Rock Creek Roundup (October 23 Edition)

Posted by: Meagen Ryan, Director of Strategy Oct 23, 2009 0 Comments

The USDA emphasizes keeping communication lines open, the EPA hosts a forum that’s Beyond Translation, FEMA launches a revamped Spanish-language website, and the White House announces GreenGov, all in this week’s version of the Rock Creek Roundup:

• “Take a serious look at what you can sustain on a day-to-day basis, because it is important to keep the lines of communications open and not just put up a blog post and walk away.” That’s great advice from Amanda Eamich, USDA’s Director of New Media, in a recent article in Federal Computer Week. Amanda puts that advice into practice with the USDA’s use of social media, particularly during recent campaigns such as the Rural Tour and Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food. By using existing USDA new media channels to communicate rather than standing up new accounts for these initiatives, Amanda helps ensure that the department can sustain engagement with their audience now and in the future.
• Next week the EPA will be hosting its second annual “National Beyond Translation Forum“ in Washington, DC. Aimed at Latino elected officials, community representatives, small businesses, and churches, the focus of the forum is “EPA and the Hispanic Community: Working Together to Protect our Health and the Environment—At Places Where We Live, Work, Learn, and Play.” This kind of outreach reminds us that Gov 2.0 isn’t just about technology (though the forum will also be via a live webcast). It’s also about ways that government agencies can be more inclusive of all audiences. Kudos to the EPA for constantly expanding its outreach horizons.
• In other Latino-focused news, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently launched a newly redesigned Spanish-language website. Among other elements, the revamped site now includes a Spanish language version of the FEMA National Emergency Family Registry and Locator system, which can be used during a time of natural disaster or national crisis to help locate missing family members. FEMA’s revamp follows the recent launch of a Spanish-language version of the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services website.
• Are you a federal employee or member of the military with a good green idea? Consider taking part in the GreenGov Challenge. Part of the Administration’s executive order on Federal Sustainability, the GreenGov Challenge is accepting clean energy ideas through October 31. Check out the GreenGov Challenge website to vote on others’ ideas and submit a few of your own. So far, more than 1,000 ideas have been submitted.

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Meagen Ryan

Director of Strategy

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