“Friending” advice for Council

Politicians are not generally early adopters of new technologies, however when they do, and they get it right, it can yield incredible results. With an informal opening of “Good evening Friends” a depression stricken nation tuned in their radios to listen to Roosevelt’s fireside chats. It’s hard today to imagine that a radio address was a big advancement; however at the time the ability to speak directly to citizens provided hope, reassurance, transparency and leadership which when scaled to a national level was unprecedented. This small technological step was in fact a phenomenal leap forward in the modernization of government. Radio, and later Television gave citizens a means to both hear directly from their leaders and know them a little more intimately; yet these mediums still only enable one way communications. Broadcasts do not enable actual interactive “chats”.

During the municipal election many candidates gave Social Media a try yet it was largely underutilized. Most councilors stuck with tried-and-true methods such as door knocking. While face to face interaction can never be replaced by online methods, there is a place and a purpose for both. It is in knowing that purpose and acting with purpose that will yield the results that Councilors need and constituents deserve. In conversation with Mayor Friel during our Editorial Board roundtable last week, he assured me that he will encourage City Hall and Council to embrace new technologies and modernize our municipal government. He also agreed that there is an opportunity to enhance, innovate and rewire the local political operating system for the next generation of constituents and politicians and that perhaps it’s time for Council to “friend” it’s constituents.

It can be a little scary to take that first step online and I would therefore like to humbly offer to our new Council some friendly and “friending” advice to help them get started:

Don’t accept the status quo: If you were given the opportunity to speak with hundreds, possibly thousands of your constituents simultaneously and have immediate feedback on any issue or question that would help you make better informed and quality decisions would you not take it? Framed this way, it’s difficult to argue that there isn’t any time for Social Media. Invest your time where your constituents are whether that’s at the Farmer’s market on Saturday morning, the Civic Centre for a hockey game or Facebook.

Leverage passion: Don’t just tell your story online, connect with and enable like-minded people that are passionate about the things that matter most to our community. Imagine a vast untapped talent-pool of individuals and groups who can help you deal with every conceivable problem that we collectively face. It already exists, now go make use of it.

Show interest, be authentic and listen: Remember, it’s not all about you.

Be yourself: Talk about what interests you. Share as much of your personality and personal life as you feel comfortable with. But please no press releases, no canned political messages and also keep in mind we really don’t need to know what you had for breakfast.

Don’t just follow, lead: Influence online is a function of the consistency and quality of your content and interactions. It’s who you are and what value you bring to the greater community that will determine your success.

There exists today an unprecedented opportunity for leaders to make a significant impact for our community online and it may even help you get re-elected in 2014. My final advice would be to seize this opportunity, take action and lead the way.

Kevin Magee is a 2.0 Citizen, Capitalist, Community Builder and member of the Expositor’s Community Editorial Board. You can find him online at www.kevinmagee.com or on Twitter @kevinamagee