Can Civic Associations Remain Faceless?
Dec 31st, 2009 by Johan
Organizations thrive on their ability to allow individuals to remain faceless. It permits them to act badly, not in the interest of their customers [constituency]. Seth Godin
I cannot agree more with Seth. Although Seth aimed this at business the same is true for any organization that represent the public or community like civic associations.
More than two years ago I joined the local civic association’s exec to see if I can add some value. My aim was to observe and then introduce new and open ways to communicate. Nothing more than that. I was excited, started training sessions, created a blog and a friendfeed group.
For example during a heated debate around baboons harassing the community I decided to, again promote open communication. I said that:
- Email is underground
- Email is exclusive
- Email discriminates
If I read what Seth said, above, then I can add:
- Email permits civic associations and representatives to act badly. Therefore…
- Email permits them to not act in the interest of their constituency.
Note: I am saying email permits. I am not saying it does.
To make a long story short; My attempts to introduce open communication at the Civic Association failed. And email communication prevails. As my naive and optimistic attempts failed I decided to call it a day.
When I left, I was kept on the Civic Exec’s e-mailing list. Well until ……..
A few days ago an exec member decided to email the Civic association group about an issue. I read the email, decided to comment on it and add more business people to the email for their comment. I should have expected an attack. I got support as well. At the time this exec member did not respond. He emailed the public group with relevant comments, but he also exposed his true colours, and directed the following at me:
Your unwarranted disclosure of an email to numerous other addressees is uncalled for and indicates that emails to you are not treated as within the [Civic Association]. I will thus refrain from including you in any further correspondence [Civic Exec Member]
Let me use a cliché: I arrest my case!
This is a public representative hiding behind emails.
Now, I am asking you;
- Can you continue to allow Civic Associations to remain faceless?
- Can you allow civic associations to not act in your the best interest (while they discuss your issues underground)?
- Can you allow your civic associations to not use the latest public tools to communicate in public?
When you read this and you agree then thank you. If you read this and you feel the pain then that’s good. The fact that civic exec members intent to only do good is not the issues here. They are doing it voluntary. And they are try their best. But nothing gives them the excuse to resist change. They need to never send  any email under the Civic Association’s name if they not also publish the content…… making it available for the community.
When will this happen?
Soon enough
Hope all civic exec members have the courage to communicate in public.
Have fun
Johan Horak
P.S. If you want to know how to setup a public communication platform for your civic association and your community then just ask.
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