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At CIPS, we know and understand the Indigenous Engagement process. With over 50 years of combined experience in the Indigenous Engagement and Awareness field, our Indigenous led teams implement and use proven engagement strategies to yield the best results.
Today, I am going to outline 5 steps that CIPS incorporates into it's Indigenous Engagement models to elicit high engagement responses. This model represents one of various Indigenous Engagement methods that CIPS uses to improve engagement response rates and ultimately, bottom line results.
Step 1: Inform
The Goal: To provide community members with balanced and objective information that will assist them in making an informed decision.
The Style: "Here's what's happening"
The following techniques can be used to INFORM.
Websites
Videos
Infographics
Social media
Advertising - paid ads on radio, newspaper, TV, or online
Media Coverage - earned media - free media traction via press releases, news conference, etc.,
Printed Collateral - newsletters, letters, posters, fact sheets, brochures, reports, etc.,
Presentations / Livestreaming
Expert panels
Displays / Exhibits - set up at community events
Public meetings
Step 2: Consult
The Goal: To obtain community member's feedback on analysis, alternatives, and/or decisions.
The Style: "Here are some options, what do you think?"
The following techniques can be used to CONSULT.
Polls
Voting
Surveys
Interviews
Workshops
Focus Groups
Online Forums
Social Media Listening
Virtual Discussion / Town Halls
Door-To-Door
Step 3: Involve
The Goal: To work directly with community members throughout the process to ensure that their concerns and ideas are consistently understood.
The Style: "Here's the challenge, what ideas to you have?"
The following techniques can be used to INVOLVE.
Community Mapping or Mind Mapping
Digital Storytelling - multimedia movies that combine photographs, videos, sounds, music, text, and a narrative voice
Visioning
Citizens' Panel - a group of people who are representative of the community that are surveyed from time to time
Step 4: Collaborate
The Goal: To work closely with community members in each aspect of the project.
The Style: "Let's work together"
The following techniques can be used to COLLABORATE.
Large Group Meetings
Document Co-Creation - allow community members to collaborate in real time on a project
Open Space Meetings
Working Groups / Study Circles
Step 5: Empower
The Goal: Shared leadership of the community-led project with final decision-making at the community level.
The Style: "What are the next steps we can take?"
The following techniques can be used to EMPOWER.
Decision-making platform
Citizen Committees - community members can share ideas and have a voice in the decision-making process
Community Indicator Projects - community members discuss what's important, what's working, and what's not working
Asset-based Community Development
5 Steps to Meaningful Community Engagement:
Inform
Involve
Collaborate
Empower
Does your organization or business need help with Indigenous Engagement and Awareness? CIPS has over 50 years combined experience in the Indigenous Awareness and Engagement field with proven techniques and methods. To find out more, please call us at: (705) 657-1126 or email at spirit@indigenousaware.com To chat directly with our CEO, Mike Jacobs via Zoom, please book an appointment for a consultation at: https://go.oncehub.com/MikeJacobs
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