Community Relations DSS2007 Cheung Chor-yung

Study tips n Dos & Don’ts –be creative –be original –try to read the suggested reading as much as possible –do not rely on notes only –do not be a copy cat

Summary of 1 st & 2nd Lecture Topics n What is CR & PR n Why organisation engage in CR n Organisation as a “system” n The communication dimension n Organisational linkages n The nature of publics

What is CR? n “Community relations programs…are specialised public relations programs to facilitate communication between an organisation and publics in its geographic locality.” Grunig & Hunt

What is PR? n “Public relations is the management function that establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relations between an organisation and the publics on whom its success or failure depends.” Cutlip et al

Key words in the PR definition n Management function n mutually beneficial relationships n Organisation & publics

Typical CR activities n Activities to help an organisation to communicate with community leaders & residents n Activities that involve the organisation in the community n Activities that involve the community in the organisation

Why do organisations engage in CR? n To serve organisation aims and objectives n To facilitate communication n To improve image n To enhance profit n To increase accountability & transparency

Organisation as a “system” n “A system is an organised set of interacting parts or subsystems. Each subsystem affects the other subsystems as well as the total organisation.” Grunig & Hunt