Effective engagement online and offline – Keynote for NZ ALGIM (LG info managers) Web and Digital Symposium
On 18 May 2015 our director, Amelia Loye, presented a keynote session at the Association of Local Government Information Management’s Web and Digital Symposium in Christchurch, New Zealand. The key points discussed during Amelia’s presentation are as follows and her direct presentation is also available for download. Please note, the slides aren’t fully explained (especially the first one about Tina Fey’s eye roll!) so please do get in touch if you have any further questions about this or the below:
Designing for democracy is about:
- Getting involved in (y)our community
- Playing the long game
- Encouraging active citizenship
That engagement should encourage active citizenship not Takeholders. Takeholders act in self-interest. Active citizens consider info. and other views. And that using methods that encourage participants to read content then participate, and others views before they provide comment you are more likely to engage active citizenship online.
Innovation is doing what you do better, not just using a new shiny toy. Think about your purpose before developing or buying a new product to engage. While we want engagement to be interesting and entertaining we also need to consider what we are a) asking; and b) going to do with input when we receive it. Think about your user experience too. And your stakeholders journey beyond the digital interface. This is one of the things we mean when we suggest Playing the long game.
Democracy starts with people listening to people. Be prepared to listen and respond. Get your ducks lined up.
The greatest public service you can do is help Gov listen. We believe public servants implementing systems to collect, manage and report information from the community are the real super heroes of our generation. Underated Superheros… and that’s who we want to work with.
Ask Amelia why she got involved in community engagement, how she’s learn’t to describe what she does at the local pub and why Tina Fey features in her presentation!
Find out more about ALGIM Web and Digital Symposium
