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TextFairfax County Communication Strategy Unveiled
Fairfax County Office of Public
Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935, FAX 703-324-2010
July 20, 2005
Fairfax County Communication Strategy Unveiled
Today, Fairfax County unveiled a new strategy designed to give its communications a consistent look, feel and message.
The strategy, which consists of new policies and standards, was created as a part of the county’s overall strategic planning efforts. Since 2002, county agencies have developed strategic plans and budgets aligned with the Board of Supervisors’ priorities and the county’s mission statement and “vision elements.” These elements broadly define the county’s core activities.
Not only will the county’s print and electronic communications adopt consistent standards, but also its communications will be tied more closely to the board’s priorities and the county’s vision elements.
“We want the information that we provide our residents to reinforce our
values as an organization, and we want our residents to feel confident
that we are using our resources wisely by coordinating our programs and
services,” said County Executive Anthony H. Griffin.
Some changes to the county’s communications will be readily apparent to
residents, such as the county’s new letterhead and standardized voice
mail greetings. Other changes will not be visible to the public because
the strategy has streamlined the county’s internal communication
processes. County agencies, for example, will be able to
accesscommunications tools—everything from newsletters to consumer kiosks
to cable television—through a one-stop shopping process. The strategy’s
different components will be implemented in phases during the next year.
“The county’s communication strategy not only accomplishes the goal of a cohesive look, feel and message, but also makes it easier for agencies to provide information,” said Chief Information Officer David J. Molchany.
To this end, the strategy’s components are offered to employees on the county’s Intranet.
Tasked with the job by the county executive, the county’s Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection, Department of Information Technology and Office of Public Affairs spearheaded the strategy’s development. However, 56 staff members from 20 different agencies and two Board of Supervisors offices participated in creating the new policies and standards.
The Board of Supervisors has identified six priorities: strong investment in education; public safety and gang prevention; affordable housing; environmental protection; transportation improvements; and revenue diversification to reduce the burden on homeowners.
The county’s mission is “to protect and enrich the quality of life for the people, neighborhoods and diverse communities of Fairfax County.” The county executes this mission by focusing on seven vision elements: maintaining safe and caring communities; practicing environmental stewardship; building livable spaces; maintaining healthy economies; connecting people and places; creating a culture of engagement; and exercising corporate stewardship.
To learn more about the board’s priorities and the vision elements, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/citizen_guide.pdf.
Consistently recognized for its top management practices, the county was lauded last year with three management awards. The Performance Institute granted the county a Performance Management Award for linking its annual budget to the county’s mission and vision elements. Additionally, the International City/County Management Association awarded the county its highest distinction for performance measurement, the Certificate of Distinction. The Government Finance Officers Association honored the county for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting.
For more information about the communication
strategy, contact Merni Fitzgerald, director of the Office of Public
Affairs, at 703-324-3187, TTY 711.
Fairfax County is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all county programs, services and activities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. To request special accommodations, call 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935. Please allow five working days in advance of events in order to make the necessary arrangements
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