Stream of Consciousness — 1.

I work in community engagement (otherwise known as consultations and outreach). It means I spend a lot of time talking to people who are effected by the decisions my organization makes, and the people who make those decisions.

Obviously in a role like that, I hear loads of opinions, criticisms, and ideas.

I’ve noticed a common thread throughout all them, and it’s started to make me think about what the purpose of engagement (or consultation, or outreach) really is. Is it just about getting their feedback? Their buy-in? Their approval? Or is it something else we’re missing?

Because for every complaint or idea I hear, I see two examples of outreach done “well” (based on what we think “well” looks like). Fancy surveys with expert design, revolutionary engagement methods with technology, fun fairs with prizes given to those who participate. Sometimes it’s lengthy reports documenting every step of the process, the thousands who participated, and bold statements about the future.

And yet it just… never feels like it hits the mark.

My hunch (that’s all this is), is that it feels that way because we’re approaching the topic all wrong. And by extension, the process of doing the thing to begin with.

I’ve heard from those we serve (“we serve” being abstract — people in my world, people in other worlds talking about the people who consult them, etc.) that it meant a world of a difference when they felt that the people who were consulting them made them feel listened to, respected, and their problems deeply considered.

There’s a nugget of gold in that I think. It’s just hard to polish.

My theory (and there’s always a theory) is that these engagements/consultations often feel like they miss the mark because we treat them as reactionary action-items to complete a project and not a proactive measure to inform the future.

I think, the essence of engagement is that it’s a priority setting exercise. It’s going to the people who are effected by a decision (or potential decision) and asking them what matters to them in this experience. To ask them what we should focus on. To keep in mind.

To ensure is reflected in the final decision, whatever that is.

Anything else is just… data collection.

Which isn’t bad per se. But it’s not the same.