COMMUNITY COMMUNICATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT


DO-IT-OURSELVES COMMUNICATION


(Note: This is a community needs, skills and resources assessment for Communities In Schools Newfoundland facilitators ('WE').Naming of equipment doesn't mean you must have it in order to communicate. For example, a newsletter can be produced with pen, paper and photocopier.)

1. To produce a newsletter, we have access to:
___ typewriter
who/where?
___ computer with printer
who/where?
___ photocopier
who/where?
___ 35 mm. camera/darkroom
who/where?
___ digital camera
who/where?
___ fax
who/where?
___ E-mail
who/where?
___ film
who/where?
___ photo processing (darkroom) supplies
who/where?
___ pasteup supplies
who/where?
___ paper
who/where?

2. To produce a video report or participatory evaluation interview, we have access to:
___ video camcorder
who/where?
___ tripod
who/where?
___ microphone
who/where?
___ television monitor
who/where?
___ videotape
who/where?


3. To teleconference, we have access to:
___ teleconferencing facilities
who/where?

4. To E-Mail, interact on the CIS discussion board and visit the CIS web site, we have access to:
___ computer with software and modem
who/where?
___ access to a local internet service provider
who/where?
___ local dial-up numbers
what are they?
___ addresses for board and site
what are they?

5. To produce a web site, we have access to:
___ computer with software and modem
who/where?
___ access to local internet service provider
who/where?
___ file transfer protocol software
who/where?
___ free web site space
who/where?


COMMUNICATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT

SECTION TWO

MAINSTREAM MEDIA


The basis of external communication from the group to the community is getting to know your local media conduits. In other words, get to know on a first name basis the people who can help, whether that person be the program manager at the local radio station or the grocery manager who controls the community bulletin board.

1. Does your community have community cable television? Are volunteers (groups) allowed to produce programming? (See a recipe for community television.)
who/where?

2. Does your community have a local newspaper? Will they use press releases and photos from your group?
who/where?

3. Who is your local representative for the regional (national) newspaper? Do you know reporters who normally report on events and issues relevant to your group?
who/where?

4. Does your community have a local radio station? What is their policy on public service announcements? Do they have any time slots available for programming from your group?
who/where?

5. Do you have a community or college radio station? Is it possible for your group to produce a program or special?
who/where?

6. Which of these tools of community communications would work for you and be useful in your community?

___ press release
who/where?
___ black and white photographs
who/where?
___ posters
who/where?
___ public forums (meetings)
who/where?
___ public service announcements
who/where?
___ radio programs
who/where?
___ radio phone-ins
who/where?
interviews with reporters
who/where?
___ letters to the editor
who/where?
___ newspaper column
who/where?
___ newsletter
who/where?
___ other groups' newsletters
who/where?
___ community television
who/where?
___ video productions
who/where?
___ newspaper wall
who/where?
___ bulletin boards
who/where?
___ church bulletins
who/where?
___ popular theatre
who/where?
___ popular songwriting
who/where?



RECIPE FOR COMMUNITY TELEVISION (ryakuga@web.net)

Contact cable companyWho? Phone number?
Arrange a siteWhere? Contact person?
Help from schoolsCamera people...
Switcher, audio mixer
(5 or more)
News writers and readers (2 or more)
Hosts (2)
Posters
Publicity notices sent home
Local videotapesWatch before airing
Local musiciansAs many as possible
Phone-in panel
discussion
Topic?
Moderator?
Panelists (4)
Planning meeting...
Where? When?
Seeded calls - who?
Publicize the eventList the ways. Who?
Prepare a program
(make copies)
Format is live segment, then taped segment and so on.




WHATWHENWHO


NOTE: THE BASIC RULE OF COMMUNITY TV IS START ON TIME. PROGRAMMING IS EASIER IF YOU ALTERNATE LIVE PROGRAMS WITH TAPED PROGRAMS. TRY TO BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ALLOW FOR SPONTANEOUS PROGRAMMING. CHECK OUT THE RYAKUGA RECIPE FOR COMMUNITY TV.



INDEX