Podcasts and news articles that Becky has featured in…
Community Conversations SA.
In this episode, we are joined by Becky Hirst, a community engagement expert to discuss the importance of people-centered approach in decision-making. We chat about why a people-centered approach is a must-have in government decision-making and discuss her book on community engagement, which offers a unique perspective on the topic.
This episode shines a light on the magic of face-to-face interactions over digital chats, bringing nonverbal cues into the spotlight. It's all about empathy, lending an ear, and working together when it comes to leadership. Becky also dives into the crucial topics of mental health, respect, and empathy in community engagement, recommending some handy self-awareness tools and setting some helpful ground rules.
All things community engagement with Becky Hirst.
When my very good friend Stephen Yarwood and I get together, I often wonder what would happen if someone was listening in as we talk and talk and talk and our conversations about cities, communities, life, politics, technology and the future are always so interesting!
So when he invited me to join himself and Greg Vann on their CitySpeakAustralia podcast, I was excited! Greg and Stephen are highly regarded leading urban planning commentators in Australia offering extensive national and international experience and networks in the urban planning and city governance industry.
Our chat includes -
> My backstory - personal and professional!
> A take-no-prisoners list of what I loathe in the world of community engagement
> My favourite tools & techniques
> Actively involved decision makers who listen - including the time Stephen was Lord Mayor and he was told at a community workshop to sit down, shut up, and listen… by Becky!
> The concept of keynote listening, deep listening and the joy of having a conversation
> Explaining dilemmas and finding the best way forward
> Giving a voice to the underdog
> Getting involved in your local community to help make the world a better place!
My favourite quote from the whole chat was former Adelaide Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood saying “I was never a politician. I did community leadership.” - I love this!
The Becky Hirst effect.
Hosted by Jensen PLUS Director Michael McKeown, along with urban design colleague and AILA SA president Daniel Bennett, each Adelaide (un)Planned episode features a conversation with a leading Adelaide thinker, leader, planner or designer, all selected for their opinions, insights, stories and their willingness to talk! This episode featured Becky to talk about community engagement.
Covid Conversations.
Becky Hirst, renowned Author and Global Community Engagement Thought Leader, spoke with Consultation Manager on engaging communities through a global pandemic and the future of hybrid engagement strategies.
In our first installment of the #CovidConversation series, Becky details how she learnt that the community is more than ready to engage online and that we must not be afraid of moving forward.
Public Consultation Designed on Community’s Terms.
The District Council of Yankalilla in South Australia gathered public input as they began planning for the community's future. Using a variety of community engagement methods and one central digital engagement platform, elected officials were able to make more informed decisions by including voices from across the community. Thanks to Bang the Table for recording this podcast with myself and Nigel Morris, Chief Executive Officer from the District Council of Yankalilla. Read more about this case study here.
What we cover:
Growth of internal buy-in and how elected members became more invested in community engagement
Engaging with youth
How utilising an external engagement facilitator affected the process and benefited community, council, and the engagement team
Making direct mail, social, traditional in-person, and digital engagement work together
How times and locations of community meetings helped drive higher attendance
Building trust and transparency
Adapting your engagement during Covid-19.
Dan Popping and the team behind the City of Onkaparinga’s Land Use Engagement project (Onkaparinga Looking Forward), discuss adaption strategies and practical tactics of how they successfully completed their engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What we cover:
How a genuine and authentic approach to informing residents improves resident comprehension
Organisational and internal adoption
Benefits of using a digital-first methodology, informing engagement strategies well beyond COVID-19
Increasing participation on your engagement site
How closing the loop improves the quality of resident feedback
Engagement and Video Etiquette.
Tips for Video Conferencing. Becky Hirst, Community Engagement Consultant from South Australia, joined the USA based Engaging Local Government Leaders podcast to talk about her work as a community engagement consultant and her e-book covering video conferencing etiquette. She discussed how she works with communities to inform the decision-makers by connecting with the community. She also shared the 10 tips for video conferencing in her e-book such as testing your equipment, rules of engagement, and how to minimize distractions during meetings.
