One of the best ways to launch a successful Social Media program is to ensure that the program aligns with your organization’s overall mission and strategic objectives. Having the SM team review a management tool such as a balanced scorecard or six sigma initiative is a critical success factor. I have seen many organizations lack this alignment, and this in turn leads to inadequate ROI and a pullback from using SM applications.

Examples of how localities are successfully stretching beyond traditional means to tackle challenging problems, build community and foster a civic culture.

Why use technology to engage our citizens? If it is for one-way communication, we suggest you ask yourself, “Is the time and effort you have to dedicate to it worth it…”

The examples in this article demonstrate the impact and importance of utilizing technology to successfully stretch beyond traditional means to tackle challenging problems, build community and foster a civic culture.

This article details a series of problems with public hearings, and then culminates with an explanation of how online public comment forums complement public hearings in ways that (1) address their deficiencies, (2) enhance the perspectives and deliberations of government decision makers – and ultimately, (3) increase public trust in government.

In Williamsburg, every other year the council redefines their strategic priorities for the following two years, known as their Biennial Goals, Initiatives and Outcomes (GIO’s). Currently, the GIOs contain 10 general goal statements, about 80 concrete initiatives, and 60 outcome measures and ratings. Initiatives are specific and measurable projects and activities over that advance the goal. Initiatives are not a comprehensive list of services and activities, but rather new actions or changes in direction.