Continuing the massive grassroots effort that took place during the campaign leading up to the PTP half-penny referendum in November 2002, speakers have maintained an aggressive outreach schedule, visiting all segments of Miami-Dade County's diverse community and conducting presentations and distributing informative brochures in English, Spanish and Creole.

Presentations are tailored to specific audiences and highlight projects of local concern. Groups that have been visited include the Kendall Federation of Homeowners, the Goulds Coalition of Ministries, the Homestead-Florida City Chamber of Commerce and many more.

"The presentations have been very well received. The speakers have a lot to impart and really come armed to answer questions," said Mary Finlan, executive director of the Homestead-Florida City Chamber of Commerce. "Transportation can be a very volatile subject and they do very well."

Public input also provides the County with a vital tool for fine-tuning service or addressing needs identified by residents.

"A lot of the people who come to meetings are transit riders and are very familiar with the system, so there's no one better to make suggestions," said Robert Pearsall, MDT's chief of service planning. "Public meetings are a very important part of planning. Sometimes changes are made immediately and sometimes in a matter of weeks, depending on the extent."

The Speakers Bureau also helps organize periodic "town hall" meetings in individual county commission districts and arranges brief presentations at town council and city commission meetings throughout the County.

To schedule a presentation to your group, call 305-884-7555.