J.B. Speed School of Engineering University of Louisville

Kentucky Energy Efficiency Program for Schools

KEEPS EnergyManagement Toolkit

Step 1

Make the Commitment

Toolkit 1C

Develop a Communications Plan

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KEEPSEnergyManagementToolkit

Toolkit 1CDevelop a Communications Plan

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7-Step Energy Management Process

1. Make the Commitment

2. Assess Performance and Opportunities

3. Set Performance Goals

4. Create an Action Plan

5. Implement the Action Plan

6. Evaluate Progress

7. Recognize Achievements

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Communications Plan Overview

Importance

Components

Get the Message Out

KPPC Kentucky’s Resource Center for Environmental Sustainability

Why develop aCommunications Plan?

• Raise awareness• Gain interest• Explain how the program works• Point out the benefits

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Communications Plan Components

Communications

Plan

Stakeholder

Message

Activities

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Who are our district’s stakeholders?

Message

Activities

Stakeholder

Communications

Plan

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Stakeholders

Everyone in our district is an energy consumer.

• Internal Stakeholders• External Stakeholders

BUILDINGS DON’T USE ENERGY; PEOPLE DO.

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Stakeholders

Students Staff PTA

Teachers Community

Utility Co.

Principals

Parents School Board

Vendors Businesses

Government

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Worksheet:STAKEHOLDERS

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What is our message?

Message

ActivitiesStakeholder

Communications

Plan

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Message: What and Why?

What does having an Energy Management Program mean to our district?

What does our district want to achieve by developing an Energy Management Program?

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Brainwriting:MESSAGE

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Message: Example

Elements• Simple• Brief• Direct

Address specific stakeholders

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Back up the Message

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How do we communicate our message?

MessageActivities

Stakeholder

Communications

Plan

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Brainwriting:ACTIVITIES

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Ideas for Communications Activities

• Send memo out to all district faculty and staff• Gather information from faculty and staff about energy

awareness• Encourage schools to create school-level Energy

Teams• Give daily/weekly announcements and energy tips• Publish article in district or school newsletter• Post article or notice on district website• Hold district-wide contest to create energy mascot• Develop tag line or slogan for energy program

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Creative Communications

Kenton County Public Schools

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Bullitt County Public Schools

Touchstone Energy

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Worksheet:ACTIVITIES

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Activity Considerations

• Timeline• Creating• Arranging• Executing

• Energy Team member(s) responsible• Materials needed for activity• Location availability• Tools and resources available

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Worksheet:TIMELINE/

TEAM MEMBER(S)

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Communications Plan Summary

• Communication is about raising awareness

• Keep our stakeholders informed about our program’s initiatives and successes

• Utilize best/available resources within our Energy Team and within the district

• Be creative

J.B. Speed School of Engineering University of Louisville

(502) 852-0965

www.kppc.org/KEEPS

Kentucky Energy Efficiency Program for Schools

KEEPS is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the combined efforts of the Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence, the U.S. Department of Energy and KPPC.