ONGOING ENGAGEMENT One-on-ones, listening sessions, and events

Ongoing Engagement Engagement is a continual process… Begins with the one-on-ones early in the organization stage …continues throughout planning to engage new people ……engages new people in implementation ……….continues the conversation around quality of life There’s a difference between involvement (participation) and commitment (engagement). In a bacon and eggs breakfast, the chicken was involved, but the pig was committed.

One-on-One Same type of setting as in the organization phase… Not really any question except “Tell me about yourself?” Residents and formal leaders should be doing these, so it can be a two-way interview (not all relationships should be vested with the organizer) Notes should be passed along to the organizer so they can be kept in a file for reference NO ASK…just listen. Listen for interests, passions, and skills (not always the same)

One-on-One: Keep in Mind Meet in a location that is comfortable for the person who has agreed to be interviewed Ask questions for more detail or clarification only Keep the focus on the person being interviewed Keep your reactions to things you don’t agree with in check Do not ask for anything or ask them to commit to anything Take notes or write information down following session Share the information with the organizer Can follow up after a few weeks with asks People are most likely to say yes when you engage their passion rather than their skills (unless they are the same)

Listening Sessions Generally held around a topic Invitations to those with interest in the topic (may need to be broad invitation until you know) Can be very low-tech with good facilitation Have 4-5 questions for the group to respond to Record responses Capture participant information so you can be back in touch Share the findings

World Cafe A multi-topic type of listening session Broad invitation Tables for different topics Structure so 3-4 topics in a session or open format Have 2-3 guiding questions Flipcharts or notepads to record discussions Helps to have one facilitator per table Collect participant information Share the findings

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) The people who come are the right people The topics that come up are the right topics Need an experienced facilitator Participants record discussion topics on sticky notes (one per note) and place on wall Facilitator groups like topics Groups convene around the topics identified and discuss Discussion is recorded on flipcharts (may need topic facilitators) Collect participant information Share the findings

Events Engages people who see something happening and want to participate Can be low cost Tailor to the neighborhood Make use of neighborhood assets

Block Clean-Up

Flower Planting with Kids Activities

Flower Planting

Property of the Month

Mascot Activities

Others What ideas do you have to engage people in your neighborhood?