Audience

We have the following audiences:

1. Animal Rights Activists
2. Animal lovers upset by killing
3. Average person who doesn't care about animals
4. People who believe "something must be done" and aren't aware of non-lethal alternatives
5. Hunters

Groups 1 and 2 don't need to be convinced, group 5 will never be convinced, so out true target audience are groups 3 and 4 who represent the average apathetic voter.

The audience can access the data in a hierarchy, several sentences on a Main Site page points to a several paragraph abstract on the public blog that has a "read more..." separator where multiple pages can be displayed.

We should keep content on the Main site within 2 screens per page so the average person doesn't get bored and just go along with the city.

At the bottom of every article people can comment, or they can view related articles by clicking a Label, or they can return to the main site.

Arguments that work on the first two audiences won't work on the next two audiences.

Labels Defined

Copy public list?  There needs to be some correlation with the Article Site Blog labels, but this site will have more Labels to categorize issues that are not for the public.

Clicking on the Label on the sidebar will subset the posts down to the specific category.

Working Issues

• Active - All issues being worked on, items needing discussion, strategy, but not really content destined for a public site (as ActiveArticle).
  Specifically excludes Labels - Ann, Help, Tech, and VerArchive
  Tag new posts with Active, when post content is complete, Active Label will be removed and VerArchive will be added
• ActiveArticle - All web content being worked on, as active, but items needing editing for publication.
• Ann - Announcement to working group
• Help - Help Info
• Tech - Technical Web details
  
• NewsBlog - News, Letters, Editorials, or Comments for the News Blog
• Hot - Hot / Time sensitive Issue
• Link - Info on URL Links to other sites
• Strategy - How we are going to handle an issue (vs the content)
• Web - General content for the web
• WebNow - High priority web content (from ActiveArticle)
• UnCat - Uncategorized, use if you are uncertain how to categorize, I'll periodically review these labels and find an appropriate Label.

Content Categories

• DVA - Deer Vehicle Accidents
• Garden - Issues related to deer damage to gardens or understory
• Hunting - specifically related to bow hunting
• Lethal - general all lethal issues
• News - News accounts
• Non-Lethal
• Research - Detailed research papers
• Video - Videos

Draft Version Status

• VerRough 
• VerFirst
• VerSecond
• VerFinal
• VerArchive - No longer requires action, Active/ActiveArticle Label removed
• VerUpdate - Designates that the post has been updated

Web Site Launch #2

Despite the Web site being launched to the media at the March 9th Safety meeting, six weeks later some people feel the site still isn't ready.

Since then, the home page and sidebar have been reworked, terminology has been simplified.

What will it take to make it ready?

Petition Drive

Rough Draft, add suggestions on comments...

Our petition drive has started, here's a few things all circulators should know.

1. Get your petition from Lane, with a number.  We're tracking all petitions being circulated by a unique petition number.
2. DO NOT fill in the number of signatures, even when all 43 are collected, this number will be filled in  by a petition consultant who will verify signatures.
3. DO NOT sign your own petition, sign another circulators petition,
4. When you complete a petition, be sure to complete the last page (except for the number of signatures), return it to Lane and get a new numbered petition. 
5. For your first time circulating a petition, pair up with an experienced circulator so you can learn from them.
6. When at a public place its better to ask for signatures on the way out, rather than on the way in.
7. Ask if they are a Solon resident AND a registered voter, this is important.
8. Then ask them if they'd sign a petition regarding putting deer culling on the ballot so the people can decide, don't debate the issue with them, this will take time and won't address the main point of getting their signature.
9. If they want more information you can direct to the website solondeer.com, but tell them signing the petition puts it on the ballot for the citizens to decide, signing isn't saying they are for ot against it just lets the people decide.
10. If someone tries to engage you in a debate, politely refuse to debate them and walk away from them.

If you have any more questions, contact Lane.

Organization

See Notes in Orange

-------- Original Message --------

0) Subject:	Re: Fw: Bow Hunting
Date:	Sat, 9 Apr 2011 08:13:44 -0700 (PDT)
From:	Lane
To:	Heinz , John

1) I would not put Stanek's reply on our website. We need to be prepared though if he should use that again so here is some stuff to get started with. 2) The crossbow comes from approximately 650 b. c. Improvements do not make this fact any less relevant Crossbows show NO difference in wounding rates.Studies, once published are still valuable to quote no matter how old they are, as long as you are quoting relevant information. If a study showed 54% wounding rate and some of those weapons are still being used, that study is still valid. In NJ, many of those same weapons are being used. Now crossbows are in use, but they don't discount any past study. Our Fish and Wildlife division are quoting studies from the 1960s in their reports. Doesn't mean those 1960 studies are fully valid, just means they got information from them to use in their reports. And they must be mentioned. 3) Brw, I would remove that article about the poaching incident in Mentor. The comment was that we need a longer hunting season. Not good. 4) The PPike gardening class might be added to the Sandy Baker stuff. It should be prefaced by the fact that PP Mayor Akers brought the Deer Dr back for an encore because she is so good.  John, my sincere apologies. There is an attachment with a letter from Akers singing her praises.   5) She is not your average 'how to protect your tulips'  expert. She is THE numero uno. --- On Sat, 4/9/11, John  wrote: From: John Subject: Re: Fw: Bow Hunting To: "Heinz Cc: "Lane Date: Saturday, April 9, 2011, 10:17 AM Heinz Knall wrote: 6) OK..................... well, that one might be best left off the web site.  "Hearts and Minds"   We can't win hearts and minds if we throw insults at the other team.  7) It's on the work blog which isn't indexed by Google search nor linked to by any public sites...  It's important info so I wanted to get it out of my enormous email queue to a place where just we can see it for reference or to decide what we want to do with it. Heinz Knall "With Dog, all things are possible, and usually occur when you are not at home."

---

-------- Original Message --------

8) Subject:	Fw: Solon--Deer
Date:	Sat, 19 Mar 2011 21:39:19 -0700 (PDT)
From:	Lane Ferrante
To:	John Nolan , Heinz Knall

9) First communication. She wrote to all separately . The attached is a testimonial from Pepper Pike mayor. --- On Wed, 2/16/11, Sandy Baker <wrote:To:pelunis@hotmail.com Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 10:19 PM 10) February 17, 2011   Dear Robert Pelunis:   As a community leader faced with the impact of deer damage in parks, yards, and gardens, and conflict among your constituents regarding an effective solution, you are not alone. Local municipalities must resolve deer-related challenges, and there seems to be no rewarding answer.   But there is.  My work as a consultant in communities throughout the Northeastern United States shows that understanding fosters solutions for passionate stakeholders.    Government leaders have retained me to conduct seminars, give consultations, and educate home gardeners, parks’ stewards, growers, landscapers, nurseries’ owners, and the general public about reducing and preventing deer damage. Interviews with the local media, which I am available for, impact public perceptions; government leadership is seen as being responsive and open to deer management alternatives that address the concerns of all.  I have been dubbed “The Deer Doctor” because I help communities solve their deer-related challenges.   “How to Deer Proof Your Garden” seminars teach people how to protect plantings through a customizable Five Step Plan that introduces understanding of deer behavior which leads to planting success.  Last fall the mayors of five cities in Ohio pooled their resources to present my plan to their communities.  The reasonable cost was quickly defrayed by the reduction in deer damage to plant materials, the positive feedback generated through media coverage, and the resultant goodwill generated among community interest groups.  The attached letter will give you an idea of the response to my program from elected officials. . I urge you to plan now for a more beautiful community in the spring.  Take the first step by visiting www.deerproofyourgarden.com, then contact me at 585.338.2247 or contact@deerproofyourgarden.com for more information about seminars, scheduling, and fees.   Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to further communication with you.     Sandy Baker 11) Attachment  Notes: 0) 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11)

Home Page

 I liked the following verbiage starting with the blue.  Correction.  I told her it was TOO WORDY!  We had a conversation about simple, simple, simple. 

This needs to be pared down!

We need to get that home page ready first and foremost. We need to have the word BALLOT INITIATIVE on our home page so people know what we're doing.  

First we need to explain the issue, then Ballot Initiative

I'm pasting what I wrote the other day and will pluck out some key points we should probably use IN BLUE or pared down but Mel and I both like EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO BE COUNTED. WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN WIN.

Also, John take a look at the SIGN page from Village deer (sent you the link) Easy and it stands alone so people may be inclined to contact us for a sign. Your thoughts?  DONE

Solon’s decision makers have abused their power long enough by squandering taxpayer's dollars, not fully researching, or outright ignoring long-term, science-proven, cost effective methods for solving the deer conflict and by putting it’s citizenry at risk by suggesting that hunters be allowed to use cross-bows in Solon and allowing sharpshooters with high-powered, lethal weapons to stalk our neighborhoods at all hours of the day and night.

 

 The five year deer management plan was a failure. The advocates for 21st century solutions have been right all along, but we can't win by just being right.  Just because we've never done this before doesn't mean we can't.  Exercise your right to be counted, become politically active and with your help we can win!

 

 Roll up your sleeves and try something different. Join with  fellow Solonites and supporters of a long-term, rational, cost effective solution and realize the phenomenal power we possess by being involved in the Democratic process. You can help by getting out and collecting signatures for the ballot intiative and by placing a sign on your lawn. Anyone can do this with a little guidance and direction. We will have short training sessions to prepare you for collecting signatures.. Help us unify the formidable force that is within each of us.

 

 Let's take this very important decision directly to the people so they can decide.  With your help we can restore civility to the city of Solon by bringing us into the 21st century in solving a very solvable problem while keeping us safe and making Solon a community to be proud of.

 

This can be on the home page or after they click "JOIN"  Wherever you can fit it. 
Will review...

Don't forget to take that TEST word off of the DeerDeter page. 

Can't find it

Let's start getting stuff moved to the public site. I'll start editing tonight but we don't need to get too hung up on it. As long as there aren't spelling or grammatical mistakes. 

Some of this is VERY long and hard for the typical apathetic voter to follow. 

 

Ok guys, start asking people if they can get out there Th. nite. Remember, we need volunteers. We only have until the end of June! 2200 signatures.

We'll have to give them a quick briefing before they begin. 

Petition page added, can post volunteer training time and signing events. OVERDUE!

Will add > to Sign Petition link next to Uncle Sam as soon we have those times. PAGE ADDED, WITHOUT TIMES.

Community Discord

Idea that just came to me. We need a 'Community Discord' link.
We can take that one powerful statement that Godzich said in a recent Patch article I think it was....In all his years on the force the worst thing he ever dealt with was the deer issue.

Then we list all the law suits, (I have all the articles) neighbors that no longer speak, school buses letting kids off in very close proximity to the snipers. The guy walking his dog and toddler who had no idea there was a sniper in the tree as his son pointed and said LOOK DADDY, A DEER!!!! Thankfully one of us ran up to the dad and told him to get his son out of there.

What about Solon being the butt of jokes, the black eye that came from 5 yrs of killing in our backyards. The media blitz.

Hunting Humor

While hunting is a serious issue, sometimes the absurdity of it all is humorous...

Shark video of hunter being interrupted by ultralight while taunted by animal rights activists.  Nothing disturbing...  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frv4iKaisFc

Lewis  Black's bit on Cheny's Hunting accident.  Language not suitable for children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6ene75RM3w

And this photo, no offence meant to women...

Click to photo to enlarge

Add your own as comments here...

Are there any suitable for public site?

Editorial cartoons from our local paper would probably work well with the news story behind them to show the idiotic paradox of govt activity.

Disturbing Video

How to handle disturbing videos?

Warn readers?

eg SHARK is listed as "mature material" which adds extra steps for age verification. This makes it harder for readers to view, probably too hard.  http://www.youtube.com/user/SHARKonlineorg

A warning in the caption...

April Safety Mtg

Speaker: Deer Park
He's expecting our support, but gives cause for being skeptical.

Deer Deter has asked but got no response

Kraus said experts must come to be heard.  This is a circular argument as they don't want to come where they obviously aren't wanted.

Could they present via the internet - ala Skype or GoToMeeting?

Solicitation Issues

What are we allowed to do and where can we do it?
We need good legal advice as we are likely to be challenged.

Can we sit at a table in the community center with a sign?
Will that be considered "solicitation"?
Are we allowed to approach people, or just sit passively until someone comes up to us?

Can we knock on doors with a "no solicitation" sticker (political exemption)?

Lawn sign rules?

• One sign per yard
• Not in right of way (tree lawn)
• 30 day rule on political signs doesn't apply to this "free speech statement sign".

Possible places:

• Community Center
• Pavilion at Community Park
• Earth Day
• Giant Eagle & Marcs

Lots of updates  needed per emails....

Flyer

What do we want in it?

Timing?  Compared to Ballot Initiative and Yard Signs?

Deliver City wide?  Or public places?

Yard Signs Method

Timing of order, and placing signs

Second big web launch exposing web site to large audience
xx

How many in initial order/increments

100

www.yardsignwholesale.com
This is the website for the signs. Last year Broaadview and Ottawa ordered 100 signs for $320 and they do overnight them and the wire stands are included in the price (but ordered separately).

Placement

15 ft setback from Right of Way (past sidewalk), height limit of 4 ft, size limit of 6 sq ft.

Help

Enlist Stan

Yard Sign Restrictions

Solon has restrictions on yard signs that need to be considered.

Yard Signs

Exactly what should they say...

No Hunting (by hunting we mean all forms of killing, see post)
in our
Neighborhood (in our city? in Solon?  that would make it one less line)

SolonDeer.com (no http://, no need for www. )


Have room for a (bumper) sticker saying NO on xxx where xxx is issue number assigned by Board of Elections (BOE).


Reuse sign by putting a (bumper) sticker over the web site with a new address?

Who are we?

Make it clear on all sites who we are and how we feel...

Taglines used at top of ALL sites, Main Site, Blog, Comments...

USDA WS

The following is from George in Mt Lenanon PA. He isn't saying anything I don't already know. I am still concerned that Solon will put bow hunting back on the table along with sharpshooters to defray from the cost. I've seen it happen in town after town. Scott Peters must be so frustrated poor thing that Solon has not fallen in line.

Also. there are 2 letters from USDA WS to Solon from previous yrs requesting they be the hired guns. There is a second one I saw in the records last Tues. They want in. Remember if they aren't killing animals they aren't being paid.

From George:

USDA Wildlife Services didn't just join the national suburban deer killing business, they've been one of the major contractors of it for years.  I believe they've been the main culling contractor in the Philly parks system, i.e. Fairmont Park, and I believe they're killing the deer in Valley Forge National Park.

Activists ToolBox

Thanks to Lucy for pointing me to this site, I found this interesting item there...

Activist Toolbox

Save time and get going: download all the materials you'll need to start defending imperiled wildlife in your community.

Downloadable Resources

Thanks for being such a dedicated Defender. Below, you'll find all the materials you'll need to take the next step for wildlife in your community. 

Click here.

---

PETA's Guide to Becoming an Activist

http://www.peta.org/action/activism-guide/default.aspx

IN THIS SECTION

• +Everyday Activism
• +Make a Difference in Five Minutes or Less!
• +Make a Difference in 15 Minutes!
• +Working With the Media
• +Public Speaking
• +Passing Animal Friendly Legislation

Contact

How should the public contact us?

They can email us at solondeer.com, this will be automatically forwarded to the SolonDeer Google Group.  Interesting comments will be posted to the SolonDeerNews Blog .  See the post Label NewsBlog for these topics.  


Need to determine if we want to show the google group publicly.

People can comment on the public blog.  We'll want them to comment on an appropriate post so we should have a post to catch related comments.

The google sites doesn't have much in the way of a commenting facility, we will have to point them to the public blog.  Added a contact page to main site to inform them of comment ability. REMOVED

Public group email.  If we can get people to join a google group they can communicate with each other and us via that platform.  People first have to get an ID registered to google (their own email), select the frequency (immediate, daily digest, or web only) and then they can post issues for discussions.  Popular discussions that we find useful may be copied to the public comment blog.  People can submit things to the Google Group without having a Google Acct by sending email to SolonDeer at gmail.com which has proxy authority and will post their comment.

Should we have a phone #?

Should we have an address?

Internal discussions

[REWRITE]This is separate from internal discussions of strategy or draft documents being developed.

For this we have a private facilities that we will want to secure to our working members so city hall and other advocates for killing aren't tipped off.  These are a  google group email and the working blog.  A working site could also be setup if it is helpful.

Press Release / Inquiry

How should these items be handled?  

Some sites require a press inquiry before using the site.

Affiliated Sites

Our Main Site Links page will list other affiliations, villagedeer, Broadview Hts, Hudson, Bedford Metro Parks, please comment here as you find these sites.

Safety Mtg

The USDA met with Stanek just before the Feb 9 mtg, do we have an OPR on that?

We're expecting USDA and ODNR at March 9th Safety Mtg.

It's been said that a "comprehensive" plan will be presented by May 1, this would mean it would be on April 13. If May 1 isn't firm then it could be on May 11.