We’ve touched upon the critical importance of the community presentation and participation in other areas of our site. All too often, hired consultants shun direct engagement with the end users of their work…unfairly, leaving Board members and Property Managers to present and explain these sometimes controversial messages.
Volunteer boards simply do not have the time to respond to every single question, comment or concern from owners. Property managers often do not have the time or expertise to directly answer project or plan related problems. This communication breakdown is often the most trying part of any community action. At Community Planners, we take proactive measures to keep project information easily accessible and understood while engaging directly with community members during key phases of planning or project work.
Some of our tools:
- Community-wide surveys – paper or paperless.
- Unique presentations for Board meetings, Executive sessions, as well as larger Presentations and Q&A’s
- Online presentations that are remotely presented.
- Creation of dedicated, simple, and effective project websites…this includes unique project email addresses for owner use.
- Creation of dedicated query “hotlines” for projects.
When done correctly good communication helps build communities and strengthen bonds during important events. Done poorly, inadequate communication often leads to bad feelings, gossip, incorrect information and invariably project delays or additional costs.