How can you address tokenism in outreach efforts?

Recruiting locally (at all levels) plays a key role in fostering better relationships and understanding with the community; particularly in urban areas where diversity and societal challenges/issues are rife. One of the reasons why people may feel like community outreach is a tick-box exercise is due to having no connection with the organisation that plans to serve them. Therefore, investing in a dynamic and diverse skilled workforce that reflects the community will not only boost the reputation of the organisation but will unlock the path to creating positive sustainable changes.

Understanding your motivations is crucial before initiating an outreach project. Reflect on your goals, values, and what drives you. How do these align with the needs and aspirations of the communities you aim to engage? Ensure your intentions are genuine, not just for image enhancement or ticking off a checklist. Avoid exploiting the community for personal gain. Aim for authentic relationship-building, focusing on creating mutual benefits and fostering positive social change. This sincerity in purpose helps in establishing trust and respect with the community, leading to more effective and meaningful outreach. A clear and honest understanding of your 'why' is fundamental in guiding your actions and strategies.

?? Community outreach thrives when you know your 'why'! It's beyond token efforts—about authentic connections and making a real impact. Understanding your purpose drives genuine relationships and meaningful engagement. #KnowYourWhy #AuthenticConnections #CommunityImpact ??

Listening is a key tool. Listening is the gateway to understanding and building a foundation of trust. Are we really listening or just formulating our response as someone speaks? Being present is the present.

Internal focus groups are under appreciated. Many companies have champions in their organization that can offer an authentic and immediate response. Include them. They can serve as your test market while also being a part of the creation phase. People that work in your organization go home and are often a part of the community the business is trying to engage. Create the safe space for them to share candid feedback. They can also provide a sense of trust for the communities you are trying to connect with through outreach.

Effective outreach hinges on true collaboration and co-creation with the community. This approach involves working with people at every stage - from planning and designing to implementing and evaluating the project. It's about sharing power, resources, and decision-making, while valuing the community's expertise, creativity, and agency. To collaborate successfully, establish trust, maintain open communication, and ensure accountability. Co-create solutions with the community, ensuring they are relevant, appropriate, and sustainable. This participatory approach not only empowers the community but also leads to more effective and enduring outcomes, as solutions are directly informed by those who will benefit from them.

Provide genuine representation. Genuine representation will ensure that members of marginalized communities have equal opportunities to participate in outreach efforts and decision-making processes. This includes providing them with leadership roles, decision-making powers, and platforms to express their views and concerns.

Training and capacity-building: Provide training and resources to both outreach staff and community members to build understanding and awareness about issues related to tokenism. Equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to challenge tokenistic practices and promote genuine inclusivity.