Outreach - Who's Job is it Anyways?

Seems fairly reasonable to assume that once the outreach chair is elected or appointed the responsibility falls squarely on them to make things happen. That is a very short sighted view point.

The responsibility is actually shared. The outreach chair is more of a collector and distributor of information. The chair relies on every committee member to do their job and a little bit of outreach too. Those speaker cards, at every committee meeting, belong to the outreach chair. So copy them, and send them over to the outreach chair.

Now if you designed those speaker cards right it should provide a lot of information.
The basic contact information. An explanation of how they can provide further comments. An inquiry as to how they heard about the meeting; email, e-zine, posting, newsletter, letter, word of mouth or other. Provide an opportunity to join committees, neighborhood watch, CERT training, or as a board member.

Don't just rely on one source of contact. Not every one likes to speak. So have a sign in sheet as well. Give non speakers the same opportunity to participate. Be willing to change design elements, and sharpen your image by adding logos.

Now if each chair sends you sign in sheets and speaker cards, you are well on your way to increasing your database of contacts for your e-zine and email blasts.

The other committee chairs still have more work to do for the outreach chair. Let's talk about how they greet the public at meetings. They don't? Houston we have a problem! Why would someone offer to serve on a board or join a committee when they aren't given the time of day by board members. Right now we are talking basic courtesy.

Outreach is about gathering potential election candidates year round too.

Let's talk about board dynamics. Do you appear to resolving problems and having elevated discussions and debates or battling each other in a power struggle oblivious to the impact on others? Where is the win in that? To win the battle but lose the kingdom is no victory at all. Why would anyone sign up to be part of a dysfunctional board?

Question; How many board members do you have? Times that number by how many stakeholders live in each of their neighborhoods. They have easy access to stakeholders, and they should help you have access to them too.

Who should be writing articles for the websites and e-zines? Not just the outreach chair or committee. Engage the board and even stakeholders. Experiment with content! Yes, you want to provide developing city hall issues, even county is relevant, but your committee chairs should be able to provide neighborhood council content. Local events are crowd pleasers.

This is all about working smarter not harder.

You will find that even the most business savvy board members need reminding that their neighborhood council is a product and service provider and each member is part of the image. Try to be patient, and stay focused on the goal.

Share some of your successes with outreach!

Activating Inactive Board Members

Neighborhood council elections begin with reviewing and updating our bylaws and election procedures. Often our focus is on correcting the biggest issue boards face: the dead weight of non productive board members. We look forward to replacing the idle ones with productive members. But there is no guarantee that will happen.

I often wonder why stakeholders run for office when they do not want to contribute. But I have never asked one why. It seems rude to look a gift horse in mouth. Yet, are they a gift horse? I have asked a few idle ones to join my committee, and some say yes, but never attend. Some say no, they are "too busy". I am left wondering what they are too busy doing. Avoiding responsibility? Sounds harsh, but is it?

I understand being too busy. I run a business, take care of my grandchildren which includes hours of chauffering, homework, sports and I take care of my home. The volunteer time as an elected neighborhood council member has really replaced all my leisure time. I knew that I was giving up my leisure time when I ran. Of course my husband didn't but that's another story.

So the question is: How do we activiate inactive board members?

They are intersted in the cause, just not committed to it. Their very lack of commitment creates a lack of utilization. And that cycle continues through out their term. Should we require that newly elected board members commit a minimum amount of time to participating in neighborhood council meetings, events, etc? Does any other NC require this? Has that requirement eliminated the problem? Has it reduced candidate participation? Let me hear from you so we can all learn from it.

How many calls to action do you need?

Every blue moon the stars align and the right thing is said at the right time creating a shift in direction, belief, or awareness. It seems to be the nature of man to simply wait for these pivotal moments. Even leaders seem to wait for signs and wait for someone else to lead the way. I find that ironic.

This need for synchronicity of words hinged on events seems to be a whole lot of waiting and a lot of missed opportunities.

Having participated in the neighborhood council system for the last five years, I know so many well intended, smart people who continue to tap politely at the door of City Hall and when given a cold shoulder they simply exit stage right. It's almost as if the collective mindset of neighborhood councils is suffering low self esteem.

Yet neighborhood councils seem to have a firm grip on common sense when attempting to resolve City made issues. We are needed. We are capable.

So what are we waiting for?

The City Council has not committed it's heart to the neighborhood council system. So why have we committed ours to them? Why seek their approval? Why dull our tongues? Why not hold them accountable?

We have to find our voice! We must act as one.

Now is the moment to join the call to action. No trumpets must blare, nor sky's must part. City Council Members attempt to decimate the neighborhood council system by slashing our funding was the only sign I needed. One sign was enough.

WE ARE ONE! ACT AS ONE!