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<p dir="auto">Hi everyone —</p>
<p dir="auto">Sorry to clog up your inbox today!</p>
<p dir="auto">As you likely know, we're moving forward with a regional digital literacy survey through Clementine Gold Group. The data collection period runs early November through mid-January, and we need your help making sure we reach respondents across all eight counties. The goal of the survey is to provide a community-level descriptive overview of the state of digital skills in Western New York -- information that's not currently available from any other source.</p>
<h3>What we're asking from you</h3>
<p dir="auto">First, if your organization can distribute paper surveys and maintain a secure drop box for completed responses, let us know. Clementine Gold Group will provide the surveys, boxes, and instructions. Respondents get entered into a drawing for one of three $200 Walmart gift cards (with drawings on November 20, December 12, and January 16).</p>
<p dir="auto">Second, we need you to make strategic introductions. Think about organizations in your network that serve our priority populations - people with disabilities, low-income residents, rural residents, seniors, veterans, non-native English speakers, formerly incarcerated individuals, and racial/ethnic minorities. I've linked to a <a href="https://wnydec.link/survey-partners" style="color: #3983C4;">list of potential partners</a>, but you have the deep local knowledge about who has the relationships and reach we need to build a credible evidence base about digital skills in our communities. If you’re able to make the connection, please go ahead and copy me on the email.</p>
<p dir="auto">If you can <em><strong>connect Clementine Gold Group with two or three solid partners by November 14</strong></em> (sample template below), that gives us time to coordinate early in our data collection process. If you can name a potential partner but can’t broker the introduction, please add them to the list using <a href="https://wnydec.link/partner-form" style="color: #3983C4;">this form</a>.</p>
<h3>What’s Next</h3>
<p dir="auto">Mark Glasgow (<a href="mailto:mark@clementinegoldgroup.com" style="color: #3983C4;">mark@clementinegoldgroup.com</a>; copied here) and his colleagues at Clementine Gold Group will handle logistics with you and any partners you introduce. As noted above, I’ve included an email template below that you can adapt for those introductions.</p>
<p dir="auto">Please let Mark know (and copy me) if your organization can distribute surveys directly, and which partners you're planning to reach out to.</p>
<p dir="auto">Warm regards,</p>
<p dir="auto">Don</p>
<p dir="auto">————</p>
<p dir="auto">E-Introduction Template:</p>
<p dir="auto">Subject: Introduction: Partnering on WNY Digital Literacy Survey</p>
<p dir="auto">Hi [Partner Name],</p>
<p dir="auto">I'm pleased to connect you with Mark Glasgow from Clementine Gold Group (CGG). CGG is conducting a regional digital literacy survey on behalf of the <a href="https://wnydigitalequity.org" style="color: #3983C4;">Western New York Digital Equity Coalition</a>. I think your organization would be a strong partner in this effort, and we’d appreciate your help.</p>
<p dir="auto">The Coalition is surveying about 1,200 residents across Western New York’s eight counties to build the kind of community-level evidence about digital skills that we don't currently have. We're focusing particularly on populations most affected by digital exclusion: people with disabilities, low-income residents, rural residents, seniors, veterans, non-native English speakers, formerly incarcerated individuals, and racial/ethnic minorities.</p>
<p dir="auto">The results will strengthen our grant applications, give us more credibility when we advocate for resources, and help us design programs based on actual needs rather than assumptions. Given your work with [specific population(s)], you're well-positioned to help us reach people whose experiences should be part of this picture.</p>
<p dir="auto">The survey is mostly paper-based, voluntary, and completely anonymous. If you're interested, Clementine Gold Group will provide printed surveys, a secure drop box, and collection instructions. Respondents will be entered into a drawing for one of three $200 Walmart gift cards. Data collection runs early November through mid-January with gift card drawings on November 20, December 12, and January 16.</p>
<p dir="auto">I'm copying Mark (and Don Matteson, Facilitator for the WNY Digital Equity Coalition) here so you can connect directly. Mark, [Partner Name] works with [brief description] and has strong relationships in [relevant community/population] within [county name(s)] County(ies).</p>
<p dir="auto">Please let me know if you have questions.</p>
<p dir="auto">[Your name]</p>
<p dir="auto">--<br>
Don Matteson - Facilitator<br>
WNY Digital Equity Coalition<br>
<a href="mailto:dwmatteson@wnydigitalequity.org" style="color: #3983C4;">dwmatteson@wnydigitalequity.org</a><br>
wnydigitalequity.org<br>
@wnydigitaleqty</p>
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