Reflections on The Voice Referendum 2023
In light of the recent referendum results, it is important to unpack influencing factors that led to the defeat of the proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. There needed to be a majority nationally as well in four of the six states. The ACT was the only territory that had a majority of Yes votes, with every other state and territory voting against the Voice. Despite polls leading up to the referendum anticipating a loss, there was shock as to how far we swung to ‘No’ as a nation (60.52% nationally). The technological and political landscape’s influence on the large-scale engagement process are necessary considerations as we reflect on what has happened and where we go from here.
How We Analyse our Marketing & Communications Efforts
At Conversation Co, we are big analysers of our work. Analysing is as important as the planning and execution process because it can tell us a lot. For example, whether our work is getting to the right audience, the level of impact, what worked well or needs to be improved on, and the trends and predictions that we can tap into.
How We Scale Up/Down Depending on the Client’s Needs
We can support you through the whole process or you can ‘pick and mix’ specialised support for key moments depending on your project needs.
Data Collection Framework 101
The data collection framework is a spreadsheet used to record each individual response or answer you receive from the community during engagement activities. What goes into the framework?
Indigenous Voice to Parliament
Voting in a referendum is community engagement at a national scale. The Indigenous Voice to Parliament has been a topic of current public debate as referendum day gets closer. It is important to consider the history of the Voice, its function and the process of the referendum in order to stay informed and make a decision that reflects our current values as a nation.
The Value of Detailed Planning & How It Saves You Time
If you’re involved in any kind of project, whether it’s in the public sector, private industry, or community initiatives, you’ve probably heard about Engagement Plans. Engagement Plans are a working document that is intended to be updated throughout the duration of the project. They are important in keeping everyone involved in the project up-to-speed and on the same page, and serves as the backbone of your project.
The Role of Social Planning, Social Research & Community Engagement
Sometimes our clients ask us to engage with their stakeholders when another approach is more suitable. What exactly is the difference between social research and community engagement? Where does social planning and technical information fit into the picture? Some projects will utilise one method, while others utilise all three approaches, at different stages.
Foster Care Week 2023
Foster Care Week provided an opportunity for Conversation Co to partner with Anglicare to raise the awareness about the need for more foster carers in Victoria as well as provide information for people who may consider becoming a foster carer in the future.
Tailoring Communication Strategies to your Stakeholders
Your project will have a variety of stakeholders – from external stakeholders like the relevant wider community, to internal stakeholders like staff across other departments. Different stakeholders have varying levels of interest and involvement in a project. A well-defined communications plan will help identify key stakeholders and develop tailored communications strategies for each group. Engaging stakeholders with relevant information keeps them informed, engaged and supportive of the project’s progress. So how do you tailor up to your target audience/stakeholders?
What Should you Include in a Communications Plan?
Following is what we include within our communications plan. Your communications plan should always align with your overall engagement strategy.
The Value of Communications in Engagement Programs
Effective communication is essential to supporting your engagement program. Communication is more than just letting your community and stakeholders know that a project is happening, it can help to foster a sense of connection, build trust, and maintain engagement in your project (and in turn, your organisation).
Correlation Between Food Trends & Community Acceptance in Melbourne
Let’s talk about the correlation between food trends and community acceptance within Melbourne. Picture this: a delightful blend of flavours, cultures, and a dash of quirkiness. Melbourne’s food scene has a way of bringing people together, and food trends play a significant role in fostering community acceptance. It’s like a delicious recipe where the ingredients are the trends, and the outcome is a harmonious foodie paradise.
Being Conscious in Community Engagement Amidst Rising Costs
When it comes to community engagement efforts in the face of inflation and rising living costs in Melbourne, it’s crucial to be conscious and mindful of the community’s needs and challenges. Here are some friendly tips to help you (and us) navigate this situation.
What If We Had Celebrity Endorsement in Community Engagement?
Ah, the allure of celebrity endorsements and its impact on community engagement! We rarely see celebrities endorsing community engagement projects, but what if they did?
Positive Spin of Rising Costs on Community Engagement
When it comes to community engagement as an industry, there’s no doubt that the rising living costs, increases in minimum wage, and inflation in Melbourne can have an impact. However, let’s take a friendly and optimistic perspective on this.
Engaging with Caregivers, Caring for Family Members Accessing Commonwealth Home Support
Engaging with those that provide care and support can provide a rich and diverse perspective to any project where there is a need to better understand how to support both an individual accessing health services and the support needed for carers. This carers week, have a think about how you can engage and include the voice of caregivers in any projects.
Engaging with Caregivers in Manningham
Engaging with caregivers is an essential part of any community development project. Carers have a unique understanding of the strengths, needs and aspirations of the people they care for. They are highly skilled people who have knowledge of the day to day lives of target groups. They reflect on trends and influences and understand how decision makers, governments and policy can impact experiences first hand. In short, they are a wealth of knowledge and expertise for making social change, developing strategies and delivering meaningful impact.
Making Participation Easy for Parents and Caregivers
Some of our favourite engagement projects are centred on the contribution of kids and their caregivers. They always bring fun, colour and random creativity to a project from suggestions for a cats and dogs olympics under the proposed raised rail in Merri-bek City Council, a free goldfish giveaway for residents of Whittlesea to support the Domestic Animal Management Policy and an all animal school zoo to send domestic animals to during the day to support native biodiversity in Melbourne’s West. It is worth mentioning the latter two suggestions were the ideas of caregivers inspired by their kids.
Supporting Engagement with Caregivers
Participating in community engagement activities, whether they are online or in-person can be tough for those caring for another person. So in our line of work, it is important to consider the needs of these individuals to ensure that, regardless of their busy schedule, they too have a chance to have their say.