Community Relations by Eric Jones Define your objectives--what are you trying to do? Your audiences Public expectations Communicate effectively Enable citizens Deliver service
What does it do for me? What will it cost me? What guarantees do I have? Get what you want Conformance with legal constraints Efficient operations Staffing Fulfillment of mission Get some respect Broad public policy Fairness Stewardship of public facilities Get re-elected Whose Objectives?
Community Relations Know Your Audience Taxpayers and ratepayers Primary service users Small groups interested in a specific project Large groups indirectly affected by projects Voters Opinion leaders (formal and informal) Neighborhood and business leaders Community activists Organizations and service clubs
Community Relations May conflict May be unrealistic May be charged with emotion May see ‘us’ as ‘them’ Public Expectations
Community Relations Listen carefully Thank citizens for bringing up issues Acknowledge their right to an opinion Ask customers for their help in identifying problems and needs Involve them in the solution. Communicate Effectively
Community Relations Communicating Effectively Speak their language Depersonalize the problem Focus on facts, not positions Agree to measurable criteria Commit to a clear plan of action
Community Relations Give them the tools and information they need Respect other points of view Your community is in the driver’s seat; if they don’t support it, don’t do it Embrace change Don’t make promises you can’t keep--bring value to the table Enable Citizens
Community Relations Involve staff in customer relations Fair, equitable, consistent policies Clear standards Get credit for work Get feedback Deliver Service
Community Relations The Rules of Disengagement Acknowledge customers’ feelings Give enough time for them to vent Offer to have someone else talk to them Know the bounds of propriety Don’t take their anger personally Document difficult conversations In face-to-face situations, use a brochure or business card