How can you identify emerging issues and opportunities for community organizing through public engagement?

Definir los indicadores es clave lo cual nos permitirá evaluar y medir el cumplimiento de objetivos. Hay herramientas sencillas como el FODA que nos permiten realizar un análisis de la organización teniendo en cuenta el contexto actual y las vicisitudes para que la detección de oportunidades sea acorde a la realidad actual de la organización y la comunidad. También hay que poder correlacionar los objetivos con los valores de la organización y los alcances de los mismos en la comunidad planificando la estrategia e impacto.

Establishing the goals and indicators should not be a solo endeavor. In order to have a successful public engagement activity where you gain critical feedback and support for any determined action, create a committee responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating. The committee can include staff, and it would be more impactful to also include community leaders, clients , and others outside of the organization. This proactive and inclusive method fosters community support and ensures that actions taken are well-informed and representative of diverse interests.

Las entrevistas, observaciones directas, grupos focales son herramientas que nos permiten recolectar datos de manera sencilla. Más allá de la técnica específica que elijamos (acorde a las singularidades de la organización comunitaria) debemos comprender que las necesidades deben ser pensadas y detectadas desde la comunidad, comprender en profundidad con las personas que están involucradas escuchando activamente teniendo en cuenta sesgos o variables que puedan estar interviniendo en el análisis e interpretación de datos.

The emphasis on teamwork, partnerships, audience interaction, and engagement with relevant stakeholders is crucial for the success of any public initiative. Effective communication is the bedrock of this process. It ensures that information, insights, and feedback flow seamlessly among all parties involved. Moreover, open and transparent communication builds trust and rapport, which are essential for sustaining long-term relationships and fostering a supportive environment. Collaboration leverages the collective strengths, resources, and networks of each participant. By pooling diverse perspectives and skills, the initiative becomes more robust and adaptable to changing circumstances.

The main reason that politicians are not trusted and the gen.pop has lost interest in civic responsibility but would rather claim a tribe is because, most politicians have lost touch with the reality that their constituents face on a daily, check to check basis. If you haven't felt the sting of inflation (price gauging)or been the victim of a crime, or actually interacted with the public then how can you represent them. Our jobs as organizers is to work ourselves out of work, by engaging, training and educating our people and maintaining those relationships so that they can carry forth the issue on their own.

La adaptación es fundamental. Pensarlo como un proceso y no un fin en sí mismo. Proceso cambiante y dinámico por ende hay que ajustar la estrategia y acciones a las singularidad y contexto actual organizativa teniendo en cuenta los aportes de los miembros comunitarios, y utilizando grupos de intercambio y debate donde la participación sea activa.

Consider ways in which communities and partners are consistently engaged and a part of decision-making. This could be through establishing a Community Advisory Board or Council that includes representation from community, partners, clients, political officials (e.g. city councilor) and other key voices. Hence, this will support organizations and leaders in always being "in the know". Then other mechanisms for public engagement will help to deepen understandings and develop interventions or solutions.