Fires, floods, a pandemic, wars and economic stress – humans everywhere are living through or witnessing a multitude of distressing events at once. It’s a time to connect with and support each other, even if we fear emotionally charged topics or feel uncertain how to approach them. Here are nine skills you can use in everyday conversations with family, friends and colleagues to help you and them process these events, bear heavy emotions and move forward together.
THE ROLE OF CONNECTION IN DELIBERATION
We have been in conversation recently with a community member who provided feedback on the experience of being part of a public deliberation. This panel member felt that there was a need for a much greater connection to be made between panel members. This article outlines some activities and suggestions for increasing the connection for a better outcome and improved experience for panel members.
MAKING A DECLARATION IS THE EASY PART
Globally, 1,807 local government bodies, such as municipal councils, have declared a climate emergency within the past 5 years. But making a declaration is the easy part. Partnering with the community to come up with responses to such a momentous and complicated challenge is not something that every council is willing to take on. But those who do will be rewarded with ideas and momentum from the community that council cannot possibly achieve on its own.
In this article we share with you a story of a local council in Victoria who has partnered with their community to respond to the climate emergency together.
COUNCIL LEADERS MOTIVATED BY NEW STATE GOVERNMENT CLIMATE CHANGE TRAINING FOR COUNCILS
VROOMING...IT'S THE NEW BEST THING
As we start ‘spreading our wings’ and facilitating more face-to-face sessions we are finding new ways to mix up our processes and blending our insights from the last 12 months. As a result we have coined a new term ‘vrooming’ – this is when we blend mixed the face-to-face and virtual facilitation at the same time to bring the best of both worlds together.
FINDING THE BEST (ONLINE) TOOLS FOR THE JOB
FACE-TO-FACE ENGAGEMENT - WHERE TO FROM HERE
NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC - FOUR TIPS TO COPE AND CONNECT WITH PARTICIPANTS
Major crises, like what we are experiencing currently with COVID-19 globally, impacts every aspect of our lives. In our roles as engagement practitioners, it is crucial we are sensitive to the changes and feelings our participants may have undergone or are currently feeling during this time.
This article provides four tips to keep in mind when facilitating during times of massive change.
WHEN IS A FACILITATOR NEEDED IN THIS ONLINE WORLD?
Our new world of online conversations can raise challenges. Every meeting no matter how small or informal needs a lead person, whether that is a chairperson, a facilitator or simply the person who initiated the meeting.
There are many meetings for which a member of the group can take up this role. But when is it wise to appoint an external, independent facilitator? This post explores the five reasons you should give this role to a skilled facilitator.
BRAVE NEW COMMS: INSPIRATIONAL CASE STUDIES
The rise of social media has transformed how we communicate with each other and how organisations communicate with their customers and communities. This rapidly changing landscape can be unforgiving to those who play it safe, and, often, government is seen to be lagging behind the private sector.
Effective communication is a key component of every engagement process. So, today we’re providing some communication inspiration - exploring some examples of bold, creative public sector campaigns that cut through the clutter.










