Could LWVFC Use Social Media to Engage with w/ local government?

I opted to complete last week’s assignment analyzing new media strategy by utilizing some volunteer work I’m doing on behalf of the League of Women Voters Falls Church (LWVFC).

With my assistance, the group has taken a few preliminary steps into the realm of new media — adding a Facebook page (in addition to the local website and e-mail distribution lists managed through Constant Contact). In addressing this week’s question, on whether LWVFC could use any form of media to engage government. I would say — definitely yes!

There are several possible methods whereby this could be accomplished. The League’s national organization (LWVUS) already is active on a wide range of social media and a utilizes several new media techniques to engage members. However, I’ll focus on the local League, as that is where I have direct involvement.

The League could circulate and post its formal position statements on issues via its website and/or Facebook to invite further discussion and comment amongst its members. Right now the position statements are typically only discussed during the annual meeting and prior to a public statement being made at City Council meetings. If this strategy is implemented, comments from the website, Facebook, etc. could be incorporated, giving voice to broader range of members.

Further, the League could distill its positions and post them in other public forums via the web, encouraging general discussion and hopefully spurring non-members to get involved — whether that be signing a petition, adding a comment, attending a Council meeting to voice their support for the League’s statement, etc.

LWVFC has a mailing list of 90+ members, 50+ non-members who have attended League events and 60+ local Facebook followers. These connections could be utilized to generate turn-out at Council work sessions or general sessions.

Also, when the League has made a formal statement before Council, sharing that content via social media may prompt further comment (pro and con) directly to Falls Church City government to consider as part of its deliberations.

So, yes — the League could certainly use new media to engage with government at the local level.

Questions for our speaker:

1. Can you provide some examples of a government program or agency that you think is making optimal use of new media? What has the impact of the program(s) been? Has it accomplished anything beyond the more traditional forms of communication that had been utilized previously?
2. Do you feel new media has had a tangible impact on policy development at this point? If so, how? If not, do you see that changing?