Involving the community

Below are some tips and considerations for involving the community in your event.

For more practical advice and information on community engagement, see the Engaging Queenslanders series of guides.

Tips for involving the community

Consider:

• What are the aims and objectives of consulting with the community?
• What do you need to reach agreement on or find out?
• What is the statement of intent?
• Why is the community being involved?
• What contribution can the community make?
• How will feedback be managed?

Who are the key participants that need to be involved?

Consider:

• Who will be affected if your project goes ahead?
• Who will benefit?
• What community resources are likely to be required?
• business people
• accommodation providers
• leisure/tourism industry providers
• citizens
• non-government organisations
• young people
• older people
• state and local government employees

How will involvement be encouraged?

Consider:

• presentations at meetings e.g. Rotary dinners, Chamber of Commerce breakfasts
• invitation letters to specific individuals/groups
• flyers in shopfronts, libraries and other public places
• announcements or segments on radio, television or print media
• email groups and discussion forums.

What are the best ways to consult and engage with people in the community?

Options include:

• focus groups
• public/community meetings, workshops and seminars
• online forums
• networks
• interviews
• community research
• door knocking
• phone calls
• displays in shopping centres
• stall at the local fete

What questions are people likely to ask?

Consider:

• Where will funding come from and will it be ongoing?
• Who is liable and is liability shared?
• Will holding this event bring an increase in crime to our area?
• Will lifestyles be affected by holding such an event?
• Will the media start taking more interest in the area in a negative way?

What if the community disagrees?

• You may need to do more research and undertake more community consultation.