Challenges:

1. Format - 2 hour mtgs; i.e. better venue, easier access

2. Barrier to Entry - streaming meetings, meetings all downtown

3. Motivation - jaded (need to rebrand government)

4. Being Educated - have voice -> Learned -> black hole email

5. Not know what is Government - Libraries are owned by us; capitalizing on the good stuff; proactive conversation; newspapers/ass-media misses the cool initiatives at the local level.

6. Connected-ness Challenge -->

> Fragmentation; many tools attempting to reach max ppl creates fagmentation; 

> Meet them Where they Are; audience specific communication; How to tap into private entities (ex: New Raleigh Blog) instead of doing everything on your own.

> Leveraging existing networks

7. Not everything needs engagement; Those things that do need to be justified.  Ex: Ppl don't need to be "engaged" about their water working.  They need engagement if the water is no longer working.

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How to empower people to communicate govenrment issues and challenges? (b/c City Government is a manifestation of the people in the City)

How to leverage communities to make better government in their community?

Website examples of reaching out to community:

lamayor.org

insidedistrict9.com

bonnergaylord.com

foodday.org

myfigueroa.com

> Government has community leaders (ex: Raleigh CACs).  But there's no support/toolkits/best-practices. This allows autonomy, but also might be ineffective. What "toolkit/best-practice" can be provided community leaders? 

> NationBuilder Control Panel - allows politicians and/or community leaders access to interest, success, funding, priorities, etc.