NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC - FOUR TIPS TO COPE AND CONNECT WITH PARTICIPANTS

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.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS - EMBRACING ONLINE AND FACE TO FACE ENGAGEMENT

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS - EMBRACING ONLINE AND FACE TO FACE ENGAGEMENT

Covid-19 has forced engagement professionals to move their work entirely into the online space.

As we think about a future where we can hold face-to-face workshops again, it will be fascinating to see what we carry forward from this online experience into our engagement programs.

DELIBERATIVE PRACTICES FOR COUNCILS - WHERE TO START

DELIBERATIVE PRACTICES FOR COUNCILS - WHERE TO START

As Victorian local councils face a local government election on October 24th and the induction of a new Council they are also implementing a new Local Government Act. Amongst the myriad of changes in the 2020 Act are new provisions for community engagement. This is a major step change in seeking to put communities at the centre of local government decision making.

Many councils would be wondering what they need to do meet these requirements, particularly the one about deliberative practices.

WHEN IS A FACILITATOR NEEDED IN THIS ONLINE WORLD?

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.

NEW TRAINING COURSES

NEW TRAINING COURSES

MosaicLab is excited to be offering two new training courses - Virtual Facilitation and Technical Skills (for anyone that is currently hosting, or learning to host, online meetings and workshops) and Deliberative Engagement for Victorian Councils (for council staff, executives and councillors who have a role in relation to the deliberative engagement requirements of the new Local Government Act).

Find out more here.

#MONTHLYMYTH: DELIBERATION IS FOR THE COUNCILLORS NOT FOR THE PEOPLE!

#MONTHLYMYTH: DELIBERATION IS FOR THE COUNCILLORS NOT FOR THE PEOPLE!

We often hear councillors and staff saying they don’t need to involve the community in deliberation as it is the role of councillors, or any elected official, to deliberate on an issue and make decisions. It is important to note that deliberative engagement does not supersede or dismiss the role of councillors in making decisions.

In this #MonthlyMyth, we discuss the five main ways that deliberation can help decision-makers and add value, rather than take away their decision-making powers.

CASE STUDY: LESSONS LEARNT FROM A FULLY ONLINE DELIBERATIVE PANEL

CASE STUDY: LESSONS LEARNT FROM A FULLY ONLINE DELIBERATIVE PANEL

This case study looks at lessons learned from running a a fully online deliberative panel for Baw Baw Shire Council. The output from the panel is to form the basis of Council decisions about a range of parking matters, which have been a highly contentious issue for a number of years.