The Town of Carrboro earned top national awards in the Savvy Awards competition of the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) this September. The Town of Carrboro won three awards in categories of Resident Participation, Most Creative Activity with Least Dollars Spent, and Campaign Outreach to Diverse Audiences.
“It is a great honor for the Town of Carrboro to be recognized nationally among our peers,” Town Manager Patrice Toney said. “Congratulations to our Communication & Engagement Department for their impressive wins at the 3MCA Savvy Awards! It is wonderful to see their efforts recognized nationally!”
The projects were created and implemented by the Town of Carrboro Communication & Engagement Department, organized as a two-person staff team with Director Catherine Lazorko and Specialist Eve Greene. Town departments and community partners have been active participants in all the programs recognized.
The Town of Carrboro won awards for the following:
- Resident Participation – (Savvy – first place award) for Which Way for the Greenway? Following a four-month engagement process, the Carrboro Town Council voted in October 2023 to move forward with a selected alignment and approved the Bolin Creek Greenway trail route near the creek. With a goal of equitable engagement, this outreach effort placed emphasis on reaching those who are most often marginalized in these conversations. Town communication and engagement staff worked with El Centro Hispano and the Refugee Community Partnership to conduct canvassing to increase survey participation among immigrants and refugees. Learn more about the engagement process at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2762/Bolin-Creek-Greenway ;
The judges’ comments for the entry stated: “This project truly stands out with its outstanding effort to reach less engaged residents and ensure inclusive feedback. The “By the Numbers” section on survey data was not only informative but also provided valuable insights for future reflections. The interactive tour map, complete with engaging pictures, added a wonderful and immersive touch. The detailed descriptive letter and comprehensive documentation painted a vivid and visually appealing picture of the project’s scope. Overall, this project exemplifies excellence in community engagement and sets a high standard for others to follow. Fantastic work!”
- Most Creative Activity with Least Dollars Spent (Award of Excellence – third place award) for Braxton Foushee Day. Carrboro saw an opportunity to celebrate the Inaugural Braxton Dunkin Foushee Day with third graders who planned a field trip to Town Hall. A variety of experiences - from engaging in a mock Council meeting to snacking on birthday cupcakes and meeting a distinguished local resident - made this an unforgettable day.
- Campaign Outreach to Diverse Audiences (Award of Excellence – third place award) for Carrboro In Motion. The Carrboro In Motion/Communidad en Movimiento community block party is held at apartment complexes for local government to make connections with renters. The event series advances goals of creating an inclusive and equitable community by creating new avenues for public participation and by expanding successful working relationships with community partners. Learn more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2735/Carrboro-In-Motion
- Diamond Award Nominee – The Town of Carrboro was also nominated for a Diamond Award for its Bolin Creek Greenway community engagement campaign. The 3CMA Diamond Award is the "highest and most prestigious recognition possible – truly the best of the best."
The Savvy Awards recognize outstanding local government achievements in communications, public-sector marketing, and resident-government relationships. Awards were announced at the 3CMA Conference held in Arlington, Texas Sept. 4-6, 2024. In photo (left to right) Scott Lehtonen (3CMA Executive Director), Eve Greene and Catherine Lazorko (Carrboro Communication & Engagement), and Jennifer Bennerotte (3CMA Immediate Past President).
More than 1,100 entries in 38 categories were received. 3CMA utilized professional communicators from across the United States as judges. Presented by 3CMA were 94 first-place Savvy Awards, 94 second-place Silver Circle Awards, and 93 third-place Awards of Excellence.
3CMA is a national organization dedicated to helping local governments across the U.S. improve their communication and marketing efforts. The list of all award winners is available at https://www.3cma.org/59/Savvy-Awards ;