View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
ParishCouncil.net Site Admin
Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 54 Location: Surrey
|
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 9:43 am Post subject: How to communicate effectively with your local community? |
|
|
This is a tough one. The Quality Parish & Town Council Scheme has their criteria for effective communication, but surely it depends very much on the local community, and how they want you to communicate with them.
There is no point putting all your information on news boards if no-one can get to read them, same as there is no point putting all your information on a website if no-one in the area uses a computer!
What have you found useful, and what can you recommend to other Parish Councils?
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
angie456 3 Star User
Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 18
|
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
I think that the way forward is to use computers. We still have to put information on our notice board and send out newsletters but we also have a newsletter we can send to people using emails. The good thing about it is that we do not have to pay the printers for each newsletter we send to people using emails, because it does not cost any money to send them. We are evening sending newsletters by email to people who have left the village and are now living abroad, but just want to be kept informed about what is still going on. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Menwipcc 2 Star User
Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 13
|
Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 1:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I agree with the cost-saving point about new email newsletters not costing anything to send out, but that does not help the fact that most people in the Parish cannot actually receive newsletters by email, whether it is because they do not know how, or because they simply cannot. Some people cannot afford computers, some cannot use computers, and some simply like to use noticeboards or printed material. I know it is a crude example, but you cannot read the computer screen when on the toilet, can you?!!! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tom 3 Star User
Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 15
|
Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
How nicely put! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
cath_p 5 Star User
Joined: 18 Sep 2006 Posts: 120 Location: betwixt and between
|
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
ok i dont know who said this but when you think people are sick of hearing it they are just getting the message.
i dont know what the answer is but give residents ownership of parish council projects almost, if they think its theirs then they will contribute
hugs xxx |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sarah 3 Star User
Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 40 Location: Nottinghamshire
|
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
Cath,
I take your point completely. People will do little if they think that someone somewhere is doing something for the local community. They will do more if they think that someone somewhere is doing something for the local community WITH THEIR money, and will do the most if they think that THEY are doing something for the local community with THEIR OWN money.
One question (though a biggie!) remains for me - how to get them to realise that they are involved in the process!?
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
cath_p 5 Star User
Joined: 18 Sep 2006 Posts: 120 Location: betwixt and between
|
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
baseball bat??? lol no not really. I am thinking of putting a crossword in the newsletter with daily answers on the website shouldnt take much doing i wouldnt think. also on the website maybe a daily quiz just a one liner and check in once a day. i know it sounds a lot of work but i work from home too, no longer have any dependants so can check in on the website daily. the other thing i have is a young persons page on my website (well when it goes live that is) and a community page and i might think of giving some sort of prize to senders of the best contribution quarterly or somthing like that , lots of ideas will let you know which (if any) work.
cath xxx |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sarah 3 Star User
Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 40 Location: Nottinghamshire
|
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 2:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Good ideas! Can't wait to see your new website!
xx |
|
Back to top |
|
|
new guy 2 Star User
Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Up North
|
Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 11:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
I find it quite refreshing to see councillors who (like myself) also want to keep the public informed about their community and would actually like to engage with them over the direction of future decisions.
In my neck of the woods, my main struggle is getting the other members of council to realize that they/we are there to serve the public and not the other way round.
I'm completely in favour of noticeboards, newsletters, websites and regular surgeries. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|