WHAT IS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT UNDER-REPRESENTATION?

Understanding the Difficulty of Reaching Diverse Audiences

Difficulty reaching diverse audiences refers to the community engagement challenges state and local governments face in engaging a wide range of communities and stakeholders in their decision-making processes. Under-representation of various demographic groups often includes minorities, low-income populations, or those with language barriers.

The importance of representative community engagement 

When there is an absence of diverse perspectives contributing to the decision-making process, state and local government policies and initiatives may fall short in meeting the needs of the entire community.  

Causes for under-representation in community engagement

There are a variety of factors and issues that may result in underrepresented engagement with government. Here are some common barriers and issues that, if left unaddressed, may discourage residents from full participation.

The Digital Divide

The digital divide refers to the gap or disparity between individuals/communities who have access to modern information and communication technologies (ICT) (such as computers, smartphones, and the internet) and those who do not.  Under-representation due to the divide can manifest in several ways, including issues of affordability and digital literacy skills. 

See how Frederick County, MD was able to use a mixed-mode approach for residents to provide feedback on budget priorities using email, online, phone, and in-person formats.  

Poor Resident Experience

Poor resident experience in community engagement refers to situations where residents have negative or unfulfilling experiences that discourage them from future participation.  Dissatisfaction and the resulting under-representation can stem from various factors, from unmet accessibility needs to perceptions of unresponsiveness. 

Explore how the Genesee Transportation Council improved participation and representative engagement by refining their strategy based on real-time feedback and data insights.  

Inconsistent Process

A lack of an organized and systematic approach to managing engagement activities and data may result in uneven or selective involvement of stakeholders in the decision-making process. This can create perceptions of bias or favoritism and result in under-representation.  

Learn the six significant ways in which PublicInput has empowered Wood Rodgers, a leader in engineering consulting, to deliver adaptable and efficient outreach services.  

Differences between under-represented and representative community engagement?

Under-represented community engagement refers to situations where certain demographic groups or communities have limited or insufficient representation in decision-making processes. Representative community engagement, on the other hand, ensures that diverse voices and perspectives are included in a balanced and inclusive manner, reflecting the demographics and needs of the entire community.  

How to increase representation

If engagement activities predominantly involve a narrow demographic group or fail to attract diverse participants, it may indicate under-representation and the need to broaden outreach efforts.  Here are a few considerations state and local governments can use to evaluate their community engagement approach.  

Use Inclusive Platforms: Communication channels and platforms that offer multilingual and digital accessibility features with culturally sensitive outreach strategies suggest a commitment to representative engagement.  

Avoid Limited Accessibility:  Communication methods, venues, or formats that exclude or are inaccessible to certain segments of the community, such as relying solely on online platforms without considering digital divides or language barriers can contribute to underrepresented engagement.

Avoid Exclusive Language: 

Language, terminology, or jargon that may be unfamiliar or exclusionary to certain demographic groups can lead to a lack of understanding or participation.

Addressing poor resident experience in community engagement requires proactive efforts and solutions designed to help improve communication, accessibility and the overall quality of engagement processes.  

PublicInput, A Fully Integrated Govtech Solution 

PublicInput offers a govtech solution that eliminates silos and builds a system of record that matures with each engagement.  The platform offers a variety of tools and tactics to help state and local governments engage more citizens including: 

• • Social Media integrations that can be used to target underrepresented and impacted residents. 
  • Email tools that include enhanced multilingual campaign builders supporting language accessibility.
  • SMS Text Messaging integrations offer an accessible and effective method of communication. 
  • Hybrid Meetings integrate both in-person and virtual methods to expand engagement opportunities. 
  • Project Sites and comprehensive public involvement hubs offer residents a variety of ways to access information
  • Online Surveys offer a method to ensure that the insights accurately represent diverse perspectives.
  • Online public engagement portals for residents to find projects, meetings, and information (see a live public engagement portal here)

Find out how your community can benefit from increased representation today!