Communication with Community

COMMUNICAT

ION W

ITH

COMMUNITY

BY

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DR

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FL O

OD

OUTLINE

• Definition

• The Importance of Communication

• Communication Planning

• Methods of Communication•Newsletters•Bulletin Boards•Websites/Blogs•Social Media

• Email Etiquette

DEFINITION

Communication:• the imparting or exchanging of

information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium - The Oxford English Dictionary

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION

Not ‘just’ talk…

• Share ideas

• Expand knowledge

• Collaborate on projects

• Inform people of events

• Mobilize people into action

•Address questions and

concerns

•Conflict resolution

•Connects people

•Passing down traditions

COMMUNICATION ACTION PLANNING

• Who is our target audience?• Identify the target audience.

• Why do we want to communicate with them?• Provide a rationale as to why this group is important to communicate with.

• What are the messages we want to send them?• Identify the key message or messages to be sent.

• How are we going to communicate with them?•Which communications methods will be used?

COMMUNICATION ACTION PLANNING CONT.• When will we communicate with them?• Identify how often you will communicate with priority targets.

• Who is responsible?• Identify lead and others who will be responsible for implementing the action plan

• How will we know if it is done?• Identify a means of measuring whether the activity has been done and what the impact has been.

METHODS O

F

COMMUNICAT

ION

• Newsletters• Bulletin

Boards• Websites/

Blogs• Social Media

METHODS O

F

COMMUNICAT

ION

• Newsletters• Bulletin

Boards• Websites/

Blogs• Social Media

NEWSLETTERS

• Important when local newspaper is absent

• Feature local businesses

• Created by volunteers• Free for community• Important community information

• Flexible schedule:•Weekly•Monthly• Yearly

BULLETIN BOARDS

Do not under estimate the usefulness of a bulletin board.

• Inexpensive

• Seen by many people when placed in high traffic areas.• Schools•Churches•Community Centres

• Great for posting events and information

METHODS O

F

COMMUNICAT

ION

• Newsletters• Bulletin

Boards• Websites/

Blogs• Social Media

WEBSITES & BLOGS

Advantages

• Gives users instant access to new updates and information.

• Can also be updated remotely and easily.• Updates can be scheduled

• Almost no limit to volume of information posted.

• Easily searchable for older posts/information. Ex: tags

• Receive user feedback

WEBSITES & BLOGS

Disadvantages

• Not everyone has access to internet or is proficient with it.

• Potential higher costs

• May require some technical knowledge to set up and update

• Blog easier to set up and maintain however are limited in creative design.

BLOG EXAMPLES

• http://mayorsblog.guelph.ca/• Mayor of Guelph

• http://annapolisroyal.com/blog/• Annapolis Royal

• http://opstinaub.wordpress.com/ • Municipality of Ub, Serbia

• http://mainitsurigao.wordpress.com/• Municipality of Mainit, Philippines

• http://annapolisroyal.com/blog/• Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

METHODS O

F

COMMUNICAT

ION

• Newsletters• Bulletin

Boards• Websites/

Blogs• Social Media

WEB 1.0 VS WEB 2.0

SOCIAL MEDIA

Exercise:

• Name as many social media examples as you can think of.

EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL MEDIA

DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF

SOCIAL MEDIA

• Using automated tools to gather information so that it is manageable.

• Showcase success stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.

• Help in organizing events, meetings and rallies.

• Collaboration on Documents, Ideas, Events for the Organization

• Make new connections

EMAIL ETIQUETTE

• Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation.• No acronyms or short forms.

• Answer swiftly.• At most 24 hours.

• Do not write in CAPITALS.

• Read the email before you send it.

• Use a meaningful subject.

• Be concise

• Do not use sarcasm

SOURCES

http://www.buzzmaven.com/klc

http://www.desmogblog.com/

http://cdn.sizlopedia.com

http://www.socialtrakr.com

http://www.mta.ca/rstp/commgiveback-benito.pdf

http://www.emailreplies.com/

http://jonmell.co.uk

QUESTIONS

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