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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-15-2009 - 4mORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 15, 2009 Action Agenda Item No. 4 -m SUBJECT• Agenda Abstract Writing Training DEPARTMENT: Human Resources PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Consultant Resume Proposal INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael McGinnis, Human Resources Director, 245-2552 PURPOSE: To approve a contract with Keith Hayes Writers to develop a style guide for the writing of agenda abstracts. BACKGROUND: In January 2009, the Manager directed Human Resources to develop an agenda writing training program for department directors. This was in line with the Manager's concern about the consistency and quality of the agenda abstracts being forwarded for Board agendas. The Board has also provided input amplifying this need. In February 2009, initial contact was made with Keith Hayes, LLC, a local professional writing consultant with experience working in both the private and public sector to improve management writing skills. Mr. Hayes has spent twenty years in corporate communications, fourteen working for public relations agencies in Toronto and Raleigh and six leading employee communications for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Mr. Hayes has also taught business writing at NC State for twelve years. (See attached resume). The Manager and Human Resources staff conducted discussions with the consultant to determine the professional capability and suitability to meet these needs. Based on these discussions a training program was outlined to include introductory meetings with department directors and individual meetings as needed and requested by staff. This initial phase was accomplished in April 2009 and two training sessions with department directors were conducted in May 2009. The consultant also met with individual department directors on specific agenda abstracts. Mr. Hayes has provided an updated training plan indicating future services and the associated fees. These include the development of a style guide, monthly writing workshops and individual coaching with directors on abstract writing. (See attached proposal). Mr. Hayes has requested the opportunity to meet with a representative of the Board members and receive direction related to the desired format and style to be used in the writing of agenda abstracts. This feedback would be used in the development of a style guide for Orange County agenda item abstracts. 2 FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost for the consultant is currently being paid from the Human Resources training budget. The initial cost for all meetings with staff, the development of the training workshops and the presentations to the department directors over the last several months has been $3,000. The Manager's recommendation requests approval of a contract with Keith Hayes Writing for the development of the agenda writing style guide. The cost for the development of a style guide is $2,100 and would be paid out of the Human Resources training budget. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve a contract with Keith Hayes Writers for the development of a style guide for the writing of agenda item abstracts. Keith Rates, Resume 1713 Pathway Drive Carrboro, NC 27510 919.923.1178 keith(c~hayeswriting.com Career Summary: Twenty-two years of professional communications experience in agency and corporate settings, including fifteen years in management and leadership positions. Keith Haves, Writer, LLC Carrboro, North Carolina President - 2009 Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NC Durham, North Carolina Director, Internal Communications - 2005-2008 Manager, Internal Communications - 2002-2005 Owner of professional services company specializing in marketing communications. Directed all aspects of internal communications, including setting strategy, overseeing execution and ensuring results. Supported all business units, 35 vice presidents and all C-suite executives. Managed staff of eight, and annual budgets reaching $2.2M. Redeveloped corporate Intranet, including the implementation of an enterprise web content management system. Responsible for training and performance of 250 web authors. The Catevo Group Managed agency teams of up to ten people. Served Raleigh, North Carolina as primary client contact for agency's largest clients. Director, Client Services - 1998-2002 Set and executed a range of communications plans, Account Supervisor - 1994-2002 including media relations, association building, and public policy development. Helped achieve business growth reaching annual total of $775,000. Hill & Knowlton Public Relations Set and executed communications plans for a range of Toronto, Ontario agency clients in real estate, financial services, mining Account Manager - 1992-1994 and consumer products areas. Weaver Street Market Responsible for all advertising, communications, Carrboro, North Carolina marketing and community relations for leading local Director, Marketing Communications - retailer. 1990-1992 Hill & Knowlton Public Relations Toronto, Ontario Writer -1987-1990 Education PhD Candidate, English Literature University of Toronto: 1983-1987 Masters, English Literature Fordham University: 1983 Bachelors, English Literature Fairleigh Dickinson University: 1981 Served as lead writer for agency office of 150 communications professionals. Wrote speeches, media materials, marketing collaterals, annual reports and other items for a range of clients in consumer products, travel and real estate industries. Affiliations ^ Board Member, Food Bank of North Carolina ^ Chair, Public Relations Society of America Corporate Communications Section ^ Chair, Public Relations Society of America NC Chapter ^ Accredited in Public Relations O KEITHHAYES WRITERS Proposal i7i3 Pathway Drive Carrboro, NC z75io keith _ hayeswriting.com gsg.gz3.si78 The Orange County Manager's Office has requested a proposal from Keith Hayes to provide writing training services to department heads and to work with the Board of County Commissioners to develop a writing style guide to standardize abstracts and other County writing. Objectives of the program are: • Provide practical training to department heads so that materials they produce for the Board of Country Commissions and for public distribution are clear, succinct, informative and easy to read. • Enable department managers to help each other improve their writing. • With the Board of County Commissioners, articulate standards for writing that all Commissioners can agree upon and clarify Board expectations of staff writing. • Elevate the quality abstracts with six months of program implementation. Elements ale Guide for Orange Country Abstracts, Agenda Items and other public documents • 4-6 page guide on key aspects of writing • Solicit Board input at outset of project • Work with Board subcommittee to develop content • Secure consensus on style guide from full board • Share with department heads at writing workshop, ideally September or October • Cost: ~zioo Monthly writing workshops • s-hour workshops monthly, beginning September • Total of 6-8, at the discretion of Orange County Manager's Office •• Cost: $85o per workshop Individual writing coaching and editing • Keith Hayes will edit abstracts for any department head as they request • Keith will also review edits individually with the department head to reinforce ideas presented in workshops • Cost: $75 per engagement to be billed on a monthly basis, along with workshop fee ~~ ' ~wlilElS