Whether you are an attendee at an event or a community member looking to engage with your local government, you want to have information at your fingertips and have your questions answered in a timely manner. The correlation between event management and government becomes apparent as both entities seek to leverage digital tools for streamlined operations. Technology has not slowed down, so why should engagement and transparency for your communities? Local governments play a crucial role in fostering trust and communication and should thereby have the necessary tools and technology in place to fulfill their obligation.
The Covid pandemic prompted a significant shift towards digital transformation. As an event leader during that time, conferences, educational sessions, and tradeshows had to move online for our health and safety. Now online events and webinars are game-changing tools to increase attendance and reach those unable to attend live events. Similarly, local governments turned to online tools. One example was online meeting platforms like Zoom which offered transparency to their community members during the lockdown. From a quick search of ‘Zoom for council meetings’, anyone can see instructions from many places across the country on how to join their meetings virtually and participate. These online systems are here to stay and the want for transparency and the digital tools that provide it will continue to grow.
However, many places across the US have overlooked the critical need to engage and communicate with their citizens, leading to public outcry. A recent article from the Associated Press mentioned a borough council in Pennsylvania that raised property taxes 57% without alerting their citizens (Scicchitano). With inflation already hitting many families' wallets, this increase was shocking. In a different instance, a town in North Carolina failed to produce 38% of the records requested to members of the public between November 2021 and Jun 2022.
Digital transformation, particularly the hosting of information online, presents a solution by simplifying access and reducing bureaucratic hurdles associated with physical document management.By hosting information online, communities are able to access information more easily and with more ease compared to obtaining physical copies. People are wanting the same self-service they experience in the public sector. If we can receive a text message when our groceries are ready for pick up, why can’t we use a similar system to send out updates and alerts to communities?
Despite the benefits, encouraging communities to adopt new tools can be challenging. Providing the tools for engagement and self-service though may be more easily implemented than having them adopted by your community. In my experience, even though event apps offer the latest information on sessions as well as alerts on what is to come, people still want to hold a physical paper event program and remain upset when an updated session is not listed in the program. Many do not realize the enhancements and convenience of having all the event information on an online platform. It is up to the event team to encourage and promote the advantages of downloading the app versus relying on the use of a physical conference program.
This translates over to citizen engagement tools. For example, with gWorks citizen engagement portal, FrontDesk, we have seen through our implementation experiences that community members are more likely to sign up for the platform if the municipal clerk promotes and advertises the benefits of using the software vs doing things the way they have always been done. Many people would agree it would be easier if you could pay your bills online instead of dropping a check at city hall or submitting an online form versus waiting on the phone to speak to Public Works about a water main break. If examples like these were digitized, we would save so much time and be able to dedicate more of our efforts to other tasks.
Understanding citizens’ preferences is key to successfully rolling out new digital processes. Conveying cost-savings and operational improvements is vital, demonstrating the value of these tools and transforming residents into active participants in their communities. In a recent article from government technology covering the Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo, the best way to roll out new digital processes is to understand what people want (Descant). Win the town over by showing the value of the tool and transform your residents into active participants in their community.
Make sure to also have a long term plan for the digital transformation of your community. In a recent article from the performance management solution, ClearPoint Strategy, you as the local leader need to define your long-term goals and have a comprehensive plan on how they will be achieved (Lucco). You can have all the latest and greatest technology in the world, but if you don’t have a long term plan for its implementation and use, you may miss out on using it to its full potential or use the wrong technology to try and solve a problem.
While some cities use social media as a way of communicating with their constituents - a great way to offer transparency and connect with residents - it can fall short. Local governments should leverage social media, however, they should not use it as an end-all-be-all solution. While social media is useful for sharing updates and news, it does not offer robust reporting tools, like, 311 requests, that are available on cloud-based citizen engagement software platforms. Many solutions like gWorks FrontDesk offer tools to easily keep the public informed, provide online payment options, offer engagement and collaboration with citizens, and the ability to host online forms.
Imagine if every community across the country had an integrated cloud platform that would be easily available to citizens to submit the appearance of a pothole after spring thaw or to follow up on the latest council’s agenda and minutes. Gone would be the days of scrambling to find the right person to alert to fill the pothole or upset citizens who find out the council voted against an important matter a little too late. By creating a cohesive two way street and embracing technology, governments and their citizens can better partner together to support their community. Technology is not slowing down, so why not use it for the betterment of your community today?
Citations:
Descant, Skip. “Digital Transformation ‘Supports Everything’ in a Modern City.” Government Technology, 2 Jan. 2024, https://www.govtech.com/smart-cities/digital-transformation-supports-everything-in-a-modern-city. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Lucco, Joseph. “2 Impactful Ways To Increase Transparency In Local Government.” ClearPoint Strategy, 25 Jan. 2024, https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/blog/increase-transparency-in-local-government. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Scicchitano, Eric, and Josh Kelety. “Locked out of Local Government: Residents Decry Increased Secrecy among Towns, Counties, Schools.” The Associated Press, 23 Dec. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/local-government-secrecy-records-meetings-4812c60d19b584c59f6fe2a007c09393. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Whether you are an attendee at an event or a community member looking to engage with your local government, you want to have information at your fingertips and have your questions answered in a timely manner. The correlation between event management and government becomes apparent as both entities seek to leverage digital tools for streamlined operations. Technology has not slowed down, so why should engagement and transparency for your communities? Local governments play a crucial role in fostering trust and communication and should thereby have the necessary tools and technology in place to fulfill their obligation.
The Covid pandemic prompted a significant shift towards digital transformation. As an event leader during that time, conferences, educational sessions, and tradeshows had to move online for our health and safety. Now online events and webinars are game-changing tools to increase attendance and reach those unable to attend live events. Similarly, local governments turned to online tools. One example was online meeting platforms like Zoom which offered transparency to their community members during the lockdown. From a quick search of ‘Zoom for council meetings’, anyone can see instructions from many places across the country on how to join their meetings virtually and participate. These online systems are here to stay and the want for transparency and the digital tools that provide it will continue to grow.
However, many places across the US have overlooked the critical need to engage and communicate with their citizens, leading to public outcry. A recent article from the Associated Press mentioned a borough council in Pennsylvania that raised property taxes 57% without alerting their citizens (Scicchitano). With inflation already hitting many families' wallets, this increase was shocking. In a different instance, a town in North Carolina failed to produce 38% of the records requested to members of the public between November 2021 and Jun 2022.
Digital transformation, particularly the hosting of information online, presents a solution by simplifying access and reducing bureaucratic hurdles associated with physical document management.By hosting information online, communities are able to access information more easily and with more ease compared to obtaining physical copies. People are wanting the same self-service they experience in the public sector. If we can receive a text message when our groceries are ready for pick up, why can’t we use a similar system to send out updates and alerts to communities?
Despite the benefits, encouraging communities to adopt new tools can be challenging. Providing the tools for engagement and self-service though may be more easily implemented than having them adopted by your community. In my experience, even though event apps offer the latest information on sessions as well as alerts on what is to come, people still want to hold a physical paper event program and remain upset when an updated session is not listed in the program. Many do not realize the enhancements and convenience of having all the event information on an online platform. It is up to the event team to encourage and promote the advantages of downloading the app versus relying on the use of a physical conference program.
This translates over to citizen engagement tools. For example, with gWorks citizen engagement portal, FrontDesk, we have seen through our implementation experiences that community members are more likely to sign up for the platform if the municipal clerk promotes and advertises the benefits of using the software vs doing things the way they have always been done. Many people would agree it would be easier if you could pay your bills online instead of dropping a check at city hall or submitting an online form versus waiting on the phone to speak to Public Works about a water main break. If examples like these were digitized, we would save so much time and be able to dedicate more of our efforts to other tasks.
Understanding citizens’ preferences is key to successfully rolling out new digital processes. Conveying cost-savings and operational improvements is vital, demonstrating the value of these tools and transforming residents into active participants in their communities. In a recent article from government technology covering the Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo, the best way to roll out new digital processes is to understand what people want (Descant). Win the town over by showing the value of the tool and transform your residents into active participants in their community.
Make sure to also have a long term plan for the digital transformation of your community. In a recent article from the performance management solution, ClearPoint Strategy, you as the local leader need to define your long-term goals and have a comprehensive plan on how they will be achieved (Lucco). You can have all the latest and greatest technology in the world, but if you don’t have a long term plan for its implementation and use, you may miss out on using it to its full potential or use the wrong technology to try and solve a problem.
While some cities use social media as a way of communicating with their constituents - a great way to offer transparency and connect with residents - it can fall short. Local governments should leverage social media, however, they should not use it as an end-all-be-all solution. While social media is useful for sharing updates and news, it does not offer robust reporting tools, like, 311 requests, that are available on cloud-based citizen engagement software platforms. Many solutions like gWorks FrontDesk offer tools to easily keep the public informed, provide online payment options, offer engagement and collaboration with citizens, and the ability to host online forms.
Imagine if every community across the country had an integrated cloud platform that would be easily available to citizens to submit the appearance of a pothole after spring thaw or to follow up on the latest council’s agenda and minutes. Gone would be the days of scrambling to find the right person to alert to fill the pothole or upset citizens who find out the council voted against an important matter a little too late. By creating a cohesive two way street and embracing technology, governments and their citizens can better partner together to support their community. Technology is not slowing down, so why not use it for the betterment of your community today?
Citations:
Descant, Skip. “Digital Transformation ‘Supports Everything’ in a Modern City.” Government Technology, 2 Jan. 2024, https://www.govtech.com/smart-cities/digital-transformation-supports-everything-in-a-modern-city. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Lucco, Joseph. “2 Impactful Ways To Increase Transparency In Local Government.” ClearPoint Strategy, 25 Jan. 2024, https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/blog/increase-transparency-in-local-government. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Scicchitano, Eric, and Josh Kelety. “Locked out of Local Government: Residents Decry Increased Secrecy among Towns, Counties, Schools.” The Associated Press, 23 Dec. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/local-government-secrecy-records-meetings-4812c60d19b584c59f6fe2a007c09393. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Highlights
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Add to your calendar:
Whether you are an attendee at an event or a community member looking to engage with your local government, you want to have information at your fingertips and have your questions answered in a timely manner. The correlation between event management and government becomes apparent as both entities seek to leverage digital tools for streamlined operations. Technology has not slowed down, so why should engagement and transparency for your communities? Local governments play a crucial role in fostering trust and communication and should thereby have the necessary tools and technology in place to fulfill their obligation.
The Covid pandemic prompted a significant shift towards digital transformation. As an event leader during that time, conferences, educational sessions, and tradeshows had to move online for our health and safety. Now online events and webinars are game-changing tools to increase attendance and reach those unable to attend live events. Similarly, local governments turned to online tools. One example was online meeting platforms like Zoom which offered transparency to their community members during the lockdown. From a quick search of ‘Zoom for council meetings’, anyone can see instructions from many places across the country on how to join their meetings virtually and participate. These online systems are here to stay and the want for transparency and the digital tools that provide it will continue to grow.
However, many places across the US have overlooked the critical need to engage and communicate with their citizens, leading to public outcry. A recent article from the Associated Press mentioned a borough council in Pennsylvania that raised property taxes 57% without alerting their citizens (Scicchitano). With inflation already hitting many families' wallets, this increase was shocking. In a different instance, a town in North Carolina failed to produce 38% of the records requested to members of the public between November 2021 and Jun 2022.
Digital transformation, particularly the hosting of information online, presents a solution by simplifying access and reducing bureaucratic hurdles associated with physical document management.By hosting information online, communities are able to access information more easily and with more ease compared to obtaining physical copies. People are wanting the same self-service they experience in the public sector. If we can receive a text message when our groceries are ready for pick up, why can’t we use a similar system to send out updates and alerts to communities?
Despite the benefits, encouraging communities to adopt new tools can be challenging. Providing the tools for engagement and self-service though may be more easily implemented than having them adopted by your community. In my experience, even though event apps offer the latest information on sessions as well as alerts on what is to come, people still want to hold a physical paper event program and remain upset when an updated session is not listed in the program. Many do not realize the enhancements and convenience of having all the event information on an online platform. It is up to the event team to encourage and promote the advantages of downloading the app versus relying on the use of a physical conference program.
This translates over to citizen engagement tools. For example, with gWorks citizen engagement portal, FrontDesk, we have seen through our implementation experiences that community members are more likely to sign up for the platform if the municipal clerk promotes and advertises the benefits of using the software vs doing things the way they have always been done. Many people would agree it would be easier if you could pay your bills online instead of dropping a check at city hall or submitting an online form versus waiting on the phone to speak to Public Works about a water main break. If examples like these were digitized, we would save so much time and be able to dedicate more of our efforts to other tasks.
Understanding citizens’ preferences is key to successfully rolling out new digital processes. Conveying cost-savings and operational improvements is vital, demonstrating the value of these tools and transforming residents into active participants in their communities. In a recent article from government technology covering the Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo, the best way to roll out new digital processes is to understand what people want (Descant). Win the town over by showing the value of the tool and transform your residents into active participants in their community.
Make sure to also have a long term plan for the digital transformation of your community. In a recent article from the performance management solution, ClearPoint Strategy, you as the local leader need to define your long-term goals and have a comprehensive plan on how they will be achieved (Lucco). You can have all the latest and greatest technology in the world, but if you don’t have a long term plan for its implementation and use, you may miss out on using it to its full potential or use the wrong technology to try and solve a problem.
While some cities use social media as a way of communicating with their constituents - a great way to offer transparency and connect with residents - it can fall short. Local governments should leverage social media, however, they should not use it as an end-all-be-all solution. While social media is useful for sharing updates and news, it does not offer robust reporting tools, like, 311 requests, that are available on cloud-based citizen engagement software platforms. Many solutions like gWorks FrontDesk offer tools to easily keep the public informed, provide online payment options, offer engagement and collaboration with citizens, and the ability to host online forms.
Imagine if every community across the country had an integrated cloud platform that would be easily available to citizens to submit the appearance of a pothole after spring thaw or to follow up on the latest council’s agenda and minutes. Gone would be the days of scrambling to find the right person to alert to fill the pothole or upset citizens who find out the council voted against an important matter a little too late. By creating a cohesive two way street and embracing technology, governments and their citizens can better partner together to support their community. Technology is not slowing down, so why not use it for the betterment of your community today?
Citations:
Descant, Skip. “Digital Transformation ‘Supports Everything’ in a Modern City.” Government Technology, 2 Jan. 2024, https://www.govtech.com/smart-cities/digital-transformation-supports-everything-in-a-modern-city. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Lucco, Joseph. “2 Impactful Ways To Increase Transparency In Local Government.” ClearPoint Strategy, 25 Jan. 2024, https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/blog/increase-transparency-in-local-government. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Scicchitano, Eric, and Josh Kelety. “Locked out of Local Government: Residents Decry Increased Secrecy among Towns, Counties, Schools.” The Associated Press, 23 Dec. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/local-government-secrecy-records-meetings-4812c60d19b584c59f6fe2a007c09393. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Whether you are an attendee at an event or a community member looking to engage with your local government, you want to have information at your fingertips and have your questions answered in a timely manner. The correlation between event management and government becomes apparent as both entities seek to leverage digital tools for streamlined operations. Technology has not slowed down, so why should engagement and transparency for your communities? Local governments play a crucial role in fostering trust and communication and should thereby have the necessary tools and technology in place to fulfill their obligation.
The Covid pandemic prompted a significant shift towards digital transformation. As an event leader during that time, conferences, educational sessions, and tradeshows had to move online for our health and safety. Now online events and webinars are game-changing tools to increase attendance and reach those unable to attend live events. Similarly, local governments turned to online tools. One example was online meeting platforms like Zoom which offered transparency to their community members during the lockdown. From a quick search of ‘Zoom for council meetings’, anyone can see instructions from many places across the country on how to join their meetings virtually and participate. These online systems are here to stay and the want for transparency and the digital tools that provide it will continue to grow.
However, many places across the US have overlooked the critical need to engage and communicate with their citizens, leading to public outcry. A recent article from the Associated Press mentioned a borough council in Pennsylvania that raised property taxes 57% without alerting their citizens (Scicchitano). With inflation already hitting many families' wallets, this increase was shocking. In a different instance, a town in North Carolina failed to produce 38% of the records requested to members of the public between November 2021 and Jun 2022.
Digital transformation, particularly the hosting of information online, presents a solution by simplifying access and reducing bureaucratic hurdles associated with physical document management.By hosting information online, communities are able to access information more easily and with more ease compared to obtaining physical copies. People are wanting the same self-service they experience in the public sector. If we can receive a text message when our groceries are ready for pick up, why can’t we use a similar system to send out updates and alerts to communities?
Despite the benefits, encouraging communities to adopt new tools can be challenging. Providing the tools for engagement and self-service though may be more easily implemented than having them adopted by your community. In my experience, even though event apps offer the latest information on sessions as well as alerts on what is to come, people still want to hold a physical paper event program and remain upset when an updated session is not listed in the program. Many do not realize the enhancements and convenience of having all the event information on an online platform. It is up to the event team to encourage and promote the advantages of downloading the app versus relying on the use of a physical conference program.
This translates over to citizen engagement tools. For example, with gWorks citizen engagement portal, FrontDesk, we have seen through our implementation experiences that community members are more likely to sign up for the platform if the municipal clerk promotes and advertises the benefits of using the software vs doing things the way they have always been done. Many people would agree it would be easier if you could pay your bills online instead of dropping a check at city hall or submitting an online form versus waiting on the phone to speak to Public Works about a water main break. If examples like these were digitized, we would save so much time and be able to dedicate more of our efforts to other tasks.
Understanding citizens’ preferences is key to successfully rolling out new digital processes. Conveying cost-savings and operational improvements is vital, demonstrating the value of these tools and transforming residents into active participants in their communities. In a recent article from government technology covering the Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo, the best way to roll out new digital processes is to understand what people want (Descant). Win the town over by showing the value of the tool and transform your residents into active participants in their community.
Make sure to also have a long term plan for the digital transformation of your community. In a recent article from the performance management solution, ClearPoint Strategy, you as the local leader need to define your long-term goals and have a comprehensive plan on how they will be achieved (Lucco). You can have all the latest and greatest technology in the world, but if you don’t have a long term plan for its implementation and use, you may miss out on using it to its full potential or use the wrong technology to try and solve a problem.
While some cities use social media as a way of communicating with their constituents - a great way to offer transparency and connect with residents - it can fall short. Local governments should leverage social media, however, they should not use it as an end-all-be-all solution. While social media is useful for sharing updates and news, it does not offer robust reporting tools, like, 311 requests, that are available on cloud-based citizen engagement software platforms. Many solutions like gWorks FrontDesk offer tools to easily keep the public informed, provide online payment options, offer engagement and collaboration with citizens, and the ability to host online forms.
Imagine if every community across the country had an integrated cloud platform that would be easily available to citizens to submit the appearance of a pothole after spring thaw or to follow up on the latest council’s agenda and minutes. Gone would be the days of scrambling to find the right person to alert to fill the pothole or upset citizens who find out the council voted against an important matter a little too late. By creating a cohesive two way street and embracing technology, governments and their citizens can better partner together to support their community. Technology is not slowing down, so why not use it for the betterment of your community today?
Citations:
Descant, Skip. “Digital Transformation ‘Supports Everything’ in a Modern City.” Government Technology, 2 Jan. 2024, https://www.govtech.com/smart-cities/digital-transformation-supports-everything-in-a-modern-city. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Lucco, Joseph. “2 Impactful Ways To Increase Transparency In Local Government.” ClearPoint Strategy, 25 Jan. 2024, https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/blog/increase-transparency-in-local-government. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Scicchitano, Eric, and Josh Kelety. “Locked out of Local Government: Residents Decry Increased Secrecy among Towns, Counties, Schools.” The Associated Press, 23 Dec. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/local-government-secrecy-records-meetings-4812c60d19b584c59f6fe2a007c09393. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Highlights
View external link
Add to your calendar:
Whether you are an attendee at an event or a community member looking to engage with your local government, you want to have information at your fingertips and have your questions answered in a timely manner. The correlation between event management and government becomes apparent as both entities seek to leverage digital tools for streamlined operations. Technology has not slowed down, so why should engagement and transparency for your communities? Local governments play a crucial role in fostering trust and communication and should thereby have the necessary tools and technology in place to fulfill their obligation.
The Covid pandemic prompted a significant shift towards digital transformation. As an event leader during that time, conferences, educational sessions, and tradeshows had to move online for our health and safety. Now online events and webinars are game-changing tools to increase attendance and reach those unable to attend live events. Similarly, local governments turned to online tools. One example was online meeting platforms like Zoom which offered transparency to their community members during the lockdown. From a quick search of ‘Zoom for council meetings’, anyone can see instructions from many places across the country on how to join their meetings virtually and participate. These online systems are here to stay and the want for transparency and the digital tools that provide it will continue to grow.
However, many places across the US have overlooked the critical need to engage and communicate with their citizens, leading to public outcry. A recent article from the Associated Press mentioned a borough council in Pennsylvania that raised property taxes 57% without alerting their citizens (Scicchitano). With inflation already hitting many families' wallets, this increase was shocking. In a different instance, a town in North Carolina failed to produce 38% of the records requested to members of the public between November 2021 and Jun 2022.
Digital transformation, particularly the hosting of information online, presents a solution by simplifying access and reducing bureaucratic hurdles associated with physical document management.By hosting information online, communities are able to access information more easily and with more ease compared to obtaining physical copies. People are wanting the same self-service they experience in the public sector. If we can receive a text message when our groceries are ready for pick up, why can’t we use a similar system to send out updates and alerts to communities?
Despite the benefits, encouraging communities to adopt new tools can be challenging. Providing the tools for engagement and self-service though may be more easily implemented than having them adopted by your community. In my experience, even though event apps offer the latest information on sessions as well as alerts on what is to come, people still want to hold a physical paper event program and remain upset when an updated session is not listed in the program. Many do not realize the enhancements and convenience of having all the event information on an online platform. It is up to the event team to encourage and promote the advantages of downloading the app versus relying on the use of a physical conference program.
This translates over to citizen engagement tools. For example, with gWorks citizen engagement portal, FrontDesk, we have seen through our implementation experiences that community members are more likely to sign up for the platform if the municipal clerk promotes and advertises the benefits of using the software vs doing things the way they have always been done. Many people would agree it would be easier if you could pay your bills online instead of dropping a check at city hall or submitting an online form versus waiting on the phone to speak to Public Works about a water main break. If examples like these were digitized, we would save so much time and be able to dedicate more of our efforts to other tasks.
Understanding citizens’ preferences is key to successfully rolling out new digital processes. Conveying cost-savings and operational improvements is vital, demonstrating the value of these tools and transforming residents into active participants in their communities. In a recent article from government technology covering the Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo, the best way to roll out new digital processes is to understand what people want (Descant). Win the town over by showing the value of the tool and transform your residents into active participants in their community.
Make sure to also have a long term plan for the digital transformation of your community. In a recent article from the performance management solution, ClearPoint Strategy, you as the local leader need to define your long-term goals and have a comprehensive plan on how they will be achieved (Lucco). You can have all the latest and greatest technology in the world, but if you don’t have a long term plan for its implementation and use, you may miss out on using it to its full potential or use the wrong technology to try and solve a problem.
While some cities use social media as a way of communicating with their constituents - a great way to offer transparency and connect with residents - it can fall short. Local governments should leverage social media, however, they should not use it as an end-all-be-all solution. While social media is useful for sharing updates and news, it does not offer robust reporting tools, like, 311 requests, that are available on cloud-based citizen engagement software platforms. Many solutions like gWorks FrontDesk offer tools to easily keep the public informed, provide online payment options, offer engagement and collaboration with citizens, and the ability to host online forms.
Imagine if every community across the country had an integrated cloud platform that would be easily available to citizens to submit the appearance of a pothole after spring thaw or to follow up on the latest council’s agenda and minutes. Gone would be the days of scrambling to find the right person to alert to fill the pothole or upset citizens who find out the council voted against an important matter a little too late. By creating a cohesive two way street and embracing technology, governments and their citizens can better partner together to support their community. Technology is not slowing down, so why not use it for the betterment of your community today?
Citations:
Descant, Skip. “Digital Transformation ‘Supports Everything’ in a Modern City.” Government Technology, 2 Jan. 2024, https://www.govtech.com/smart-cities/digital-transformation-supports-everything-in-a-modern-city. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Lucco, Joseph. “2 Impactful Ways To Increase Transparency In Local Government.” ClearPoint Strategy, 25 Jan. 2024, https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/blog/increase-transparency-in-local-government. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Scicchitano, Eric, and Josh Kelety. “Locked out of Local Government: Residents Decry Increased Secrecy among Towns, Counties, Schools.” The Associated Press, 23 Dec. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/local-government-secrecy-records-meetings-4812c60d19b584c59f6fe2a007c09393. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Whether you are an attendee at an event or a community member looking to engage with your local government, you want to have information at your fingertips and have your questions answered in a timely manner. The correlation between event management and government becomes apparent as both entities seek to leverage digital tools for streamlined operations. Technology has not slowed down, so why should engagement and transparency for your communities? Local governments play a crucial role in fostering trust and communication and should thereby have the necessary tools and technology in place to fulfill their obligation.
The Covid pandemic prompted a significant shift towards digital transformation. As an event leader during that time, conferences, educational sessions, and tradeshows had to move online for our health and safety. Now online events and webinars are game-changing tools to increase attendance and reach those unable to attend live events. Similarly, local governments turned to online tools. One example was online meeting platforms like Zoom which offered transparency to their community members during the lockdown. From a quick search of ‘Zoom for council meetings’, anyone can see instructions from many places across the country on how to join their meetings virtually and participate. These online systems are here to stay and the want for transparency and the digital tools that provide it will continue to grow.
However, many places across the US have overlooked the critical need to engage and communicate with their citizens, leading to public outcry. A recent article from the Associated Press mentioned a borough council in Pennsylvania that raised property taxes 57% without alerting their citizens (Scicchitano). With inflation already hitting many families' wallets, this increase was shocking. In a different instance, a town in North Carolina failed to produce 38% of the records requested to members of the public between November 2021 and Jun 2022.
Digital transformation, particularly the hosting of information online, presents a solution by simplifying access and reducing bureaucratic hurdles associated with physical document management.By hosting information online, communities are able to access information more easily and with more ease compared to obtaining physical copies. People are wanting the same self-service they experience in the public sector. If we can receive a text message when our groceries are ready for pick up, why can’t we use a similar system to send out updates and alerts to communities?
Despite the benefits, encouraging communities to adopt new tools can be challenging. Providing the tools for engagement and self-service though may be more easily implemented than having them adopted by your community. In my experience, even though event apps offer the latest information on sessions as well as alerts on what is to come, people still want to hold a physical paper event program and remain upset when an updated session is not listed in the program. Many do not realize the enhancements and convenience of having all the event information on an online platform. It is up to the event team to encourage and promote the advantages of downloading the app versus relying on the use of a physical conference program.
This translates over to citizen engagement tools. For example, with gWorks citizen engagement portal, FrontDesk, we have seen through our implementation experiences that community members are more likely to sign up for the platform if the municipal clerk promotes and advertises the benefits of using the software vs doing things the way they have always been done. Many people would agree it would be easier if you could pay your bills online instead of dropping a check at city hall or submitting an online form versus waiting on the phone to speak to Public Works about a water main break. If examples like these were digitized, we would save so much time and be able to dedicate more of our efforts to other tasks.
Understanding citizens’ preferences is key to successfully rolling out new digital processes. Conveying cost-savings and operational improvements is vital, demonstrating the value of these tools and transforming residents into active participants in their communities. In a recent article from government technology covering the Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo, the best way to roll out new digital processes is to understand what people want (Descant). Win the town over by showing the value of the tool and transform your residents into active participants in their community.
Make sure to also have a long term plan for the digital transformation of your community. In a recent article from the performance management solution, ClearPoint Strategy, you as the local leader need to define your long-term goals and have a comprehensive plan on how they will be achieved (Lucco). You can have all the latest and greatest technology in the world, but if you don’t have a long term plan for its implementation and use, you may miss out on using it to its full potential or use the wrong technology to try and solve a problem.
While some cities use social media as a way of communicating with their constituents - a great way to offer transparency and connect with residents - it can fall short. Local governments should leverage social media, however, they should not use it as an end-all-be-all solution. While social media is useful for sharing updates and news, it does not offer robust reporting tools, like, 311 requests, that are available on cloud-based citizen engagement software platforms. Many solutions like gWorks FrontDesk offer tools to easily keep the public informed, provide online payment options, offer engagement and collaboration with citizens, and the ability to host online forms.
Imagine if every community across the country had an integrated cloud platform that would be easily available to citizens to submit the appearance of a pothole after spring thaw or to follow up on the latest council’s agenda and minutes. Gone would be the days of scrambling to find the right person to alert to fill the pothole or upset citizens who find out the council voted against an important matter a little too late. By creating a cohesive two way street and embracing technology, governments and their citizens can better partner together to support their community. Technology is not slowing down, so why not use it for the betterment of your community today?
Citations:
Descant, Skip. “Digital Transformation ‘Supports Everything’ in a Modern City.” Government Technology, 2 Jan. 2024, https://www.govtech.com/smart-cities/digital-transformation-supports-everything-in-a-modern-city. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Lucco, Joseph. “2 Impactful Ways To Increase Transparency In Local Government.” ClearPoint Strategy, 25 Jan. 2024, https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/blog/increase-transparency-in-local-government. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Scicchitano, Eric, and Josh Kelety. “Locked out of Local Government: Residents Decry Increased Secrecy among Towns, Counties, Schools.” The Associated Press, 23 Dec. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/local-government-secrecy-records-meetings-4812c60d19b584c59f6fe2a007c09393. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Highlights
Whether you are an attendee at an event or a community member looking to engage with your local government, you want to have information at your fingertips and have your questions answered in a timely manner. The correlation between event management and government becomes apparent as both entities seek to leverage digital tools for streamlined operations. Technology has not slowed down, so why should engagement and transparency for your communities? Local governments play a crucial role in fostering trust and communication and should thereby have the necessary tools and technology in place to fulfill their obligation.
The Covid pandemic prompted a significant shift towards digital transformation. As an event leader during that time, conferences, educational sessions, and tradeshows had to move online for our health and safety. Now online events and webinars are game-changing tools to increase attendance and reach those unable to attend live events. Similarly, local governments turned to online tools. One example was online meeting platforms like Zoom which offered transparency to their community members during the lockdown. From a quick search of ‘Zoom for council meetings’, anyone can see instructions from many places across the country on how to join their meetings virtually and participate. These online systems are here to stay and the want for transparency and the digital tools that provide it will continue to grow.
However, many places across the US have overlooked the critical need to engage and communicate with their citizens, leading to public outcry. A recent article from the Associated Press mentioned a borough council in Pennsylvania that raised property taxes 57% without alerting their citizens (Scicchitano). With inflation already hitting many families' wallets, this increase was shocking. In a different instance, a town in North Carolina failed to produce 38% of the records requested to members of the public between November 2021 and Jun 2022.
Digital transformation, particularly the hosting of information online, presents a solution by simplifying access and reducing bureaucratic hurdles associated with physical document management.By hosting information online, communities are able to access information more easily and with more ease compared to obtaining physical copies. People are wanting the same self-service they experience in the public sector. If we can receive a text message when our groceries are ready for pick up, why can’t we use a similar system to send out updates and alerts to communities?
Despite the benefits, encouraging communities to adopt new tools can be challenging. Providing the tools for engagement and self-service though may be more easily implemented than having them adopted by your community. In my experience, even though event apps offer the latest information on sessions as well as alerts on what is to come, people still want to hold a physical paper event program and remain upset when an updated session is not listed in the program. Many do not realize the enhancements and convenience of having all the event information on an online platform. It is up to the event team to encourage and promote the advantages of downloading the app versus relying on the use of a physical conference program.
This translates over to citizen engagement tools. For example, with gWorks citizen engagement portal, FrontDesk, we have seen through our implementation experiences that community members are more likely to sign up for the platform if the municipal clerk promotes and advertises the benefits of using the software vs doing things the way they have always been done. Many people would agree it would be easier if you could pay your bills online instead of dropping a check at city hall or submitting an online form versus waiting on the phone to speak to Public Works about a water main break. If examples like these were digitized, we would save so much time and be able to dedicate more of our efforts to other tasks.
Understanding citizens’ preferences is key to successfully rolling out new digital processes. Conveying cost-savings and operational improvements is vital, demonstrating the value of these tools and transforming residents into active participants in their communities. In a recent article from government technology covering the Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo, the best way to roll out new digital processes is to understand what people want (Descant). Win the town over by showing the value of the tool and transform your residents into active participants in their community.
Make sure to also have a long term plan for the digital transformation of your community. In a recent article from the performance management solution, ClearPoint Strategy, you as the local leader need to define your long-term goals and have a comprehensive plan on how they will be achieved (Lucco). You can have all the latest and greatest technology in the world, but if you don’t have a long term plan for its implementation and use, you may miss out on using it to its full potential or use the wrong technology to try and solve a problem.
While some cities use social media as a way of communicating with their constituents - a great way to offer transparency and connect with residents - it can fall short. Local governments should leverage social media, however, they should not use it as an end-all-be-all solution. While social media is useful for sharing updates and news, it does not offer robust reporting tools, like, 311 requests, that are available on cloud-based citizen engagement software platforms. Many solutions like gWorks FrontDesk offer tools to easily keep the public informed, provide online payment options, offer engagement and collaboration with citizens, and the ability to host online forms.
Imagine if every community across the country had an integrated cloud platform that would be easily available to citizens to submit the appearance of a pothole after spring thaw or to follow up on the latest council’s agenda and minutes. Gone would be the days of scrambling to find the right person to alert to fill the pothole or upset citizens who find out the council voted against an important matter a little too late. By creating a cohesive two way street and embracing technology, governments and their citizens can better partner together to support their community. Technology is not slowing down, so why not use it for the betterment of your community today?
Citations:
Descant, Skip. “Digital Transformation ‘Supports Everything’ in a Modern City.” Government Technology, 2 Jan. 2024, https://www.govtech.com/smart-cities/digital-transformation-supports-everything-in-a-modern-city. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Lucco, Joseph. “2 Impactful Ways To Increase Transparency In Local Government.” ClearPoint Strategy, 25 Jan. 2024, https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/blog/increase-transparency-in-local-government. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
Scicchitano, Eric, and Josh Kelety. “Locked out of Local Government: Residents Decry Increased Secrecy among Towns, Counties, Schools.” The Associated Press, 23 Dec. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/local-government-secrecy-records-meetings-4812c60d19b584c59f6fe2a007c09393. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.
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