M4: Learner Manual

At the time decisions are made in community meetings, it needs to be clear to the Chairperson and all present who will perform the community liaison role. Following community meetings, the people in the community liaison role should make contact with the Chairperson and all those required to action decisions. This will help them confirm which community members are directly affected by meeting outcomes.

These people should be informed first and as quickly as possible, along with key community members (Elders, Traditional Owners) who were not present at the meeting.

All other people should be informed as soon after the meeting as possible. Ways of informing people may include:

·       Sending the minutes in the mail or by email.

·       The organisation’s website, if appropriate.

·       Social media.

·       A copy being made available at the offices of the organisation.

·       Verbal communication, if required.

In some communities the customary, kinship based networks mainly use verbal communication which is an ideal way for information to reach everyone in a community.

Information can be sent quickly through established networks where community members attend meetings. The Chairperson of a community meeting may directly ask participants to spread outcome information through their networks. If participants need to return to a subsequent meeting with information or decisions made by the group they represent, then they would network with these people to make these arrangements.

As a Board Member, staff member or a member of the community, you may be required to:

·       Action decisions taken at a community meeting.

·       Work with others to action decisions.

·       Coordinate the work of others to action decisions.

Board members may action the decisions if it is not appropriate to delegate the work to staff. If the Board member does delegate the work, then it is the Board members responsibility to make sure that it is done appropriately and within the expected time frame. This can be achieved by briefing staff clearly and being available for advice and then overseeing the work.

When the community or organisations members take the time and trouble to make decisions, it is important that action is actually taken. Do not allow situations to arise where community members are disappointed that no action is taken.