Presentation on using social media to enhance civic engagement in government

2. Hi. I’m Yasmin. I solve public
problems through digital technology,
with a focus on human experience.
School:
– Harvard Kennedy School, M.P.P Public Policy (How U.S.
Federal Agencies can Use Social Media to Enhance Civic
Participation)
– Grassroots Organizing Training Program
– Cornell University, B.A. Political Philosophy
Work:
– New York City Department of Education
– Founder: BYO consulting
– Blogger: BYO projects
Passions:
– Gov2.0, civic engagement, user experience, business design

3. BYO consulting
A strategy consultancy
Using design & tech
To make the world a
better place.

4. We have some awesome clients and partners:"
Prepared by BYO consulting LLC 2011 4

5. Engagement vs. Relationships
Government -- > People* (service delivery)
People -- > Government (civic action)
People < -- > People (social innovation)
Government < -- > Government (diplomacy)
Government < -- > People* (co-production)

6. Engagement vs. Relationships
Government -- > People (service delivery)
People -- > Government (civic action)
People < -- > People (social innovation)
Government < -- > Government (diplomacy)
Government < -- > People* (co-production)

7. Engagement vs. Relationships
Government -- > People* (service delivery)
People -- > Government (civic action)
People < -- > People (social innovation)
Government < -- > Government (diplomacy)
Government < -- > People* (co-production)

8. Engagement vs. Relationships
Government -- > People* (service delivery)
People -- > Government (civic action)
People < -- > People (social innovation)
Government < -- > Government (diplomacy)
Government < -- > People* (co-production)

9. Engagement vs. Relationships
Government -- > People* (service delivery)
People -- > Government (civic action)
People < -- > People (social innovation)
Government < -- > Government (diplomacy)
Government < -- > People* (co-production)

10. Engagement vs. Relationships
Government -- > People* (service delivery)
People -- > Government (civic action)
People < -- > People (social innovation)
Government < -- > Government (diplomacy)
Government < -- > People* (co-production)

11. How Government Agencies can Use
Social Media to Enhance Civic
Participation
by Yasmin Fodil & Anna York

12. 1. Increased capacity of society to solve problems /
participants ability to contribute to common good
(social capital)
1.
INCREASED
CAPACITY
WHY INCREASE 2. Support:
CIVIC legitimacy of
ENGAGEMENT? public
3. Public decisions or
Value: bi-partisan
better support for
3. PUBLIC 2.
and/or VALUE SUPPORT policy
fairer solutions
decisions

13. 1. Increased capacity of society to solve
problems / participants ability to contribute to
common good (social capital)
1.
INCREASED
CAPACITY
WHY INCREASE 2. Support:
CIVIC legitimacy of
ENGAGEMENT? public
3. Public decisions or
Value: bi-partisan
better support for
3. PUBLIC 2.
and/or VALUE SUPPORT policy
fairer solutions
decisions

14. 1. Increased capacity of society to solve problems /
participants ability to contribute to common good
(social capital)
1.
INCREASED
CAPACITY
WHY INCREASE 2. Support:
CIVIC legitimacy
ENGAGEMENT? of public
3. Public
Value: decisions or
better bi-partisan
3. PUBLIC 2.
and/or support for
VALUE SUPPORT
fairer policy
decisions solutions

15. 1. Increased capacity of society to solve problems /
participants ability to contribute to common good
(social capital)
1.
INCREASED
CAPACITY
WHY INCREASE 2. Support:
CIVIC legitimacy of
ENGAGEMENT? public
3. Public decisions or
Value: bi-partisan
better 3. PUBLIC 2. support for
and/or VALUE SUPPORT policy
fairer solutions
decisions

16. Engagement is expensive and time consuming
(opportunity costs)

17. Assumptions regarding motivation and capability are
dangerous

18. Potential to exacerbate conflict

19. Sherry Arnstein, 1969
Ladder of Participation

20. Key findings: Citizen-centered
framework
Citizen-centered framework behind a successful social media engagement
project:
Digital literacy System Online strategy is
and issue driven by
investment lower Agency engagement
barriers to entry Projects goals
Citizen
Value components
Engagement is
Systemic
integrated into
conditions create
organization
the context for
structure and
engagement
culture
Our findings suggest that actions in each of these four elements is needed for success

21. Systemic conditions create the context for
engagement
Issue of executive level directives
• Transparency Memo, Open Gov Directive (US)
• Power of Information (UK)
• NYC Chief Digital Officer
Removal of legal and access barriers
• Procurement and other contract agreements
• Security agreements, access policy

22. Engagement is integrated into org structure
and culture
Committed leaders and individuals
• Explicit senior leadership priority
• Motivated individuals across organization
• Personal experience with technology and tools
Agency structure and culture reflects integrated
engagement practices
• Cross functional teams to develop and implement
engagement projects
• Development of both technical and engagement capacity

23. Online strategy is driven by engagement
goals
• Well defined engagement objectives that further
mission goals
• Technical tools that follow from engagement
objectives
• Capacity for agencies to respond to and/or
incorporate citizen contributions & feedback

24. Digital literacy and issue investment lower
barriers to entry
Baseline level of digital literacy (and access)
Fostering interest and trust
• Issue investment/resonance
• Understanding of citizen priorities and interests
• Well developed citizen-agency relationships
Match between citizen capacity/interest and complexity of
issues

25. Deepening Engagement
Institutional Actions
Sharing Soliciting Co-Designing Devolving Authority
Level of Engagement
Listening Sharing Co-Designing Making Decisions
Audience Reactions

26. Questions to ask yourself before engaging with
residents…
1. What are you asking people to do?
2. What do you need to do in response?
3. How deep and wide is your engagement?
4. Is it meaningful enough to justify the opportunity costs
for residents?
5. How do you connect to this work? What is your story?
1. Why you?
2. Why us?
3. Why now?