Purpose and acknowledgements

Purpose

Engaging Queenslanders: a guide to community engagement methods and techniques brings together introductory information on a range of traditional and innovative techniques. It is intended to assist public officials at all levels and other practitioners to choose the most appropriate community engagement process. Strengths and weaknesses are summarised for each technique to support decision making.

A broad spectrum of community engagement techniques can be used by clients and other agencies to engage with citizens and stakeholders. Some are designed specifically to share information or to elicit views and opinions, while others aim to effectively involve people in government planning, decision-making, service delivery and evaluation.

This guide is not intended to provide detailed 'how to' information on each of the methods described. References and website details are provided for each of the techniques so more detailed information can be accessed to support the effective use of these techniques. This guide acknowledges that the most appropriate community engagement technique for any given circumstance will be determined by the issue, the engagement objectives and goals, the stakeholders and the available resources. In some instances a range of engagement techniques beyond those outlined in this guide may be required or a technique may have to be adapted to suit particular circumstances. Information about other resources which may inform decision-making about engagement processes is provided at the end of this guide.

No single engagement technique will suit every issue. Using more than one technique in an engagement activity may provide the opportunity for government to reach beyond its usual stakeholders and to increase representation and participation.

This guide is part of a suite of resources being produced by the Department of Communities, in collaboration with other agencies, to support and promote effective community engagement practice across the public sector.

The first seven resources in the suite are:

• Engaging Queenslanders: Improving community engagement across the Queensland Public Sector
• Engaging Queenslanders: An introduction to community engagement
• Engaging Queenslanders: Community engagement in the business of government
• Engaging Queenslanders: A guide to community engagement showcasing events
• Engaging Queenslanders: Evaluating community engagement
• Engaging Queenslanders: Introduction to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Engaging Queenslanders: A guide to engaging people with a disability.

Further resources include:

• Engaging Queenslanders: Introduction to working with culturally and linquistically diverse (CALD) communities
• Engaging Queenslanders: An information kit for culturally and linquistically diverse (CALD) communities connecting with the Queensland Government
• Engaging Queenslanders: Government and communities working together.

Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge the following for contributing photos included in this guide.

Community Renewal (Department of Housing)
Wendy Sarkissian
Second Cohort of the Graduate Certificate in Interprofessional Leadership (UQ)