Community Feedback in Action: Council Case Studies
So we talked to your community — what actually happened after that? We work on a wide range of projects, with the engagement phase scheduled at the start, middle, and/or end of each project. Some projects involve decision-making very much in the public domain, whilst others can be ‘quiet’ engagement exercises.
Why B Corp with Cindy Plowman
Conversation Co has just been awarded global certification and inducted into B Corp as an organisation that exists to do good things, while also being a force for good. Director, Cindy Plowman shares her reasons behind certification, learnings along the way and advice to others interested.
Facilitation Microskills Guide
It’s important to understand that facilitation is not only about the others in the room, it starts with you. The key to a productive session is ensuring that you are performing at your best and taking the steps necessary to get you into that optimal state.
Practice Guide: Evaluating the Effectiveness of a MPHWP
Evaluation is a crucial element of all strategic planning. As we come to a new planning cycle of Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans (MPHWP), we encourage you to take the time to evaluate and reflect on your current MPHWP.
New to Local Government: Sector Guidance Planning & Reporting
2024 and 2025 will be busy years for all Victorian councils. A number of key strategic plans will be prepared and there will be council elections in October 2024. The Local Government Act 2020 requires councils to prepare a long-term Community Vision, a four-year Council Plan, a ten-year Financial Plan and a ten-year Asset Plan, after every four-year election cycle. Community engagement is mandatory or highly recommended for all these plans.
Benefits & Risks of Including a MPHWP within a Council Plan
Through the Public Health and Wellbeing Act (2008) all councils are required to prepare a Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan (MPHWP) every four years, within 12 months of a council election. With council elections occurring in October 2024, now is the time to consider how to meet the requirements of the Act.
Voter Fatigue on Community Engagement
Voter fatigue refers to the apathy felt towards voting by people who live in a country /state that functions as a democracy. It is generally known to be caused by having to vote in multiple elections in a short period of time – in the Australian context this could refer to the federal, state, local elections, as well as a referendum. It is important to acknowledge the impact this may have on other smaller scale forms of community engagement and how we keep community members informed and address barriers that prevent people from experiencing engagement fatigue.
Navigating the Communications Landscape & Social Media Trends in 2024
For community engagement organisations and businesses, social media remains an essential tool for fostering community engagement and building brand awareness. Here are some predictions for social media in 2024.
Cost of Living on Community Engagement
In a post-pandemic world, we’re all trying to “get back to normal” but as the 2023 year closes, this normal world is a turbulent one. Many of us in Australia are focused on our own finances and affordability of key purchases in the future. What is influencing everyday Australians?
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).