New England Communication-Engagement Strategy

Design Principles – Guidelines

This is a summary of what was seen as ‘desirable’ in developing a

web based communication - engagement strategy to help regional
stakeholders and community groups work smarter and more
effectively together for a Sustainable New England.

These principles - guidelines were identified in a workshop of 2 New

England community projects (HICUB and NESS) both funded by the
NSW Environmental Trust. These stakeholders came together to
evaluate and re-think how New England stakeholders e-
communicated in the past and how we could more effectively
engage and communicate across and outside the region as to what
is happening in the region.

The aim of these guidelines is to design a communication

engagement strategy that leads to richer face to face yarning and e-
conversations, less fragmentation, enhanced collaboration and
increased awareness of what is happening across regional
communities and initiatives.

1. There is a need for one New England regional space-hub-place

network portal for what is happening across the New England
region (possibly NEON).

2. We need to shift from the old paradigm of passive information

‘buried’ sites to dynamic communication approaches where
news is assembled and broadcast out to where people are
looking (using subscriber & social networking-marketing)

3. We need to enhance ‘connectivity’ across New England web

community, enterprise, environmental sites and more
effective communication strategies covering events,
community initiatives, projects. To open up spaces for groups
to work together and allow creative spaces for conversations.
Rather than provide ‘links we look to use ‘feeds’ and ‘open
standards’ network architecture to enable enhanced
connectivity.

4. Place stories are encouraged

5. There is an space-opportunity for advocacy of new ideas,

campaigns
 6. This regional network hub be resourced to promote the access
and use of the hub and the various regional community tools
and sites on it (eg Spatial Vision, Place Stories etc)

Micheal O’Loughlin May 24th 2010