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Coordinated Stakeholder Outreach Stakeholder engagement and outreach should be coordinated throughout the process of developing broad- band and digital equity plans. Conducting outreach as a cohesive effort for the two programs will reduce the burden and confusion on community stakeholders. Some initial outreach tasks may include: →Assembling a comprehensive lists of stakeholders, identify overlaps, and coordinate or com bine outreach to those stakeholders →Planning and hosting combined meetings and events WRITING BROADBAND ACTION AND DIGITAL EQUITY PLANS 15 Building and Strengthening Your BAT Broadband Action Teams (BATs) are community-driven collaborations that meet regularly to develop local ca- pacity to identify and address opportunities, challenges, opportunities, goals, strategies, and plans to address the broadband and digital equity needs for their communities. In the context of this workbook, the term BAT in- dicates the team working on broadband in your community, including tribal communities. It does not necessarily refer to a formal BAT organization. An active BAT can assist in the identification of broad- band gaps then work with providers and funders to target investments to the locations with the greatest need and highest demand. The local knowledge and engagement of BAT members can help reduce telecommunications overbuilds. Establishing or strengthening a BAT is an im- portant step is supporting planning and coordination at the local and state level. It’s easy to see why BATs play an important role in iden- tifying the broadband and digital equity needs of Wash- ington’s communities, and how important they will be in developing the plans for the state’s BEAD strategy. A BAT can help a community: →Centralize the broadband conversation, →Assist local and statewide digital equity and inclusion efforts, →Represent community technology and accessibility needs, →Connect participants to collaborative project goals, and →Bring early awareness of community projects to funding opportunities. We have included worksheets in this workbook that can help you along the path, whether you are a seasoned Broadband Action Team, or you are just launching to facilitate the efforts of these programs. For Tribal plans, Worksheets 1-4 may not be relevant. Please complete any parts that you feel may be applicable. Worksheet #1: Pre-BAT Effort Inventory If your community doesn’t have an active BAT, Worksheet #1: Pre-BAT Effort Inventory may help you launch.