What is the BIRD?

The BIRD is the Bloomington Information Resource Directory, an online source for up-to-date information about the Bloomington, Minnesota community. BIRD is a project of the Marketing Bloomington Team.

How does the BIRD provide information?

The BIRD is a one-stop directory of links to the websites of non-profit organizations, community groups and businesses in greater Bloomington, Minnesota. The directory provides a 50-word description of each member's mission, service or product.

What kinds of information can I find on the BIRD?

Arts & Culture	Maps
Attractions & Entertainment	Parks & Recreation
Business & Professional Services	Religion & Spirituality
Children's Activities & Services	Safety, Fire & Police
Clubs & Organizations	Senior Living
Eating Out	Shopping & Retail
Education & Schools	Social Services
Government	Sports & Fitness
Health & Medical	Transportation
Hotels & Lodging	Visitor Information
Housing & Real Estate	Volunteer Opportunities

What is the BIRD's purpose?

The BIRD's purpose is to provide a one-stop directory of links to the websites of non-profit organizations, community groups and businesses in greater Bloomington.

Who is responsible for the BIRD?

The Marketing Bloomington Team, with representatives of 20 key Bloomington organizations and businesses, established and operates the BIRD as a low-cost community service.

Who are some of the Marketing Bloomington Team members:

Members of the Marketing Bloomington Team include representatives of Bloomington Public Schools, City of Bloomington departments, public libraries, Chamber of Commerce. Convention and Visitors Bureau, youth athletics, Realtors and businesses.

Why did the Marketing Bloomington Team establish the BIRD?

Members of the Marketing Bloomington Team saw a need for easy-to-use, one-stop access to information about the wide range of services and businesses available in Bloomington. Until now there was no easy way for residents, customers and the world at large to easily and quickly access all Bloomington information.

The Marketing Bloomington Team has two purposes:

Is every information provider who becomes a member of BIRD responsible for promoting BIRD?

BIRD was envisioned and created to serve the community by serving its members. We hope and believe that the Bloomington Information Resource Directory's value to the greater Bloomington community of will spread the message: "You Can Find It on The BIRD!"

How can I be sure my organization will benefit from joining the BIRD?

The Bird is designed to expose its member organizations to local and global markets. Members are required to keep their websites accurate, up-to-date and free of illegal or objectionable material.

How will we promote BIRD?

The BIRD's volunteer marketing team is developing a multi-media public relations and marketing campaign to promote the BIRD as the place for greater Bloomington to be found by local, regional, national and global visitors to Bloomington. Watch for more information. BIRD encourages but does not require members' web sites to provide links to BIRD.

HOW ARE BIRD'S GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE STRUCTURED?

How is the MBT governed?

Marketing Bloomington is governed by a Board of Directors with representation from community, businesses, schools, municipal government and other founding members.

How will MBT guarantee a high-quality service that will enhance the image of my organization through the BIRD?

First, the BIRD commits to members and site visitors to provide a service that is accurate, timely and functions smoothly with most browsers. It is to the member's benefit and to BIRD's credibility as an information resource that every member maintains an accurate and timely representation of its services and products.

Second, by signing the Information Provider Agreement all members commit to keep their websites accurate, up-to-date and free of illegal or objectionable material.

Third, Marketing Bloomington Team commits to frequent review and enforcement of its requirements of timeliness, accuracy and community standards of members' posted information.

Fourth, in extreme cases, the Editorial Team of the BIRD Board of Directors has the responsibility and authorization to remove any member-organization, business or service-whose actions as BIRD Information Providers violate the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Agreement.