This page is written from the perspective of one organization. It needs to be made more general, and more easily understandable to readers.

Communication is a key component of the Village Earth project. It is the linking system both within the project and between the project and the broader world. Communication not only maintains supportive relationships, but also generates momentum through interchange of experience and vision. Six major communication vehicles build the essential relationships of the project. Three represent the global relationships, and three represent the local relationships.

Types of communications

Communications methods and media

1. Media options and selection?
2. Audience expectations?
3. SMRC model: sender (receiver) > < message > < channel > < receiver (sender)
4. Communication skills?
5. Communication noise
6. Gate keepers?
7. Diffusion/Adoption process
8. Cone of experience
9. Communication need (hierarchy of needs)
10. Social action process
11. Oral communication, written communication, telecommunication, others?
12. News writing: clear writing, economy and simplicity, news article, layout/design
13. Direct mail, mailing list
14. Radio: types, radio spot, script tape
15. Poster and flip chart: design, production, use [Okey's poster]
16. Audio-visual: treatment, material, commentary [visual aids]
17. Television (TV): technology, writing, visuals, production [TV rundown sheet]
18. Photography and camera [tips for better camera techniques]
19. Computer use: word processing, e-mail/internet, multi-media
20. New technology
21. Communication strategy

Setting the objectives

1. Are they stated plainly?
2. Are they related and integrated?
3. Are they stated in terms of expected outcomes?
4. Are primary goals and secondary goals stated and plainly marked as such?
5. Are your goals realistic enough to be achieved? On the other hand, are they challenging enough to mobilize your best efforts to achieve them?
6. How will you measure success? Are the evaluation criteria closely linked to objectives?

Communication strategy checklist

1. Identify a PROBLEM, describe a situation, perhaps in your major field of study, which can be added or corrected by the application of a combination of communication methods and media.
2. Describe the RESPONSE(S) desired. These may be stated as the Desired Outcomes or Primary and Secondary Objectives. (Consider tips on 'Setting Objectives' given above.)
3. Describe the AUDIENCE(S) that need to be reached.
4. What MESSAGE(S) will achieve the desired Response(s)?
5. You will draw your Message(s) from what MESSAGE SOURCES?
6. What types of ENTROPY, or message uncertainty, may be problems?
7. What SENSORY CHANNELS of the audience will you employ?
8. What COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA will you employ?
9. What types of NOISE, or environmental interference, may be problems?
10. As message ENCODER, what of yourself will be helpful in making the Communications Process work?
11. What is the SEQUENCE AND SCHEDULE for implementing your communications plan?
12. What will the different elements of your campaign COST?
13. How will you MEASURE SUCCESS, how will you know whether or not you achieved the Responses desired?