Participating - Revision history

Kennywong: /* Participation */

2008-05-12T12:48:45Z

‎Participation

Kennywong: /* Participation */

2008-04-07T22:42:34Z

‎Participation

Kennywong: /* Participation */

2008-04-07T22:41:20Z

‎Participation

Kennywong: /* Participation */

2008-04-07T22:40:49Z

‎Participation

Kennywong: /* Participation */

2008-04-07T22:28:02Z

‎Participation

Kennywong: /* Participation */

2008-04-07T22:27:08Z

‎Participation

Kennywong: /* Participation */

2008-04-03T12:01:15Z

‎Participation

Kennywong: /* Participation */

2008-04-03T12:00:48Z

‎Participation

Kennywong: /* Participation */

2008-04-03T11:59:27Z

‎Participation

Kennywong at 11:58, 3 April 2008

2008-04-03T11:58:57Z

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 '''Does it help me reach groups who normally don't take part?'''
-Potentially at least, E-consultation allows the consulter to engage with groups and individuals who normally do not take part in consultation. This is particularly relevant for groups/ individuals who have difficulty in attending public meetings because of location or simply do not have the time to do so. However, this is only the potential and in order for this to be realised, a number of issues have to be considered - do the groups I want to consult have proper access to technology? Do they have the technical knowledge necessary for engaging in the E-consultation? Does the necessary IT infrastructure exist in order to support the software I am using (for instance, is BroadBand available in the area)?
+Potentially at least, E-consultation allows the consulter to engage with groups and individuals who normally do not take part in consultation. This is particularly relevant for groups/ individuals who have difficulty in attending public meetings because of location or simply do not have the time to do so. However, this is only the potential and in order for this to be realised, a number of issues have to be considered -
 *Does participant required special skill and knowledge to use technology setup for running consultation activity?
 On the basis of our research, we have found that special skills and knowledge are important for running an E-consultation.

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 *What are the different ways in which I can get people to participate & how are they different to traditional methods.
-There are a number of different strategies for recruitment, some of which are unique to E-consultation. Our research has shown that an approach that incorporates both tradtional and E-techniques is the most effective. Obviously these strategies depend largley on the resources you have at your disposal for publicising and administering the consultation. For instance, after carefully selecting your target audience (those groups, people you wish to consult with)an initial 'wave' could be contact through emailing, advertising in the national/local press, advertising the consultation on appropriate websites  such as [http://www.activelink.ie/ ACTIVE-LINK] and through 'umbrella' organisations such as [http://www.nicva.org/ NICVA] or the Wheel.
+There are a number of different strategies for recruitment, some of which are unique to E-consultation. Our research has shown that an approach that incorporates both tradtional and E-techniques is the most effective. Obviously these strategies depend largley on the resources you have at your disposal for publicising and administering the consultation. For instance, after carefully selecting your target audience (those groups, people you wish to consult with)an initial 'wave' could be contact through emailing, advertising in the national/local press, advertising the consultation on appropriate websites  such as [http://www.activelink.ie/ ACTIVE-LINK] and through 'umbrella' organisations such as [http://www.nicva.org/ NICVA] or the [http://www.wheel.ie/ Wheel].
 [[Image:Nicva_logo.png|frame|right|[http://www.nicva.org/ Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 *What are the different ways in which I can get people to participate & how are they different to traditional methods.
-There are a number of different strategies for recruitment, some of which are unique to E-consultation. Our research has shown that an approach that incorporates both tradtional and E-techniques is the most effective. Obviously these strategies depend largley on the resources you have at your disposal for publicising and administering the consultation. For instance, after carefully selecting your target audience (those groups, people you wish to consult with)an initial 'wave' could be contact through emailing, advertising in the national/local press, advertising the consultation on appropriate websites  such as [http://www.activelink.ie/ ACTIVE-LINK] and through 'umbrella' organisations such as NICVA or the Wheel.
+There are a number of different strategies for recruitment, some of which are unique to E-consultation. Our research has shown that an approach that incorporates both tradtional and E-techniques is the most effective. Obviously these strategies depend largley on the resources you have at your disposal for publicising and administering the consultation. For instance, after carefully selecting your target audience (those groups, people you wish to consult with)an initial 'wave' could be contact through emailing, advertising in the national/local press, advertising the consultation on appropriate websites  such as [http://www.activelink.ie/ ACTIVE-LINK] and through 'umbrella' organisations such as [http://www.nicva.org/ NICVA] or the Wheel.
 [[Image:Nicva_logo.png|frame|right|[http://www.nicva.org/ Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 *What are the different ways in which I can get people to participate & how are they different to traditional methods.
-There are a number of different strategies for recruitment, some of which are unique to E-consultation. Our research has shown that an approach that incorporates both tradtional and E-techniques is the most effective. Obviously these strategies depend largley on the resources you have at your disposal for publicising and administering the consultation. For instance, after carefully selecting your target audience (those groups, people you wish to consult with)an initial 'wave' could be contact through emailing, advertising in the national/local press, advertising the consultation on appropriate websites  such as ACTIVE-LINK and through 'umbrella' organisations such as NICVA or the Wheel.
+There are a number of different strategies for recruitment, some of which are unique to E-consultation. Our research has shown that an approach that incorporates both tradtional and E-techniques is the most effective. Obviously these strategies depend largley on the resources you have at your disposal for publicising and administering the consultation. For instance, after carefully selecting your target audience (those groups, people you wish to consult with)an initial 'wave' could be contact through emailing, advertising in the national/local press, advertising the consultation on appropriate websites  such as [http://www.activelink.ie/ ACTIVE-LINK] and through 'umbrella' organisations such as NICVA or the Wheel.
 [[Image:Nicva_logo.png|frame|right|[http://www.nicva.org/ Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
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-'''*Will more people take part than in conventional consultations?'''
+'''Will more people take part than in conventional consultations?'''
 Not surprisingly, the issue of 'participation' is central to public consultation processes. From the point of view of consulters, the key feature here is recruitment of participants. Getting the public or stakeholders to actually engage in consultation can be extremely problematic and a strategy for recruitment must be carefully planned in advance. Using E-consultation is no guarantee of increasing participation.
-'''*Does it help me reach groups who normally don't take part?'''
+'''Does it help me reach groups who normally don't take part?'''
 Potentially at least, E-consultation allows the consulter to engage with groups and individuals who normally do not take part in consultation. This is particularly relevant for groups/ individuals who have difficulty in attending public meetings because of location or simply do not have the time to do so. However, this is only the potential and in order for this to be realised, a number of issues have to be considered - do the groups I want to consult have proper access to technology? Do they have the technical knowledge necessary for engaging in the E-consultation? Does the necessary IT infrastructure exist in order to support the software I am using (for instance, is BroadBand available in the area)?
 *Does participant required special skill and knowledge to use technology setup for running consultation activity?
@@ Line 28: / Line 30: @@
 There are a number of different strategies for recruitment, some of which are unique to E-consultation. Our research has shown that an approach that incorporates both tradtional and E-techniques is the most effective. Obviously these strategies depend largley on the resources you have at your disposal for publicising and administering the consultation. For instance, after carefully selecting your target audience (those groups, people you wish to consult with)an initial 'wave' could be contact through emailing, advertising in the national/local press, advertising the consultation on appropriate websites  such as ACTIVE-LINK and through 'umbrella' organisations such as NICVA or the Wheel.
 [[Image:Nicva_logo.png|frame|right|[http://www.nicva.org/ Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action]]] At the same time, groups/ individuals could be contacted by post, reaching those that do not have access to E-Technology. After a short time if number need to be increased a second wave could involve emailing/posting/ advertising 'reminders' to groups, etc. Lastly, a third wave could mean literally phoning people to remind them to complete the consultation or even offering the option of completing the consultation over the phone. If possible, a 'help-line' should be available for participants in order to answer any queries or help with technical difficulties.
 *Is there a target audience?
 *What is the appropriate number of particpants in terms of process/ tech?
@@ Line 35: / Line 40: @@
 This depends on a number of factors including - your experience in running consultations, how well you know your target audience, the amount of resources available for running the consultation (in terms of financial, technical, personnel).
-'''*Should I expect to directly influence outcomes from the process?'''
+'''Should I expect to directly influence outcomes from the process?'''
 This is the central consideration in consultation. Throughout the research we have conducted, we have found widespread frustration and even anger amongst participants of cosnsultation processes on this issue. Routinely, they feel that their input in consultation rarely, if ever, has any influence on final outcomes. In short, they feel that government or local authorities ask for their opinion because of statutory requirements only. It is essentially a 'rubber-stamping' exercise, a bid to give legitimacy to decisions that have already been made prior to the consultation. Many participants we talked to felt that their views are simply not listened to.
 Consulters that we have talked to believe that the value of consulting with groups/ public come in the policy-making process and not necessarily the outcomes. Consultation helps to shape policy and target services, it is rarely about influencing decisions.