LARMA Professional Development Communications and Engagement

LARMA (Professional Development) Why qualifications? Why communications and engagement?

Communications and Engagement Australian Training Packages – 10 units 3- hour session to meet the requirements for: Unit 1: LGACOM502B Devise and Conduct Community Consultations (Diploma of Local Government) 1. Devise consultation strategies 2. Conduct consultations 3. Record, analyse and report on results

Communications and Engagement Content for today Introduction (brief) LG Act and Principles Community Engagement Why engage? The benefits and risks How do we enable communications and engagement? Who is the community that we communicate and engage with? Case Studies What are your Council’s values? Formal assessment – if you are interested

Communications and Engagement 2. Local Government Act (2009) Anyone who is performing a responsibility under this Act, to do so in accordance with the local government principles: Transparent and effective processes, and decision-making in the public interest Democratic representation, social inclusion and meaningful community engagement Community Engagement policy: Local Government (Finance, Plans & Reporting Regulations 2010) Community Engagement Policy To effectively communicate and achieve positive outcomes what do we need?

Communications and Engagement Activity 1 Knowledge Commitment Skills Resources

Communications and Engagement 3. What is Community Engagement and what is it for?

Communications and Engagement An activity: What are the benefits of community engagement in a local government context? What factors influence whether you would engage or not engage in a challenge/conversation/engagement? What comes to mind when you hear the term “communications and community engagement”

Communications and Engagement How do we enable effective communications and engagement? International Association for Public Participation Spectrum (IAP2); Inform Consult Involve Collaborate Empower Participation goal Promise/Commit Communication techniques

Communications and Engagement YOUR Council’s Community Plan? Stages of effective communications and engagement phases (An activity) Intelligence gathering Input Phase Vision Phase Validation Phase Policy and adoption phase

Communications and Engagement WHO is the group that you deal with the most in your day to day activities? What are their key issues?

CASE STUDIES (Please refer to IAP spectrum) What are the typical issues that contribute to the following situations? Inform Consult Involve Collaborate Empower 1. A manager who is “always right”, does not motivate the team or individuals – always seems to “put them down” or patronise them. Not a productive team. 2. A leader who is regularly late (if he/she ever turns up) for irregular team meetings with no agenda when it does happen and does not share information about what is going on in Council. Never in his/her office. High staff turnover 3.The aggressive/moaning/angry ratepayer who gets on the phone regularly to tell Council “it is no good, and getting too expensive”. Ongoing complainant

Communications and Engagement What are our “values”? Activity: Please select a partner and discuss their values (and definitions)

Communications and Engagement Tips for effecting cultural change in our Council Identify different ways to engage Use the language needed (not what you want!) Language – “ability to undertake core business effectively” NOT more, just effective!!!

Communications and Engagement Formal Assessment – if you are interested? 1.Talk with your Supervisor, share what you have learned so far 2.Get him/her to sign off/support you with the assessment 3.Discuss within your working team, and let them know what you are trying to achieve/complete. 4.Within your team identify THREE issues that are negatively impacting on your team and its performance.

Communications and Engagement Formal Assessment – if you are interested? 5. Identify THREE current challenges for team members (look at the mix, their skills, the resources, their attitudes/their commitment to improving performance). 6. Maximum of 500 words, provide an overview of the processes that you have undertaken to engage within your team. Complete the table provided (about 150 words each) 7. Finally identify one advantage and one disadvantage for using techniques that have been provided (max 30 words in each column)

Communications and Engagement Formal Assessment – if you are interested? Please complete (hard copies) and post to: LGAQ – Training Services 25 Evelyn Street, Newstead Qld 4006 To arrive no later than Friday 16 November, If assessment meets all requirements: Statement of Attainment is issued If it does not meet all requirements: Statement of Attendance is issued.

Communications and Engagement Are you in interested in completing the full Diploma? As a group, (and member of LARMA), we can offer: 2 x 3 days to complete all units Assessments to be completed in your own time (some limitations apply) Weekend workshops can be offered in Brisbane Or other options?

Professional Development & Training Solutions Specialists in Local Government Content/Design/Delivery and Assessments services for: Elected Members Executive Management Managers/Supervisors/Leaders All local government workers Accredited courses/programs: Diploma and Certificate IV Qualifications Environmental Health/Planning/Administration/Project Management/Management... and others Non-Accredited courses/programs and services: Short courses Facilitated workshops Course/workshop design Consultancy Services Individual and workforce development services/support/strategies Forum/Conferences/Events presenters/facilitators

LARMA Thank you for your time this afternoon – and have a really successful Conference Happy communicating!