“ Communications Strategy For An ISWA National Member Association”
Chris Murphy Deputy Chief Executive – CIWM Andrew Kouskouris Member of B.D of HSWMA Introduction
The purpose of this presentation is to provide guidelines
to our NM’A to be more active and effective This issue is huge and we chose to base it on a Communications Strategy with some practical considerations The proposal we present is extremely comprehensive but we set challenging targets for the 21 Century. Agenda List of topics to be covered
– Additional Minimum Requirements Of
National Members By ISWA – Education , Training, Research – New Generation Groups – Establishing Regional Chapters – Improving Knowledge, Management and Access to Data – Improving Communication Strategy – Marketing , Promotion and Membership Campaigns – Development – National Member Performance Measurements Additional Minimum Requirements Of National Members By ISWA
Pay membership fees
Submit an annual report to ISWA on country activities Organize at least one ISWA event in our country each year, such as workshops, working groups meeting, National Assembly, press conference etc. Publication / article every other year Actively promote and create new membership for ISWA Participate in the Regional Development Networks where appropriate Send at least one member to at least one Working Group each year Participate in the General Assembly Participate in Beacon Conferences when within the region Recommend technical papers for ISWA Publication Award Education , Training, Research 1
Education: There should be a listing of available training
and education in each of the national member countries(1) Coordinating work with other organizations providing waste management education and training (2) Research: Supporting collaboration between research bodies, government departments and others (3) NM’A could co-operate with a number of universities on research and further could accredit masters programmes. Education , Training, Research 2
Supporting the activities of the municipalities in undertaking
this work, providing the information , raising awareness and education for the public best practice. Innovate: - Applied Research projects in solid waste management Subscribers could pay a “ penny per ton” of waste managed to directly participate in the research activities”(1) Subscribers could be directly involved through: - identifying and defining research topics - participating in project review meetings held in conjunction with related bodies/ organisations - having direct access to interim results and final work products Waste Awareness Certificate(2) - Raising awareness of waste and environmental issues within small and medium enterprises. Scholarships /Awards
In order to prepare the next generation for the
environmental solid waste, NM”s: must develop several scholarships and interim programs for students studying in fields related to solid waste management(1). New Generation Groups /
These groups will be open to those new to the industry.
Not exclusively as students or graduates and others. The aims of the New Generation Group are to: - Organize events, visits and meetings for Students, Graduates - Encourage new members to participate in the work of the NM’A - Raise the profile of the NM’A across all ranges in the waste industry - Develop a dialogue between new and established members - Network with educational establishments and all sectors of the waste industry Working Groups / Task Forces
Set up Working Groups and Task Forces appropriate to
the needs of the NMA and mirroring the ISWA Working Groups Establishing Regional Chapters
This helps to provide practical seminars, meetings and
networking at a local level rather than members having to travel long distances. This will depend exclusively on the geographical scale of the national member. For larger countries with small number of ISWA members there may not be the critical mass to establish regional chapters (1) Improving Knowledge, Management and Access to Data
Strong support is needed to develop networking and
Knowledge exchange among members. Some tools and activities are suggested: Sharing key issues in technical and social aspects in SWM Highlighting communication between members Exchange of ‘success’ stories and experiences Public and Private Partnerships Staff exchanges Meeting with major organisations and individuals Graduate/student network as a permanent institution among NM’A Network focus in a particular region Improving Communication Strategy 1
An appropriate communication strategy is essential for all
NM’A For national members with a large geographic spread the only realistic means of communication is through electronic means, email, website information etc Members should initially seek to establish electronic communications and then if possible and feasible to widen that into published bulletins , newsletters, journals etc. For those wishing to establish the ultimate communication service the following are suggested: - Press releases and newsletters, manage the website to include a chatroom - Notes and minutes from board, working groups, task forces and web based conferences - Design collaterals (brochure presentations) assist in events organization as Improving Communication Strategy 2
Executive Update (monthly), which looks at business
issues , such a competition covenants(1) , employment policies , safety programs, etc. Members E-news (weekly) , which summarizes news stories about solid waste management issues or this service to which interested persons could subscribe free. Develop and distribute a directory of members with their profiles as well as have that upload on the website in English Language to access for lobbying. Information Service- Answers to your waste management enquiries. A limited amount of time can be spent on each enquiry but additional contacts for further information can be provided. Participation in the World day for Environment Press briefs Improving Communication Strategy 3
Creation of an observatory(1) with most important
issues from companies, associations, newsletter, mailing lists Publicizing all or some of decisions of board of directors Announcement of our events – conferences – workshops to ISWA and upload them on the website in English Language if it is possible Focus on EU ETC/WMR , USEPA etc, info for our members (Newsletter, reports,studies, legislation, standards etc) Meeting with chief executives of public sector for consultation Media relations (2) Crisis communication and disaster response programs and strategies Marketing , Promotion and Membership Campaigns 1
Influence policies by providing advice
Keep members of NM’A informed on legislation and environmental policies on National and Regional Level Organize visits to the neighboring countries to exchange experiences in the field of waste management promoting if possible establishment of ISWA NM’A if there isn’t there Develop co-operation framework between NM’A ,Government Organizations, Waste Contractors Associations etc. Taking part in environment trades , conferences, workshops Marketing , Promotion and Membership Campaigns 2
Compile a list of other national organizations
(associations, institutes, federation or similar), working wholly or partially in the same field To provide to our members which are not ISWA members with the possibility to read some of the papers of the ISWA Wastes and Research ((1) Become active in the preparation and presentation of position papers, involving members in the debate on waste and resource management issues Develop and distribute a directory of members including a profile and place it on your website in English Language Organize technical visits Management Publish codes of good practices National Member Performance Measurements
We suggest that national members should achieve a
minimum contribution to ISWA through their own activities following as far as possible the recommendations in this presentation. Notwithstanding that each NMA should look to raise the profile, increase membership numbers and address the other responsibilities.. Abbreviations
CIWM ‘ Chartered Institution of Wastes Management’
HSWMA ‘ Hellenic Solid Waste Management Association’ NMA ‘ National Member Association’