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Community Engagement and Social Media: A Case Study

How Social Media can transform the way local government interacts with communities.

Fergal Coleman and Belinda McDaid

Introduction

• Fergal Coleman – Symphony3• Belinda McDaid – City of Kingston

www.symphony3.com/community-engagement

@symphony3think@kingstoncc#community

Our Story is about…

• Openly discussing ideas and collaborating with peers

• Using technology to reach previously disengaged members of the community– Time poor– Incapacitated– Socially isolated

• Upskilling and challenging ourselves to provide a better service

• Realising that we don’t know everything and we may make mistakes

It’s ok to make mistakes!

Community Consultation at Chelsea and Kingston

• Chelsea Community Renewal • Local Action Plan • Demographic – who are the target audience • Who’s Missing• Engagement Strategies – multi layered approach • Identify key partners / partnerships • AccessIT • Have Your Say Day

Social Media Context

• Social Media in everything we do - CEO• Employees empowered to use the tools

to solve problems• A Framework and process in place– Policy– Training– Eight week working groups

• The community engagement team is an energetic group

• No major budget – we need to be creative!

Step One: It starts with a chat…

Step Two: Lets go one better…

Step Three: We may be on to something!

Researching and Trialling…

The future: a consultation portal and process

Conclusion

• Create the right culture• Have a framework and process in place• It’s about people• Know your audience – demographics / community

profile• Understand their issues and where they are online• Engagement strategies – use the tools to enhance

and monitor community participation• Identify key partners / partnerships • Have a GO…

Questions?

www.symphony3.com/community-engagement

@symphony3think@kingstoncc