Enhancing Community Engagement: Strategies for Building Trust and Civic Pride

Introduction

Welcome to an enlightening discussion on transforming community engagement to foster trust, impact, and civic pride. Alexa Bush, a program officer at the Kresge Foundation, introduces the session, highlighting the collaboration of various foundations and local partners in the Reimagining the Civic Commons project. This initiative demonstrates how civic assets can bridge differences and contribute solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Launched in 2016, it has become a model for cities to design, manage, and program public spaces toward transformative outcomes.

The Transform Your Practice Community Engagement Card Deck

A novel resource emerged from this initiative - the Transform Your Practice Community Engagement Card Deck. Designed for practitioners, this deck offers creative, practical, and proven outreach ideas in an easy-to-use format. The card deck addresses common myths associated with community engagement, such as the expectation of harmony and the effectiveness of traditional methods. It encourages thinking of engagement not just as input collection but as a process and outcome for public service work, emphasizing the role of civic assets in restoring trust in local governments and institutions.

Strategies for Effective Engagement

Building Relationships and Trust

Experts from the panel, including Gia Biagi of Studio Gang, Jamal Bodie of Bloom Incorporated, and Dan Rice of the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition, share insights on building relationships and trust through community engagement. They emphasize the importance of meeting people where they are, recognizing the expertise within communities, and the need for continuous engagement beyond specific projects.

Breaking Down Traditional Engagement

The discussion also touches on breaking away from traditional engagement methods that often become transactional. Instead, the focus shifts towards creating meaningful interactions and leveraging civic assets as platforms for fostering diverse public life and building trust. This includes employing innovative engagement strategies, like employing residents as data collectors or hosting creative events to draw people into the conversation.

Navigating Power Dynamics

An essential aspect of community engagement is navigating power dynamics within communities. Recognizing who has power and who has stakes in the outcomes of civic projects allows for a more inclusive approach. Efforts to include those with high stakes but low power and to engage those who may not realize they have a stake in the project's outcomes are crucial for equitable and impactful engagement.

Adapting to Change and Challenges

The panelists also discuss the need for adaptability in engagement strategies, especially in the face of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. Finding creative ways to reach and engage with community members, even when traditional methods are not feasible, is key to maintaining and building trust.

Conclusion

The session concludes with a reaffirmation of the importance of community engagement in transforming civic spaces. By building relationships, challenging traditional engagement methods, navigating power dynamics, and adapting to change, practitioners can foster trust, civic pride, and contribute to addressing societal challenges. The Transform Your Practice Community Engagement Card Deck serves as a valuable resource for those looking to enhance their engagement strategies and make a lasting impact in their communities.

For more information and to explore the Transform Your Practice Community Engagement Card Deck, visit Reimagining the Civic Commons.