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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeeting Minutes_4-24-12Bozeman Climate Partners Communications & Outreach Working Group / Meeting Minutes April 25th, 2012, 9:00am Bozeman City Hall, Madison Room Members Attending: Jeff Moore, Jay Sinnott, Nick Bentley, Paula Beswick, Benjamin Bennett, Benjamin Bennett, Kathy Powell, Cyndy Andrus (Commission Liaison) Staff Present: Natalie Meyer (Staff Liaison), Emily Baker (Energy Corps Member) Call to Order Changes to the Agenda None Approval of Minutes Minutes approved from meetings on 4/4/2012 and 4/18/2012 Public Comment None Action Items Select a designer for the Bozeman Climate Partners’ logo. Natalie Meyer reminded the group that the bid we had decided upon at the last meeting has been withdrawn. Meyer talked to all active members of the group between meetings, to discuss whether members thought we could move our choice of designer to the highest numerically point-ranked person, being Brad Bunker. The only objections heard to this were based on cost; with Thorpe’s proposal withdrawn, bids are in a very similar price range, likely reflecting the typical market value for this type of work. Cyndy Andrus inquired whether it might be possible to borrow more money for this group from the budgets of other Climate Action Plan initiatives. Meyer replied that it is possible, perhaps from the Idle-Free group, or LED pilot project, but is not something we should count on. Group considered a motion to select the proposal submitted by Brad Bunker of Engine 8 for the Bozeman Climate Partners’ logo design. All in favor; none opposed. Discussion Branding Presenting the BCP to Brad Bunker. We seek to have a unified voice, to streamline the process (Meyer). Ben Bennett said that at this point, in his experience as a designer, Brad will likely just be trying to soak up who we are as a group, and what we are looking for in broad strokes. Group wants logo to last a long time – be able to be used with city climate action initiatives for many years to come. Brand Discovery Exercise with Brad Bunkers Brad Bunkers arrives, brief group introductions. Bunkers outlined the typical process he uses to develop a logo. Ben Bennett gave a background of the self-definition and branding the group has done so far, including our core values, and tagline. Discussion: What is the Climate Action Plan/ the BCP? How can a multifaceted plan be put into a single graphic? Don’t want a cloud, a recycling symbol, and a smoking factory all in one. Brief background on the history of the Climate Action Plan by Meyer; group discussion of importance of various pieces of the plan, and relative impacts to global climate change. Bunkers went over the basic things he drew out of the online form about brand discovery that group members were asked to fill out before the meeting. Group liked what he had drawn out; agreed it was the most central idea of who the group is, and what it will do. Bunkers inquired about our target audience. Survey drew out three categories: choir, indifferent, and deniers. Bentley communicated our earlier discussion of not needing to necessarily convince the deniers, but perhaps simply be receptive to them, while motivating the choir and fence-sitters. Powell said we must reach all ages, as this is an action-now kind of thing, not just a yonger generation who will take action in the future. Bunkers summarized the group discussion in saying it shouldn’t be too hip, and it should be designed to last. Moore mentioned we want it to appeal to contractors, homeonwers, people who would be interested in partnering on weatherization/ investing in green properites. We need a level of trust, not just hip-ness. Powell made the point that sub-group for specific projects (idling, kids outreach, contractors) can have their own logos and outreach. Andrus informed Bunkers of our prior discussions on creating a logo through a competition of children’s art. We decided that the group would benefit from a more professional logo. Sinnott siad we need to get alternative energy implemented soon, numerically. Beswick said we want to create something that doesn’t make people say ‘dang environmentalists’ immediately. Bennett mentioned we’re encouraging dialogue. Meyer pointed the group to the recommendation by the MSU marketing class to use target audiences of 18-35 renters, and older more affluent homeowners. Andrus said that the money-saving factor of energy saving resonates with all. Bunkers said that the logo is just an identifier; he doesn’t plan to make a quilt of all the many things that make up our effort to reduce our carbon footprint. Bennett said his input would be to take design cues from our core values. Bunkers outlined what he will deliver to the group: Start with Black and White images (pinpoint design directions). Then move to color, with second set of deliverables. Moore mentioned how “climate” can refer to social and economic climate as well, which is a nice key-in to sustainability. Bunkers asked the group to give adjectives to describe the group: Powell: motivating Meyer: inspiring Moore: do it better, champion citizen Beswick: we want to facilitate community in leading Sinnottt mentioned that Al Gore wrote a great book on climate change; he recommended Bunkers check it out for ideas. Beswick mentioned that environmental work is always ongoing; always moving forward. Powell said that education is an ongoing struggle, as there are always new audiences to work with. Bunkers discussed the schedule with the group; we can discuss how many future meetings will be needed, based upon reaction to the logos Bunkers presents at our next meeting. Next meeting (May 2nd) , group will move forward on the website design, and bunkers will return with preliminary ideas at meeting after that (May 16th). With 5 Mondays in April, the group is reminded we meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month, not every-other week. FYI/ Other Gallatin Earth Celebration successful. Idle Free Bozeman is up and running, developing methods to gauge current idling habits in Bozeman, compiling the facts, and beginning to think about effective communications. Commercial Benchmarking workgroup: In process of recruiting people to join; looking for an interested realtor. One goal: recruit businesses to voluntarily give energy and water use information, for benchmarking to compare across the country. Home Energy Score something to consider. Compost bin sale coming up, May 19th and June 2nd. Tables outside the co-op? Should we sell rain barrels as well (Andrus)? Solar hot water workshop upcoming, will be given June 30th by Susan Bilo of MSU extension. Trust movie on atmospheric trust litigation will be shown May 5th at the Emerson. The Bozeman Climate Alliance will hold its next meeting May 22nd.