Communications and Outreach Work Group Meeting Minutes
February 21, 2001

Attendees:

Kowetha Davidson
Susan Kaplan, Chair
James Lewis
Bill Murray

Teleconference:

LaFreta Dalton
Ed Fromme
Jack Hanley

Presenter:

Ann Rigell

Note: Action items are underlined.

Ann Rigell of the Training and Employee Development group of the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) met with the Communications and Outreach Work Group (COWG) to discuss the possibility of conducting a consensus building and conflict resolution session for ORRHES based on nominal group techniques and a Myers Briggs personality analysis of Subcommittee members. She estimated a total of 16 hours of her time would be required to prepare and conduct the class, which could be based on two issues of concern for the Subcommittee (e.g., Robert's Rules/reaching consensus and focus group selection). However, questions were raised regarding possible overlap with George Washington University (GWU) focus group activities. As a result, no final decision was made regarding a recommendation of the session to the Subcommittee. It was decided that COWG members will meet again soon, i.e., after obtaining additional input from GWU.

The COWG reached consensus on the final wording of the mission statement and will recommend to ORRHES for final approval.

The COWG discussed the communications strategy proposed by ATSDR. Susan Kaplan agreed to further develop the strategy and to write a draft request to adopt the revised strategy (see attachment). She will finalize the request prior to the next ORRHES meeting based on comments received.

James Lewis agreed to work on a procedure for streamlining public participation in work group meetings. The need for such a procedure became apparent at the previous Needs Assessment Work Group meeting when a member of the public arrived late for the meeting. James has requested that we share the follow-on communication from that person with ORRHES and discuss it at the next Subcommittee meeting.

After some discussion by the COWG on an approach, Susan Kaplan agreed to write a procedure for writing and issuing a press release (see attached proposed communications strategy) by the end of the final day of each Subcommittee meeting.