Communication Plan presented by Jannet Walsh, May 14, 2014

The Rural Information Technology Alliance (RITA)
Brief Overview

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Consortium of four community colleges

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Funded by a United States Department of Labor Grant, DOL

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Total Grant Award is more than $18.3 million ($18,317,022) 

The Rural Information Technology Alliance (RITA)
Brief Overview

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The aim of the grant is to create and enhance programs to build
in-demand cyber skills in rural areas.

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The grant will foster deeper partnerships between community colleges,
employers and other community partners. 

The Rural Information Technology Alliance (RITA)
Brief Overview

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Funding is part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community
College and Career Training grant program, DOL.

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Learn more at DOL website:

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20131932.htm 

The Rural Information Technology Alliance (RITA)
Total Consortium Award: $18,317,022
20%

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Pine Technical College, Pine City, MN
Consortium Leader

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North Central Texas College, Gainesville, TX

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Central Lakes College, Brainerd, MN

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Ridgewater College, Hutchinson and Willmar, MN

17%

25%
38%

Ridgewater Community College
North Central Texas Community College
Pine Technical College
Central Lakes College 

Agenda
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Objective

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Purpose

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Target Audience

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Strategies

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Tactics

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Budget

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Measurement 

Objective

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Objective: To clearly communicate how to spend grant funds and what
specific progress is underway. A variety of communication tools and
resources will be used for effective community outreach. 

Purpose

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Purpose: To inform potential students, displaced workers and
residents, especially those impacted by foreign trade, of the more than
$18.3 million available for education and training under the rural tech
grant.

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To inform potential employers, workforce centers, philanthropic
organizations, community partners and media about the grant. 

Target Audience

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PRIMARY: Potential students, displaced workers and residents living
within the grant’s coverage area

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SECONDARY: Employers (regional, national and international
employers wanting to relocate within the grant’s area of impact),
workforce centers, philanthropic organizations, community partners and
media 

Strategies
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Media Channels: Heavy impact on the laid off worker and potential
students

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Education: Adult and student services related to workforce and training
opportunities

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Public and Community Events: Job and resource fairs, career
workshops, public and community gatherings, public library and more

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Employer recruiting - Potential employers looking for training or to hire
employees 

Strategies
Talent Portfolios - Connecting employers with prospective employees
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Brochure or handouts used to promote graduates to prospective
employers by local college, workforce or economic development
agencies

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Includes training, skills and summary of graduates

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Can be used at trade shows, mailings and more 

Talent Portfolio - Employer Recruitment

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Design by Jannet Walsh 

US Department of Labor funded cyber training

Talent Porfolio

The Rural Information Technology Alliance

Talent Portfolio
Employer
Recruitment 

Tactics

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Media Channels/Outlets: The media will help inform about the training
and education opportunities available to displaced workers, residents,
potential employers, workforce system, philanthropic organizations and
other community partners. 

Tactics
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Traditional Outlets: Print (local and regional press), TV, Radio through
aggressive public relations

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New Outlets: Internet, blogs, blog communities attached to local
newspapers and websites, newsletters, social media and more

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Education: Scholarships and grants for qualified students through
rural tech grant

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Training: Career launch and professional workshops, rural tech expos,
job fairs and local college campus technology information events 

Website Information
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Accountability: Provide information that allows citizens to evaluate the
grants progress and provide feedback.

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Weekly updates: Provide blog postings, videos, downloadable
documents, news updates, social networking such as Facebook,Twitter,
LinkedIn and more. Sharing tools to link and share information on
website will be provided for visitors. YouTube and also Vimeo site to
educate and inform.

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Newsletters: Provide an online newsletter such as MailChimp, or blog
post, available online in a PDF, and emailed to partners, Congress,
media and all stakeholders and community partners. 

Website Information

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Education: The website will explain the rural technology grant and
how it will help local citizens in the targeted regions.

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Transparency: Show how, when and where the money is spent in
local regions. 

Website - Rural Information Technology Alliance
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Content Management System: WordPress based open software
allowing for quick updates and easy design with themes or design
suites.

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RITA website link to college websites on home pages

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Site registration: Registration, not required, allows visitors to receive
news updates, blogs and current details on grant and featured events.

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Social Media: RITA social media, such as Facebook, YouTube and
more, located at the top of website, along site registration. 

Web Pages

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Home

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Media Room

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About

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Videos

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News

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Job Seekers

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Resources

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Employers

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Contact

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More pages as needed 

Website - Rural Information Technology Alliance

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Responsive website design: Allows visitors to view on all devices,
from smart phone, tablet, laptop and desktop. 

Website - Rural Information Technology Alliance

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Laptop,
desktop
and
tablet
website

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Test site http://74.220.219.73/~jannetwa/rita 

Website - Rural Information Technology Alliance

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iPhone
website

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Test site http://74.220.219.73/~jannetwa/rita 

Website Information

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Promotional Video: A simple promotional video, 30 to 60 seconds, in
addition to a longer video, about two minutes, about the grant

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Video posted on the home page and the video page 

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Promotional Video - http://74.220.219.73/~jannetwa/rita/
videos
Vimeo Link - http://vimeo.com/jannetwalsh/rita 

Website Information
Career Tool Box - Resources
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Video tutorials - Create a free WordPress website to promote resume,
job search, portfolio and more

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Resume help - How to create a simple resume, cover letter and thank
you letter or email

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Resume video - How to make your own resume video or promote your
small business

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Dress for success - How to dress for job interview

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More career related videos: Short videos with tips for job seekers
wanting an edge in the market 

Website Information

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Media Room: Provide contact information, grant summary, promotional
video, press releases, photos and more for media working on deadline
or are interested in learning more about the program. 

US Department of Labor funded cyber training

Technology Careers

Unemployed or want to create a bright future?
The Rural Information Technology Alliance (RITA) currently has
scholarships available for information technology careers.

Find out if you are qualifed now!
Pine Technical College
Contact details
Website

Central Lakes College
Contact details
Website

Ridgewater College
Contact details
Website

North Central Texas College
Contact details
Website

Print
and
Poster Sample 

RURAL CYBER TRAINING
US Department of Labor funded tech training

Unemployed or want to create a bright future?
The Rural Information Technology Alliance (RITA) currently has
scholarships available for information technology careers.

Find out if you are qualifed now!
Pine Technical College

Ridgewater College

Central Lakes College

North Central Texas College

Contact details
Website

Contact details
Website

Contact details
Website

Contact details
Website

Print
and
Poster Sample 

US Department of Labor
Trade Adjustment Assistance
http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/pdf/2011_brochure.pdf

University of Hawai’i Community Colleges
Brochure and website
http://uhcc.hawaii.edu/c3t
http://uhcc.hawaii.edu/c3t/C3T_Hawaii_brochure_rev%207.18.2013.pdf 

Ridgewater Community College
North Central Texas Community College
Pine Technical College
Central Lakes College

Budget
Grant Award more than $18.3 million ($18,317,022)
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Pine Technical College, Pine City, MN
Consortium Leader, Grant: $6,898,193

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North Central Texas College, Gainesville, TX
Grant: $4,660,429

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•

20%

17%

$18,317,022

Central Lakes College, Brainerd, MN
Grant: $3,710,338
Ridgewater College, Hutchinson and Willmar, MN
Grant: $3,048,062

25%
38% 

Measurement
“Remember MAE”

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Measurement: Examination once a month on outreach and impact

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Assessment: Examination once a month on findings

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Evaluation: Re-examination of tactics for either improvement or
maintaining strategies 

Questions?
Visit Portfolio
http://jannetwalsh.com/portfolio
jannetwalsh@gmail.com

Communication Plan presented by Jannet Walsh, May 14, 2014