Millersville University Public Relations ResearchMay 4th, 2016

The Mission:“The Mayor's Commission to Combat Poverty will engage the community to increase the local understanding of poverty and undergo a problem solving process to make Lancaster City a better place for all.”

Meet The Team:

Cayla PavlovecResearch Director

Sarah TylerAsst. Research

Director

Angelica LopezLiterature Reviewer

Allison MartinHuman

Subjects Reviewer

Vassana MeeInstrument Designer

Research Questions: 1. - What is the best way to communicate the conditions of poverty in Lancaster with local associations?

2. - What is the local associations level of awareness of the Mayor’s Commission to Combat Poverty?

3. - How knowledgeable are associations in regard to poverty in Lancaster City?

4. - What is the relationship between knowledge and involvement with efforts to combat poverty in Lancaster City?

Background: Theories:➔ The current poverty rate in

Lancaster City is 29%.

➔ In the southern end of Lancaster City (South of King St.) it is about 40%.

➔ The Mayor’s Commission to Combat Poverty is looking to gage citizens and local associations on their awareness of poverty and willingness to help them.

➔ Agenda Setting Theory◆ Symptoms

◆ Who is to blame?

◆ Local perceptions

➔ Media Framing Theory◆ Irresponsibility

◆ Unfortunate

◆ Causal or Treatment Responsibilities

Background cont’dKey Concepts: Communication Awareness Knowledge Involvement1st Study- Langille-Hoppe, 2010

a series of focus group interviews that were conducted with the hopes of understanding and bridging the gap between the needs of poor communities with local organizational resources

2nd Study- Theodore, 1972the local Community Action Agency (CAA) wanted to gain an understanding of the awareness levels of people in the community

Method and Instrument:➔ Online Questionnaire (Google Forms)

◆ Emailed directly to Lancaster City associations

● Population: 156 associations (For-Profit and Non-Profit)

● Response Time: Less than 5 minutes

● Recorded Responses: 24

● Response Rate: 15.3%

➔ Concepts ● Communication

● Awareness

● Knowledge

● Involvement

Method and Instrument cont’d:Sent Google Form Survey to 156 local associations [for profit & non-

profit]

24 responses at a 15.3% response rate.

22 questions

Provided incentive with raffle chance to win donuts for their office

Waited one week before sending follow up emails

Plan B was not executed.

Results: Demographics of the SampleWhat category does your association fall under?

Results: CommunicationHow does your association receive local news or updates regarding the city?

Results: AwarenessHow aware is your association of the Mayor’s Commission to Combat Poverty?

Results: KnowledgeWhat do you believe is the current percentage of impoverished citizens in Lancaster City?

Results: InvolvementIs your association currently involved with any efforts to combat poverty?

Limitations:➔ Spam Filters➔ Individual knowledge➔ Distribution to generic email addresses

Areas for Future Research and Recommendations:➔ Receiving updates & how associations receive

updates➔ Interest in learning & willingness to help the

commission➔ Familiarity with commission & how associations

receive updates

Thank You Everyone for Your Time!

It has been a pleasure to provide research for the Mayor's Commission to Combat

Poverty.