By Nate Dolha
Published: Nov. 24, 2012
During this year’s Union of BC Municipalities conference, I kept my social media channels open, eager to hear the new, innovative ideas on tap to solve the woes facing communities right across this beautiful province.
I was delighted to see regular commentary from some of our elected representatives, but there was one missing voice.
That voice? Mayor Kirkham.
After a few light hearted jabs in morse code were passed around the twitterverse regarding this absence, I started to ponder the social media communication gap between our elected leader and our citizens
Is it a case of careful message management, or just a generation gap?
I looked at mayors from other communities who leverage these new media tools to share, promote, and inspire the communities they lead.
These mayors share their vision for their communities, and solicit meaningful feedback from their citizens in all conceivable ways; email, snail mail, tweets, wall posts, You Tube videos… You name it, and they’ll use it!
Calgary mayor, Naheed Nenshi, has made social media the backbone of his communication toolbox. Starting with the ‘Purple Revolution’, Naheed Nenshi turned to social media to mobilize the young voter and technocrats alike, and gave them a voice in a campaign centred around change.
Stunning the local establishment, Mr. Nenshi was successful in his campaign, and has remained a popular mayor.
It’s in part due to the way he engages Calgarians through all modes of communication, and his desire to have real conversations, not just good news reporting through traditional outlets.
Closer to home, Mayor Greg Moore of Port Coquitlam is very active with social media, and leverages these tools to further the interests of his home community, and of Metro Vancouver, where he acts as chair.
This year, Port Coquitlam was recognized by the UBCM for Best Practices in Social Media, and serves as a model for effective engagement through new media.
Squamish has a large commuter population, and as such, many of these citizens are unable to engage in the usual 9 to 5 mode for the myriad of committees working to better our community.
If we take a deeper look at these folks, we know that many are passionate about the community they live in, but are disenfranchised by a civic engagement model that relies on traditional media, ribbon cutting and feel good stories.
I have no doubt that our mayor is passionate about our community, and is working hard to address the issues we face.
To stand up as mayor, you have to be. But this is a changing world, and to be an effective leader today, you need to engage the citizens in the modes that make them comfortable, even if that means stepping out of your comfort zone.
Engage. Encourage. Inspire. We’re waiting…
Have feedback? I can be reached on twitter: @natedolha or by email: natedolha@gmail.com
Don Patrick says
Good job Rob… give the social media a few years as it seems to be a major gossip media at this time and could even mature to be the “fifth column” of this era. There are many that were not into pot from the 50’s to 70’s that will relate. One can be young and intellectual, but that does declare real awareness and leadership roles. Citizens seem to be able to say anthing without thinking when there is only an switch between the debaters. Only reason I would even respond to a mind challenge such as this article….nothing to do well waiting for nothing.
Nate Dolha says
I think calling social media users ‘The Fifth Column’ may be a bit of a stretch, especially considering 1/2 of Canadians (and 1 billion worldwide) are plugged in… I just don’t think people looking for a better way to communicate with their elected leaders would constitute an enemy from within…
Nate Dolha says
Here’s a great video (via social media) that lays out the reach of social media globally. Seems we’ve moved past fad…
http://youtu.be/QUCfFcchw1w
Don Patrick says
Well aware… just wondering if it will lead to our demise by deluting the wisdom that has accumulated over years…it is no mystery democracy works best with fewer debates and voices…. as many are not capable of participating in a reasonal manner, the door has been opened to all. Hang on for the ride of your life.
Spencer says
“but are disenfranchised by a civic engagement model that relies on traditional media, ribbon cutting and feel good stories.”
An interesting take on the traditional model of civic engagement. The surge in people using social media has not increased participation in elections, so may I argue that it can be used as a great marketing tool, not as a method to get more people actually involved in their community.
Jean says
Anti social networking… the new norm!!!! its not social networking anymore….
Einstein had a nice take on it….
“The day has arrived – Einstein said it and he was right…Albert Einstein:
“I fear the day when the technology overlaps with our humanity. The world will only have a generation of idiots.”
……..So much for tweeting and face book and the cell generation with one hand on the I phone and the other hand holding the smoke.