Communications Guideline
Public communication materials are vital to the work of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program (Program). It is important that all outreach materials produced by Program staff and/or with Program funding are technically accurate, well written, and consistent with Program’s direction. In order to receive Program funding, all brochures, web pages and other communications must follow the steps, and use the tools, described below.
Suburban Cities need only to comply with steps four (4) and six (6) of the Communications Advisory Committee checklist
Program goals and key messages
Public outreach material must align with, and support, the Program’s mission:
The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County (Program) is a multi-jurisdictional program whose mission is to protect and enhance public health and environmental quality throughout King County by reducing the threat posed by the production, use, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.
Step One: COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING
Use the following tools to develop new or significantly revised communications pieces. Your brochure, flier, web page or other communication piece will need to meet these criteria to be funded by the Program.
- Communication Materials Checklists.
These checklists, for web site and for media/outreach materials, provide basic steps that you will be required to take to make sure that your proposed communication 1) is consistent with the Program’s strategic direction, 2) is technically accurate, 3) is edited for punctuation, grammar, and readability; and 4) meets attribution and other criteria. - Communications Planning Worksheet
Use this planning worksheet, or your agency’s equivalent process, to think through whom you are trying to reach and what messages you are trying to convey. The following links have demographic information for King County and City of Seattle populations. Please refer to this information to help with your planning process. - Planning for outreach to underserved populations
- Translations for people who speak languages other than English
If your audience does not speak English you may want to translate your materials. This section provides general information about translating materials, as well as: - Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidance
All Program-funded material must comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means that it must have a disclaimer providing information about who to call for information in alternative formats. - Logos
All material funded by the Program must give attribution to the Program and in most cases must use the Program's logo (the pink water droplets.) Other approved logos are posted on this web page. - Standard language for HHW services
Basic program services must be referred to consistently in Program materials. Please use the following standard language where appropriate.
Step Two: THE BASICS OF HOW TO CREATE A COMMUNICATION PIECE
The guidance, tools and staff resources listed here help you develop your communication piece. They will also help you finalize your printing plans so that you are ready for submitting work to graphics staff.
Resources to assist you in writing your communication piece:
- Program Communications staff who can answer your questions:
- Mary Rabourn – mary.rabourn@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-3083
- Gerty Coville – gerty.coville@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-8459
- Writing guides and other resources
King County Editorial Style Manual
Web writing guidelines:
Web design and usability guidelines (includes a section on writing for the Web)
Writing for the Web - Graphics – Talk to Mary Rabourn or your internal graphic artist about layout and design options
- Video and TV resources are available through King County Water and Land Resources Division. Contact Mary Rabourn by phone at 206-263-3083 to discuss and schedule your project.
- Suburban City Materials
- Guidelines are available for the use of Program letterhead. Please discuss questions about custom applications for your project with Jay Watson at (206) 240-5977.
- Fact sheet instructions
- Project reports: Technical Reports and report template
Resources to assist you in producing your communication piece:
Contact our Program Communication Specialist, Mary Rabourn by phone at 206-263-3083, to discuss options for producing your communications piece.
Step Three: FINALIZING THE DRAFT
When you are almost ready to go to print with your piece, it must be submitted for final review to the Communications Advisory Committee (CAC)
In order to receive Program funding for your communications piece both it and a completed Communications Materials Checklist must be submitted to the CAC. Submit your product and a completed checklist to the CAC for review and rapid feedback (within 3 working days).
Step Four: DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES
This resource helps you plan how you will distribute your piece. Taking this step will help you determine how many copies to print.
Distribution links and contacts - for general public information:
King County Library Distribution Guidelines:
To post material in the Metro Bus Tunnel, contact Glynnis Vaughn, DNRP Public Affairs at 206-296-1980. Glynnis will also assist you in creating a banner for your display. She is also the contact to distribute your materials at county-wide public events.
Working with the media
Contact our Program Communication Specialist, Mary Rabourn by phone at 206-263-3083, to discuss options for producing your communications piece.
