The first two sessions have been booked for Solihull’s Councillors, and these will primarily be an introduction to social media, and how it can be useful to them, and their communities.
CivicSurf have kindly sent out some DVDs and about 70 booklets for me to distribute to the Councillors, and directors, so I really hope this generates some interest in these social media surgeries.
I have been very careful to aim this at the Councillors themselves, rather than the whole council, as these members do not have budget, and are not paid, so I really hope that some of the volunteers from the Birmingham Social Media Surgeries will be willing to help me out here. As this is all about them being able to engage more with their communities, in the same way that we have been helping community and voluntary groups to engage.
In the first two sessions (currently booked for the 7th, and 11th of September) I am only going to introduce them to the concepts, and answer some questions. From this, we should have some people who are genuinely interested in learning, and setting up their own blogs, presence on Facebook/Twitter and so on. I would like to run four surgeries in total with the first towards the end of September, then the other three over October and November.
Without Councillors active engagement through blogs, and social media, I honestly believe we have lost something after spending so long helping community groups make their presence felt online. If they can both engage with each other, and the public together, surely the outcomes will be better for all.
Please let me know by email, or in the comments below if you would like to be involved.
Alan, this is such good news. Glad to see that things are moving forwards. I’d love to attend both sessions and help out if possible, and also bring some colleagues with me. Any chance I can have a look at one of the DVD’s, so I can see the sort of info the Councillors have beforehand please? My contact details are on http://www.justblogging.co.uk . I can drop into the SMBC office Monday lunchtime if that helps. Many thanks. @hadleypaul
Certainly interested.
I guess from the nature of the introduction sections not too much help is required at these stages.
Once you have some firm dates for sessions with the councillors give me a shout.
Cheers,
Neil
I’m happy to help out with some surgeoning. Will keep an eye out for confirmed dates for the sessions.
Great stuff, Alan. Keen to come along and assist as best I can.
Exciting time – and well done for being so proactive on this – I think exactly the right approach to be taking.
Running a small social media skills school slot at the NALC conference this weekend based on the same principles
Hope your surgeries go well – am sure they will – looking forward to lots of new Solihull based Tweeters