OCTA

in the Community
Diversity Outreach for Capital Projects

An overview of OCTAs communication efforts with Orange County:

Civic organizations Social groups Faith-based communities Businesses

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Outreach Program Summary

Making the Connection
For nearly two years, OCTA has been actively working through its outreach program to build relationships with diverse communities to break down bureaucratic communication barriers. With presentations, community meetings, outreach events and conferences, OCTA representatives have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the members of the public whose support is key to delivering on the agencys promise of capital projects. Through its continued outreach efforts, OCTA is fostering relationships with numerous civic, social and business communities to serve an increasingly diverse population in Orange County that continues to grow and evolve.

A Changing Community

In Orange County,

58%
Belong to a minority group

44%
Speak a language other than English at home

Building Business
Small business enterprises are one of the fastest growing industry segments.

66% of all jobs Small businesses employ 33% of Americas population

Small business enterprises create

In California,
Latinos will surpass whites as the largest ethnic group

28%

are owned by women

19%

are owned by Asians

12%

are owned by Hispanics

by 2014.

Source: 2010 U.S. Census Bureau and L.A. Times

Diverse Communities Study and Outreach Program

OCTA Business Relations Administrator Bekele Demissie worked with consultants to develop a program that would enhance outreach efforts with the diverse communities in Orange County.

The O.C. population is changing, with minority groups increasingly becoming the majority.

Strategic Actions

Results

I.

OCTA outlined the preferred communication strategies and frequency of communication for different community organizations.

II.

III.

OCTA developed close working relationships with numerous groups including American Indian, Asian American and womens groups, Rotary clubs and faith- based organizations. OCTA reached out to more than 200 Staff prepared and designed a new website for the organizations and focused on 21 organizations to gain community to navigate for information on ongoing deeper insights for the outreach plan. and u pcoming capital projects. The Asian Business Association of Orange County also In this quarter alone, OCTA connected with the community at 12 outreach events and 11 meetings recognized OCTA with its Corporate Excellence Award for OCTAs contribution to the Asian American business with community leaders, in which a total of 1,355 people participated. Staff also met with consultants community. M ore than 300 business professionals attended the December awards gala. in six diversity study meetings. OCTA participated in the Asian Business Association of Orange Countys annual business expo with more than 500 leaders in the Asian American community. OCTA led workshops and was featured as the keynote speaker at the event. OCTA is truly vital to our diverse communities. Not just a bus or transit company, but a real life, vibrant force for transportation awareness, community education, job force opportunities and m ost importantly, transparent and open community meetings.
President of the Black Chamber of Orange County Bobby McDonald

IV.

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>Business Outreach Program

As a recipient of funds from local, state and federal agencies, OCTA assists small minority business communities, in compliance with Title VI of the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration. OCTA also increases the agencys visibility within the community by interacting with these business professionals at workshops, conferences and events strategically organized through the outreach program. Social and community outreach opportunities with civic services and service providers also better help OCTA reach out to businesses. As beneficiaries of transportation services, these groups allow OCTA to more easily disseminate information about transportation plans, programs, improvements and projects to their members and stakeholders. Through the business outreach program, OCTA builds on the success that the agency has achieved with small and minority-owned businesses.

Business Outreach Progress

$21 million
Awarded to 635 small businesses

Trained to do business with OCTA

18,860 13,542 5,000 124 46 25

Vendors contacted Total event participants

Fact sheets produced

2012 OCTA Annual Business Conference

OCTA hosted a conference for small businesses in August 2012 that drew approximately 250 small business owners, 120 vendors and 50 public agency representatives to connect with fellow professionals and hear advice from speakers in the field.

Company representatives

Business events attended Outreach events hosted

With more than 40 exhibits from public agencies and OCTA has been instrumental in the private companies, success of ABAOC by providing information about opportunities for our networking opportunities and perspectives from members and corporate membership with ABAOC yearly. OCTA offer contracting professionals, the guidance, resources and assist us to conference offered conduct strategic meetings and plan numerous resources to for our signature events. OCTA is support, promote and strengthen business a wonderful partner to relations with public ABAOC and agencies.
we are proud to have them as corporate members.

Funds from sponsors covered the cost of the sold-out conference, and survey results reported that 97% of President of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County the participants would attend the following year. Gloria Rull

Diversity Outreach Impact

As Orange Countys population continues to grow and diversify, OCTA outreach efforts provide the agency an opportunity to better understand and respond to the publics changing needs. By building relationships with community organizations and businesses that serve specific groups and minorities, OCTA establishes a strong connection with leaders in the fastest growing demographics in the county, who likewise make up a large portion of transit users. Continued community outreach will allow OCTA to align with the agencys goals of supporting programs and projects. This also is reflected in the 2013 Chairmans goal of increased community outreach. Business outreach allows OCTA to orchestrate its successful annual business conference with sponsor funds. This saves OCTA approximately $100,000 a year. This effort also helps OCTA engage with more than 350 business participants and corporate sponsors, further cultivating efficient business partnerships. Finally, OCTAs diversity outreach efforts create a readily available network with key communities and gain the support of leaders and stakeholders by being proactive, responsive and inclusive in breaking down communication barriers. 7

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Engaging Partners
Partial List of 200 Community Groups
Muckenthaler Cultural Center National Hispanic Business Women Association National Latina Business Women Association National Society of Hispanic MBAs National Cultural Center Native Americans Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, O.C. Islamic Institute of Orange County (Muslim) 100 Black Men of Orange County American Career College American Indian National Chamber of Commerce Anaheim United Methodist Church Association For Dao Enlightenment Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County Brea Baptist Church California Coast University California Graduate California Small Business Development Center California State University, Fullerton Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa MultiEthnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA) National Association of Black MBAs OC Saint Matthew Ecumenical Santa Ana College Small Business Development Center, Orange South O.C. Community College District Temple Beth ShalomJewish Women Business Enterprise National Council, West (OC Rep) University of California, Irvine Phoenix University Saddleback College Rancho Santiago Community College District National Association of Women Business Owners Orange Community College Iglesia Nueva Vision Inc.

Mercy House Centennial Education Center Navy League of the United States (Veterans) Hands Together Literacy Program Rotary Club, Mission Viejo OC Literacy Network Rotary Club, Orange Read OC Team Wiseplace Community Action Partnership Women Helping Women Men To Work Abrazar, Inc. YWCA Central Orange County Battered Women's Self H elpline Children & Families Commission of O.C. Advance Beauty College First Presbyterian Church of Garden Grove Asian American Women Business Association Asian Business Association Orange County Good Will, Orange County Cambodian Family Services United Methodist Church China US Business Association OC Children's T herapeutic Arts Chinese Chamber of Commerce Orangewood Childrens Foundation Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of OC Rotary Club, Costa Mesa Greater Asia Business Federation Rotary Club, Garden Grove Korean American Chamber of Commerce of USA Boys and Girls Club, Garden Grove Korean Chamber of Commerce, Orange County Habitat of Orange County Organization of Chinese American Girls Inc. of Orange County California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce

Government and Public Agencies

LA Metro Transportation Authority Metropolitan Water District

Southern California Edison Gas Company Port of Long Beach

Diversity Outreach Stats

22,744
Total Participants

Small and Minority Businesses

Asian American Business Association of Orange County Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County

75
Small Business Administration
Business Conferences

47
Community Events
We appreciate OCTA's steadfast support of the Orange County business community. OCTA keeps the entire community informed about important transportation and infrastructure issues here in Orange County.

Faith-Based Communities
Temple Beth Sholom St. Andrews Episcopal Church

Crystal Cathedral Ministries Islamic Institute of Orange County

Civic Organizations

Reuben Franco

Orange County Rotary Clubs

Asian Pacific American Legal Center

Goodwill of Orange County

President and CEO of the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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Moving Forward: Discussion Guide

OCTA envisions an Orange County where civic organizations, social groups, faith-based communities and businesses are connected and engaged with OCTA in shaping the future of transportation.

How
How can OCTA work with your community to shape the future of transportation? Please list the most important elements. __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

Challenges or Obstacles

Opportunities and Resources

What are the challenges or obstacles that What are the opportunities and your community may face in partnering resources available to better foster a with OCTA? relationship with your community? Please list the most important elements. __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ Please list the most important elements. __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________