How can you make feedback more meaningful to community members?

Acknowledging and appreciating feedback from community members is crucial for fostering engagement and building trust. Why Acknowledging and Appreciating Feedback Matters: 1. Builds Trust: When community members see that their feedback is acknowledged, they're more likely to trust the organization, fostering a sense of loyalty. 2. Encourages Participation: The act of appreciating feedback can serve as a motivating factor for continued involvement from community members. 3. Reinforces a Positive Feedback Loop: Acknowledgment can create a positive cycle where community members are incentivized to offer more constructive feedback in the future.

Start with acknowledging them for their efforts and time. Appreciate their involvement and willingness to help improve the process or service. Frame feedback as an opportunity for everyone to grow together, not just correction exercise. The tone should be collaborative and empathetic. The community must have faith in sharing the feedback. This makes members feel seen, valued and heard.

We are all human and beings in need of assertation and encouragement. Many of us feel often that our point of view is not taken into consideration, knowing that each and every one has a meaningful input to add to the environment. Including people in our decisions is hard, but is very valued and highly recommended. The challenge resides in having a balance of including and yet deciding on the best interest of all.

Appreciation for community feedback must be given several times over: 1) Before they provide feedback, tell them how helpful their feedback will be for the project, ensuring that their needs and wants will be heard and will be used to guide the program and solutions. Afterall, you can not successfully deliver the program without their feedback. 2) While announcing the program, publically thank the community who provided the feedback. If possible, invite them to the presentation so that they can see how their feedback is being implemented into action. 3) After the program has become successful, include them in the celebration, thanking them for their contributions and guidance.

One way I have applied this professionally is by sending personalized video messages to community members who provide feedback. Instead of a generic thank-you email, I recorded short videos expressing gratitude and addressing their specific suggestions. This personal touch not only made the acknowledgment more meaningful but also demonstrated a genuine commitment to their input. For instance, I recall a situation where a community member had shared a detailed improvement idea for our project. In my video message, I not only thanked them but also shared how their suggestion was being considered and implemented, which led to an increased sense of involvement and enthusiasm within the community.

Use feedback to ensure that the program meets community needs and mitigates barriers. E.g., if you are planning an afterschool program, ask students what type of activities best peak their interest. Also, ask parents for suggestions and potential barriers. If they state transportation is an issue, perhaps providing a later bus home for students would encourage participation. Throughout the program, continue to ask for feedback to ensure that the program is still meeting community needs. This is important - feedback helps to give meaning to data. Analyze the feedback while crossreferencing program data to identify program strengths as well as areas for improvement. Never stop asking for feedback - there is always room for growth!

At a community-focused event I organized, we introduced a concept called "Feedback Time Capsules." We asked community members to provide feedback and suggestions for the future. Instead of immediate action, we archived this feedback and revisited it a year later. This allowed us to showcase the progress made based on their feedback and demonstrate that we valued their long-term input. It created a sense of anticipation and curiosity within the community and reinforced our commitment to continuous improvement.

Turning feedback into action is the key. Analyze to identify trends, then implement changes. This shows commitment and drives project improvement.

After analyzing feedback, using methods shared above, share how the feedback was helpful. Tell how the feedback was utilized and what changes, if any, came about because of the feedback received. Request further feedback on the outcome. Always be transparent to build trust.

As we analyze, always remember the humans behind the numbers, and the voiceless. Don't overweight quantitative data as qualitative always has its own story to tell and dimension to add. Like a painter using different brush strokes and colors, we must strive for a blend of qualitative and quantitative perspectives to paint the fullest picture.

While you are asking for their initial feedback when first planning your program, invite community members who will be impacted by the program to become members of a program committee. This will ensure that the voice of the community is present throughout planning, implementation, and evaluation. This approach is a best practice, as it will: 1) Secure more buy-in of the community into the program since they are then actually helping to lead the program; 2) Provide more immediate feedback/guidance when facing unexpected challenges or new needs of the community being served; and 3) A larger impact as more will become involved as they see their fellow community members helping to lead the programs.

Building trust is key here. If you have no credibility no one cares what you have to say. Creating a connection and adding value to a topic is key. Research topics with various credible references and trusted statistics. As time goes buy, a perspective is anticipated by the public. It’s consistency will start to build the trust. Unfortunately history shows us that a false statement repeated over and over again begins to be perceived as reality.

One time at work, we were running an educational program for underprivileged youth, and we wanted to ensure that the curriculum resonated with the students. Instead of relying solely on surveys, we invited a group of students to become part of an advisory board. They attended regular meetings where we discussed program improvements and jointly developed engaging content. This not only gave them a voice but also made them feel like active contributors to their own education.

Communicating by coming back around is crucial! Depending on whether the community member wants to be publicly acknowledged, you can say because of Maria's idea we were able to reach our recruitment number and provide more solid results back to the community. If they don't want to be acknowledged publicly, you can just say because of feedback from the community, we put this policy into action or made this change and it caused this result! They will be happy you're taking their comments and suggestions into account when you can.

Communication and collaboration for me is more than just receiving input but engaging in a genuine dialogue. A way to achieve this is by openly sharing our feedback analysis results and outlining how we intend to use the valuable insights provided. Beyond that, it's about inviting the community to actively participate in shaping our projects. Using diverse communication channels—newsletters, blogs, webinars, or simply sitting down for a chat—we create spaces for collaboration and co-creation. It's a way of saying, "Your voice matters, and value your perspective." In this mutual exchange, we not only show respect for their opinions but also build a foundation of trust and enduring relationships.

In the journey towards impactful feedback, the fourth step is close to my heart. Customizing and diversifying our feedback methods and strategies is akin to speaking someone's language. It's about understanding what resonates with different segments of our audience—their unique preferences and circumstances. As we blend the art of qualitative and quantitative method (interviews, surveys, and observations) we're creating a tapestry of insights. We also embrace varied feedback delivery modes—online, offline, or mobile—ensuring we meet people where they are, making feedback inclusive and easily accessible. It's a genuine effort to honor individuality. It is a way to weave a strong fabric of understanding and growth.

Regular Feedback Channels: Establish regular channels for feedback, such as surveys, community meetings, or suggestion boxes. Consistency in seeking feedback makes community members feel heard and respected. Feedback Loop: Close the feedback loop by providing updates on actions taken as a result of feedback. Let the community know how their input has influenced decisions and outcomes. Timely Response: Respond to feedback in a timely manner. Prompt acknowledgment of feedback shows that you prioritize community input and are committed to addressing their concerns promptly.

One time at work, we were conducting a community engagement initiative in a rural area with limited internet access. To ensure inclusivity, we provided offline feedback forms that residents could fill out and drop in designated collection boxes. Additionally, we employed local community liaisons who conducted face-to-face interviews, bridging the digital divide. This approach not only respected the unique context but also empowered those without online access to share their thoughts.

When community members provide feedback to you about a program/services, they are entrusting you with their needs, concerns, and hopes. Thus, follow-up is critical. It shows that you care, that you have heard their voices, and that their faith in you and the program (by providing the feedback) was well worth the time and effort. This is especially true for underrepresented populations who often feel that their voice is not really heard. Demonstrate to them that their feedback is indeed being used for developing the program/services. Then, invite more feedback to ensure that what you are planning actually did incorporate their feedback. Also, if there is an element that you could not include, due to lack of funds, etc., be transparent.

Utilizing structured feedback loops, such as post-service surveys, allows precise measurement of project impact and satisfaction. For example, a healthcare organization could improve care quality by employing patient satisfaction surveys. These strategies, coupled with maintaining a friendly and constructive feedback relationship, demonstrate genuine concern for their opinions and cultivate a lasting, mutually beneficial partnership.

At a tech company, we implemented a feedback-driven innovation program. We allowed customers to submit product improvement ideas and tracked the progress of these suggestions on a public dashboard. When an idea reached a certain level of support from the community, it triggered a dedicated project team to work on it. This not only showcased our commitment to customer-driven innovation but also created a sense of anticipation and excitement among our user base.

Too often, program celebrations are ABOUT community members without really including them. This can happen when celebrations are used as a fundraiser, public relations event, etc. But, it is equally important to hold a celebration WITH community members who provided initial and/or on-going feedback, program participants, etc. For a program to have sustainability, the community must continue to see the program as worthy - as a benefit to them. The easiest way to do that is to share the triumphs of the program - to show the impact that they helped to bring about by entrusting you with the feedback that was used to develp and improve the program.

Express Gratitude: Always express gratitude for the feedback received. Thank community members for taking the time to share their thoughts and for helping to improve the community. Acknowledge the Source: When implementing feedback, acknowledge the source or individual who provided it. Giving credit where it's due not only recognizes the community member's contribution but also encourages more feedback in the future.

"Nothing about us, without us." By uplifting the contributors as well as the content, we create inspiration for continued input and collaboration. Communities do not need to be saved, they need to be respected and heard. That attitude shift comes from how we treat the people who have contributed their ideas and energy in the first place.

Feedback doesn't always have to be an interview or survey. Sometimes it's a focus group and sometimes it just a conversation with someone who shares something with you. Always let then know appreciate their feedback, even if you can't implement it for one reason or another. If you're able, you might even share that with them. I love that idea, but unfortunately we don't have the budget for that until next year.

In my experience engaging in continued dialogue is very important. Actively engaging in conversations with community members to gain a deeper understanding of their feedback will add a depth to the meaningful contributions they have provided. This may involve follow-up questions, seeking clarification, and having a back-and-forth discussion. This helps uncover insights that may not have been originally articulated by the community member.

In 45 years I have found that the people have great ideas they just don't know how to achieve them, like many others within the community. So definitely get input from everyone. This way you will find you might have a committee that all think alike. Take what they give you and form an event or program. The ones that had the input could be the committee that will be working on the project, because they are the most passionate. Take your knowledge and the knowledge of the many who spoke up and pull a program together. They need to feel important not just for their ideas but what they have to give to the project. With ideas, excitement, acknowledgement, support, passion, and coming together for a cause, you now have your project/program.