Recorded webinar

Level-up your community engagement skills and knowledge

“Community engagement” is now a specialist discipline that cuts across all aspects of local government services and projects, yet most councillors are not formally trained in the theory or methodologies. Does this matter?
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  • Duration

    1 hour
  • Content

    Webinar recording
  • Resources

    Slidedeck
    Webinar Live - Locale Learning

    Align expectations, actions & outcomes

    Representing the community is a core part of being a local councillor and one that often comes naturally. Typically, councillors are great communicators and connectors, motivated by a desire to serve their community and tackle challenges. Many step into the role with the express intent to improve communication between council and the community. Yet few have any formal training in "community engagement" theory or practice.

    Upskilling councillors in community engagement can:

    • avoid tensions between council staff, councillors and community members on significant ‘high stakes’ community projects
    • align councillor expectations with council’s engagement approach for a particular project
    • resolve misunderstandings about the level of engagement (and therefore resources) that is appropriate in the circumstances
    • prevent councillors from delving into operational matters in an attempt to salvage “engagement” for the community
    • support councils to try innovative methods to match evolving community expectations

    When councils do it well, it builds trust and supports meaningful outcomes. When it’s done poorly, it can have the opposite effect.

    Enroll in the course to explore community engagement from the perspective of a councillor and to learn more about what you can do to support councillors in this space.

    Why take the course?

    Be at the forefront of positive change and gain a deeper understanding of why councillors should enhance their knowledge of community engagement theory and practice.


    In this webinar, we explore why a solid understanding of community engagement is essential for councillors to effectively lead and govern. The webinar:
    • Shares insights from recent international research
    • Covers the statutory role of a councillor and the elected council in engaging with the community
    • Unpacks the difference between a councillor’s representative role and council’s role in engaging with the community
    • Shares case studies where there has been a misalignment between expectations, actions and outcomes - the good the bad and the ugly!
    • Offers suggestions for how you can enhance your councillors theoretical and practical knowledge of community engagement to improve outcomes for your community

    Your presenter

    Cinnamon is a Registered Planner, qualified planning mentor and highly experienced community engagement practitioner with the leading IAP2 qualifications. She is also an alternate member of the Sydney & Regional Planning Panels, with in-depth experience in the local government industry and an exceptional knowledge of the NSW planning system. Her love is grassroots planning and at the heart of that is local government and a desire to support good governance. She is known for her warm and engaging facilitation skills, that she has been putting to good use across the last 20 years in many local government community engagement projects.

    Trailblazing organisation

    At Locale Learning, we believe in humanising the political experience and supporting local elected leaders to reach their leadership potential. In 2023 we were recognised by the Apolitical Foundation as a trailblazing organisation for the work we do in providing practical support to councillors to improve their wellebing.  Our mission is to share ideas on useful ways to bolster the mental health of elected leaders, with positive outcomes for communities in mind. 

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    Thank you!
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