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�ssue Brief GOVERNING <br /> �-�� - - � � _,� ; . <br /> Improving Citizen Trust in Local Government <br /> How online tools spur communication, improve transparency and boost accauntability <br /> Like corporaUons, rnany Iocal communities are working effecUve job of announcing upcoming meetings. Too many <br /> to build positive brands A great brand acts like a magnet, citizens simply don't get the message. <br /> attracting dyr�amic businesses, visitors and engaged citizens Manual processes also make it hard and expensive to <br /> that make a community thrive communicate with citizens Agency staff may spend hours <br /> One important way to build a comm�rnty's brand is through preparing agendas, mmutes and supporting documents. <br /> a str��tegy based on trust.A city or county that gams a reputa- After a meet�ng,they spend more t�me—and money—field- <br /> t�on for commun�cations transparency and accountab�liiy— ing requests for those documents and then mak�ng copies, <br /> �.nd for serving 1he needs of its businesses and res�dents— collatmg and dlstributing them <br /> w�ll f our�sh wrth at��ens who are used to access�ng infonnation Most elected off�c�als and government employees want to <br /> anyt�me,anywhere on a mob�le dev�ce help improve constit�ents lives,and many cit�zens are eager <br /> Legislat�ve meet�ngs have traditionally provided an�mportant to engage with them The trick to nurturing that relationship, <br /> opportunity for communities to build trust CitiZens who attend without inc�rring undue expense, is for governments to <br /> the meetings of their council or commissions quickly leam how prov�de tools that sireamlme the process, allowing employees <br /> the�r government is working on their behalf If they're invested to create and manage legislative mformation digitally and <br /> in particular issues,citizens can make their voices heard and share via channels that today's connected citizens are already <br /> understand their representatives' position. using—the Web, social media and email <br /> However, busy schedules, lack of ch�ld care or trans- <br /> portat�on, fears about traveling after dark and other factors Here's how m�nicipalities can put those channels to work: <br /> can keep citizens o�t of the legislative process and thwart Advance notice: Uovernment agenc�es can use email <br /> their efforts to stay informed Additionally, citizens who don't and soc�al media to promote upcominy meetings and <br /> �ttend meeUngs but want to follow the discussion m,�st ens�ire the informat�on reaches a broad cross section of the <br /> request ���nutes and other documents after the fact When population Govemment employees may also use a special <br /> those documents only exist in hard copy,obtaining them can kind of software—a legislative management solution—to <br /> be slow and cumbersome for the citizen and labor-intensive publish agendas and supporting documents online, with <br /> and costly for government Constit�ents shouldn't have to access available through a public portal. The same portal <br /> str�ggle to join the dialogue on issues that affect their lives. can provide information about special boards and com- <br /> But too often,thaYs exactly what happens missions and allow potential vol�anteers to apply onlme for <br /> F�or governments to really gain trust,opportuniUes for citizen seats on those bod�es. <br /> engagement must extend beyond the comments per�od at Online access to meetings:Qy streammg v�deo of p�bhc <br /> p�iblic meetings Crty and counry of'icials need to provide meetings hve on the Internet,a government allows anyone to watch <br /> rnodern, cost-effective options thal increase transparency 2nd the proceedings from any locaiion,on a comp�ter,tablet or smart- <br /> enco�rage citizen participat�on and engagement phone People no longer need io travel to C�ty Hall to engage�n the <br /> legislat�ve process—technology bnngs C�ty Hall to them <br /> Communieations and 7rust-Building Tools Making and sharing the record:ComprehFnsive soft- <br /> Governments that rely on manual processes to manage ware solutions allow clerks io easily capture meeting min�tes <br /> and p�blic�ze meeUngs have a hard time building tr,�st among electronically and index them Viewers can click on an agenda <br /> constituents The f�rst problem is that signs, newspaper item and �mmediately watch that part of the meeting instead <br /> not�ces, bullet�n boards and word of mouth don't do an o(scannmg thro�gh hours of video Through the public portal, <br />