Community Engagement

Community Engagement Tips

  • Just show up. Honestly, just being there counts, but keep going back. Even if it seems like no one cares at first, they will notice consistent behavior
  • Walk the talk. Be honest and stick to your word. Trust is like a bank account, you build it up over time and remember it can be drained easily.
  • Act with respect. You are in someone’s community with unique customs, traditions and culture. You are expected to fit in, not the other way around.
  • Have fun. Each community is different, full of great people and offers the opportunity to get to know a new place and its people. Successful local community engagement can be tough at times but can be a great experience.
  • Be innovative and creative. Each community is unique and textbook solutions not always the best.
  • Listen. People will, without being direct, let you know what the community wants or needs. They know, so listen.
  • Spend time in the community. Its hard to come up with solutions or find ways to work together if you are never there. Just be there, have lunch, grab a coffee.
  • Spend money locally. Its important to ensure benefits are flowing from your operations. From local contracts to a hotel stay to local arts, it’s all important.
  • Sponsorship. Be selective on sponsorship, staying out of political and social issues likely the best plan. If money is tight try to find events and methods of sponsorship that reach the broad community.
  • Expect challenges. Nothing is easy and bringing in a new project can be challenging. Take your time, allow for all input, positive or negative. Sometimes your biggest opponent becomes an ally, sometimes it never happens.
  • Stay positive. At times it is challenging and not everyone will want you or your project. Find ways to benefit the community and keep trying.
  • Speak to people in their language. Find a way to speak to your audience in a way that works for them. Try to learn some of the local language, the effort is appreciated.
  • Visuals work. Pictures and graphics work to help people better understand. Successful communication means the receiver of the message understands the message. Try to think of what someone who isn’t a geologist or engineer might need to know.

My opinions are my own.

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