City of Victoria Public Engagement Forum – More than Ideas
Engagement
In an emerging Web 2.0 world how will technology change the conversation between voters, stakeholders and government? Can government keep up with the amazing growth of online social networks – Facebook, Twitter and what about the new Google Wave? What about community organizations or wisdom councils working with elected officials and staff?
These questions and more are part of the City of Victoria’s Engaging Victoria program – with a Public Forum held at the Victoria Conference Centre on Wednesday October 28th as a face to face event for citizens to voice opinions and ideas.
This is a first for any municipality in British Columbia. While Vancouver and Nanaimo are ahead in implementation of technology (like video streaming of council meetings), and Vancouver especially has a program for the ideal of open information streaming, it is through the leadership of Katie Josephson, the City of Victoria Communications Director, with councilor Sonya Chandler, who have created an engagement format, about engagement. Providing numerous settings – online and off, for local Victorians to make suggestions and preferences. In essence – one ideal does not fit all communities. It should be up to the local voters and stakeholders to decide the priorities on any new engagement strategy.
The plan is to take feedback up to November 9th, create a report to City Council – and have a priority list for action early in 2010. This will include a new website for www.victoria.ca – use of online social media platforms, and policies for staff and elected officials.
The Public Forum was interesting. Display boards had tables with sticky posts for visitors to note responses and ideas, or vote for priorities. There was a special table for conversations, a children’s play table right in the centre and a variety of opportunities to talk with city staff.