only visionary but also evaluable and results- driven. WORKING VENTURES TEAM PROFILE 11 Her LinkedIn profile can be viewed here. WORKING VENTURES PROJECT SCOPE + GENERAL & TECHNICALREQUIREMENTS 12 WORKING VENTURES Our approach integrates expert survey development, accessible messaging, facilitated engagement events, and legally compliant public education to ensure broad community awareness and active participation. We will work in close partnership with the Study Commission and other city stakeholders to ensure that all communication activities are clear, legally compliant, and accessible to the public. Primary Objectives: Educate the public and Study Commission on the structure and function of Bozeman’s local government. Engage residents and stakeholders using multiple methods of communication and feedback. Promote participation through inclusive outreach, multilingual resources, and accessible materials. Build trust and transparency through open, consistent, and legally sound communications. STRATEGY HIGHLIGHT: CREATIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES Core Responsibilities: Design and deploy public and staff surveys in collaboration with the Local Government Center. Develop and maintain clear, neutral messaging for all communication materials (print, web, and social media). Facilitate public meetings, open houses, and stakeholder sessions outlined in the Engagement Plan. Produce written summaries of engagement findings and assist in preparing public presentations and fact sheets. Ensure all digital and print materials are WCAG 2.1 A & AA compliant. SCOPE OF THE PROJECT 13WORKING VENTURES Working Ventures will serve as the Communication Strategist for the Bozeman Study Commission, leading the implementation of a strategic, inclusive, and transparent communications and engagement plan from August 2025 through Summer 2026. Our role is to operationalize the goals outlined in the Study Commission’s Engagement and Outreach Plan, helping to inform, involve, and empower the Bozeman community throughout this once-in-a-decade process of evaluating the City’s government structure and charter. WORKING VENTURES Timeframe, Activities, & Deliverables August–September 2025 Project kickoff; finalize communication protocols; draft messaging and education content; launch surveys. October–November 2025 Promote and analyze community and staff surveys; support stakeholder meetings with city officials and community groups. December 2025 Assist in convening and facilitating three public open houses across the city; summarize key input and themes. January–February 2026 Plan and support 2–3 community workshops to explore options for government structure reform; produce workshop materials and summaries. March–April 2026 Assist with communications for tentative report rollout; design summary fact sheet and facilitate 1–2 open houses; manage feedback loop. May–July 2026 Support Study Commission in final public hearing, develop voter education tools (as allowed by law), and transition communications archive. This timeline is flexible and will evolve in coordination with the Study Commission's meeting schedule and stakeholder availability. Working Ventures will maintain consistent contact through bi-weekly check-ins and will be available for additional meetings as needed. PROJECT TIMELINE 14 WORKING VENTURES WORKING VENTURES GENERAL AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 15 WORKING VENTURES Compliance & Accessibility All messaging and outreach will strictly adhere to Montana’s legal prohibition on advocacy with public funds. Working Ventures is experienced in navigating this “bright line” and will ensure that all communications are educational in nature. Additionally, all digital and print deliverables will comply with WCAG 2.1 A & AA accessibility standards. Working Ventures affirms that we will fully meet all general and technical requirements outlined in the City of Bozeman’s Request for Proposals. This includes designing and implementing a communications strategy that aligns with the goals of the Study Commission, developing and analyzing community and staff surveys, producing accessible and WCAG 2.1 A & AA-compliant materials, and supporting a wide range of stakeholder engagement activities. We understand the importance of maintaining strict neutrality in all educational materials related to potential ballot issues and are experienced in managing the legal distinction between public education and advocacy. Our team will ensure that all deliverables meet the expectations of clarity, timeliness, and accessibility while supporting the Commission’s mandate to foster transparent and inclusive public dialogue. In addition, Working Ventures accepts the terms and conditions as outlined in the City of Bozeman’s sample Professional Services Agreement included in the RFP. We have reviewed the contract language in detail and confirm our ability to comply with all provisions, including insurance requirements, data privacy and ownership clauses, indemnification terms, and accessibility standards. We are prepared to execute the agreement as presented, or in substantially similar form, and look forward to entering into a collaborative and productive working relationship with the City and the Study Commission. ENGAGEMENT CHANNELS Our communications strategy will leverage both in-person and digital tools to maximize outreach and participation, including: Bozeman’s “Engage BZN” platform and other city communication channels. Neighborhood association meetings and civic board engagements. Informal listening sessions at community-based organizations and local institutions (e.g., MSU, Bridgercare, Bozeman Tenants United). Multilingual and accessible outreach formats to ensure equity in engagement. RELATED & SIMILAR PROJECTS 16 PROJECT DETAILS PROJECT NARRATIVE Strategic PlanJAG-South DakotaRapid City, South Dakota 2025 Leading JAG-South Dakota’s inauguralcomprehensive strategic plan to aid in expandingpartnerships and diversifying funding streams.Significant stakeholder engagement, dataanalysis, and deliverable development. Launching Healthcare SectorStrategyMississippi Valley WorkforceDevelopment Board Eastern Iowa2024 Miranda SwaffordExecutive DirectorMississippi Valley WorkforceDevelopment Boarddirector@mississippivalleyworkforce.org319-759-8980 Launched a healthcare sector strategy group forthe Mississippi Valley Workforce DevelopmentBoard. Brought together executive leaders fromhealthcare organizations throughout eightcounties in Eastern Iowa. Strategic Plan Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas Southeast Texas 2020 - 2024 Kevin King Operations Manager Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas kevin.king@setworks.org Phone: (409) 719-4756 Delivered four-year local strategic plan. Conducted industry-specific listening sessions over a multi-year period encompassing nearly 15 sessions conducted. Delivery of reports and analysis based on industry needs to help realign local American Job Center and committee work. Listening sessions led to process improvements for placing individuals into training programs and adding specific occupations to local area target occupations lists based on industry feedback. Strategic PlanWorkforce Alliance Wichita, KS2019 Keith LawingPresident & CEOWorkforce AlliancePhone: (316) 771-6603 keith@workforce-ks.com Phone: (316) 640-1405 Developed a strategic plan for a nonprofitworkforce development board located in Wichita,Kansas. An introspective organizational reviewand analysis of similar organizations insurrounding states led to the creation of a newboard committee focused on specific workforceneeds. SIMILAR RECENT PROJECTS 17 PROPOSED SOLUTION,PRESENT + PROJECTED WORKLOAD, WORK WITH THE CITY OF BOZEMAN 18 WORKING VENTURES PROPOSED SOLUTION 19 WORKING VENTURES Working Ventures proposes a comprehensive, community-centered communication strategy that fulfills the Study Commission’s mandate to educate, engage, and involve the public in Bozeman’s local government study process. Our solution is rooted in three key principles: clarity of communication, equity in engagement, and legal compliance with state and local guidelines regarding ballot-related public education. To meet the project’s goals, we will begin by establishing a clear and inclusive communications framework in collaboration with the Study Commission. This includes developing core messages that explain the Commission’s role, timelines, and opportunities for participation, as well as designing outreach materials that are accessible across digital and print platforms. Our team will lead the design and deployment of both a community-wide survey and a staff survey in coordination with the Local Government Center, ensuring each is tailored to generate meaningful feedback for the Commission. Working Ventures will support and facilitate a range of engagement opportunities outlined in the Public Engagement Plan, including stakeholder meetings, community group outreach, open house-style public meetings, and 2–3 facilitated community workshops in Winter 2026. We will develop educational content for each phase of the process and produce written summaries of community input to help inform the Commission’s deliberations. Our team will also assist in the development of a summary fact sheet and presentation materials for the tentative report and help facilitate 1–2 public dialogue sessions on the report in Spring 2026. If needed, we will support the Commission’s voter education efforts in Summer 2026— ensuring strict adherence to laws prohibiting advocacy. Our proposed solution offers the Study Commission a trusted communications partner who understands how to translate complex civic processes into approachable public dialogue. Through consistent collaboration, culturally competent outreach, and strategic messaging, Working Ventures will help ensure the Commission’s work is transparent, inclusive, and widely understood across the Bozeman community. PRESENT AND PROJECTED WORKLOAD Current Workload and Capacity: As a part-time agency (each of our Principals hold leadership positions within the public sector in Nebraska), we only take on one client at a time and fully dedicate ourselves to that engagement. Our current project is a strategic planning project for a state agency in South Dakota and it is intended to wrap in July 2025. WORK WITH THE CITY OF BOZEMAN Working Ventures has not yet had the opportunity to work directly with the City of Bozeman; however, we have extensive experience leading projects of similar scope that involve strategic communications and robust community engagement. Our portfolio includes work with local governments, workforce boards, and civic commissions across the country, where we have successfully facilitated public outreach, designed accessible engagement materials, and supported complex planning processes. We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with the City of Bozeman and bring our proven approach to support the important work of the Study Commission. REFERENCES 20 REFERENCES 21 WORKING VENTURESWORKING VENTURES CONTACT INFORMATION PROJECT LOCATION TIMEFRAME Keith Lawing President & CEO Workforce Alliance keith@workforce-ks.com Phone: (316) 640-1405 2020-2022 Local Workforce Area Strategic Plan Wichita, Kansas February 2020 to October 2020 Meridith Dillon Director of Strategic Growth and Innovation Blair Freeman Meridith@blairfreeman.com Phone: (402) 990-1527 Weatherization Workforce Initiative through U.S. Department of Energy Omaha, Nebraska August 2024 to Present Miranda Swafford Executive Director Mississippi Valley Workforce Development Board director@mississippivalleyworkforce.org Phone: (319) 759-8980 Employer Engagement and Sector Strategy Planning for the Healthcare Industry Davenport, Iowa June 2024 to September 2024 TRAINING 22 WORKING VENTURES TRAINING PLAN 23 WORKING VENTURES Working Ventures will provide ongoing support and training to ensure the Bozeman Study Commission and key partners are well-prepared to engage with the public and communicate clearly and consistently throughout the duration of the study process. Our training approach is practical, collaborative, and designed to build internal capacity while aligning with the goals of the Engagement and Communication Plans. Our team will offer an initial onboarding and strategy session with the Study Commission to walk through the communications framework, key messaging, accessibility standards, and community engagement tools. This session will include training on how to present neutral, legally compliant educational information in public settings and will address best practices for responding to community input in both in-person and digital formats. As the process advances, we will facilitate additional just-in-time trainings prior to major engagement milestones—such as the launch of the community survey, the open house events, and the public workshops. These sessions may include walkthroughs of presentation materials, facilitation tips, and Q&A sessions to ensure Commissioners feel confident and prepared to communicate effectively with the public. All training materials (slides, handouts, facilitation guides) will be designed to be WCAG-compliant and will be shared digitally for reference and reuse. If needed, we are also available to provide training on using survey tools, capturing feedback effectively, or coordinating logistics for community events. Our goal is to leave the Study Commission equipped with both the tools and confidence to lead a transparent, inclusive process that resonates with Bozeman’s diverse community. 24 COST PROPOSAL CATEGORIES RATE Professional Services 3 consultants × 450 total hours @ $90/hr.Discounted from $110 per hour for publicgovernment work. $40,500 Travel & Lodging (5 site visits)Includes mileage, lodging, meals for in-person visits. 3 trips from Omaha toBozeman $6,300 Materials & Engagement Tools Printing, digital tools, surveys, facilitationsupplies Included Total Project Cost Fixed not-to-exceed amount $46,800 Working Ventures proposes a total project cost of $46,800 to deliver comprehensive communications strategy, public engagement support, and facilitation services for the Bozeman Study Commission. This budget reflects the full scope of work outlined in the RFP and Engagement Plan, including the development of messaging frameworks, survey design and analysis, facilitation of community engagement events, and creation of accessible public education materials. The cost accounts for a collaborative model of delivery that includes significant in-person engagement paired with strategic remote work to ensure efficiency and responsiveness throughout the project timeline. The proposal includes approximately 450 labor hours at a rate of $90/hour, distributed across project planning, stakeholder engagement, content development, accessibility review, and workshop and meeting facilitation. It also includes three in-person trips to Bozeman for two senior consultants to support key phases: survey launch and stakeholder meetings (Fall 2025), public open houses (Winter 2025), and community workshops and report rollout (Spring 2026). Each trip is estimated at three days and includes airfare, hotel accommodations, local transportation, and per diem. All meetings, materials, and deliverables will comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG 2.1 A & AA) and the legal parameters governing public education vs. advocacy. Delivering maximal value for a passion project 25 COST PROPOSAL WORKING VENTURESWORKING VENTURES Thanks! WORKING VENTURESWORKING VENTURES www.working-ventures.com 26