Ann Green Communications

Public Outreach Programs

Community Advisory Panels

Ann Green Communications’ professionals are seasoned veterans from media, public relations and public administration fields. We have learned that trust is essential for meaningful and sustainable relationships between businesses and their stakeholders

From our long-term experience in the chemical industry, we have seen the necessity of building bridges from plants to neighborhoods. Our most successful, enduring bridge is the Community Advisory Panel.

Ann Green Communications organizes, manages and facilitates dozens of community advisory panels (CAPs) across the country, perhaps more than any other firm. We have seen first-hand how trust is built from the face-to-face, candid discussions about mutual interests and concerns. Panels allow emotional and difficult issues to be explored in an atmosphere that strives for win-win solutions. Our trained facilitators use team-building and problem-solving techniques to assist our clients and their constituencies to overcome difficult, sometimes seemingly insurmountable hurdles to finding the best path for all involved.

Our experience with CAPs in the chemical industry is now benefiting other industries including petroleum, paper, coal, phosphate mining, cement, wind and utilities. The businesses we serve recognize how important the good will of their key audiences is to their success, even survival. The chemical plant or refinery manager gets much-needed support from the neighbors on his CAP and is granted critical operating permits. The utility operator learns from the customers on her liaison panel about service issues that need addressing. The investment in time and money in a community advisory panel has come back many fold to their bottom lines.

Our clients also benefit from the third-party, independent facilitation and leadership we provide our CAPs. Professional, experienced facilitators lead participants to resolution and avoid needless confrontations that hinder long-term relationships. In addition, we bring ideas for meaningful group activities that build teams and solve problems. Our administrative support staff assures meeting details and correspondence are handled properly and always take the time to make panel members feel an important part of the process.

Ann Green Communications has developed successful relationship-building mechanisms for many companies in locations across the country. Others may be able to run a meeting, but true understanding of the dynamics of the panel process and the leadership skills to make them the best possible investment of your time and other resources means hiring the best—Ann Green Communications.

Remediation

Public participation is the key to Ann Green Communications’ approach to developing and implementing communications plans for remediation projects. Our professionals work with clients responsible for remediating Superfund, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Brownfields sites. Where there is off-site contamination or the potential for it, our programs enable the public to have input to the cleanup process. This two-way communication link between the public and the clients results in trusting relationships.

Our public outreach services include: community liaison panels (CLP), public availability sessions in which community members can meet with potentially responsible parties (PRPs), contractors and agency officials, individual meetings with key local officials, and personal outreach to adjacent property owners.

Ann Green Communications provides overall coordination and management of the communication process by:

• Identifying the current status of communication about the project,
• Ascertaining key stakeholders' views,
• Developing and implementing a detailed communication plan, and
• Coordinating communication activities with regulatory agencies.

 

Sometimes the best way to help neighbors and other stakeholders understand a remediation project is to hold an open house or public participation session. Ann Green Communications believes it has a unique and proven strategy for dealing with challenging, environmentally sensitive industrial projects, including siting of new facilities. Some communities demand more attention than others based on the existing community relationships and operating history in a region. Ann Green Communications can provide turn-key planning support and training to help your organization share important information with neighbors and community members.

Public Relations

Ann Green Communications’ consultants bring public relations expertise from years of experience in print media and news broadcasting, public affairs, corporate communications, public relations, marketing and management. We offer innovative approaches to bring your messages to the public.

Public Relations services available include:

• Crisis Communications Counseling
• Issues Management and Strategic Communications
• Media Relations
• Special Events/Exhibits/Conferences
• Employee Communications Programs
• Feature Story Development, Placement and Publicity