Those in search of information and ideas about how governments are using Facebook should bookmark the simply-but-appropriately named “Facebook and Government” page.
Although the focus is mostly on how federal agencies are using Facebook, public information professionals at all levels of government can derive ideas and lessons learned. The page is also a good sources for advice to government officials from social media professionals outside the public sector.
Read More
InsideFacebook.com has posted a useful article on “10 Ways Facebook Pages Can Help Local Governments Better Serve Their Constituents.”
As local governments let go of their reluctance to embrace social media and begin adopting this useful new tools, guidelines like these help local agencies get the most benefit from tools like Facebook.
As the article puts it:
Facebook pages can be used in all sorts of ways — it really depends on what the local government’s overall goals are. The first 6 tips deal with more general issues, the second section of 4 tips provides more details on what sort of information to share on your page.
Read More
The City of Anaheim, under the leadership of Mayor Curt Pringle, has been the most forward-thinking municipality in terms of embracing e-government and new media. Anaheim has been single-minded in its efforts to enable residents to conduct their business with the city electronically, to the maximum extent possible.
This month, Anaheim launched “The Great Anaheim Apps Challenge,” asking residents and nonresidents alike to propose mobile digital apps and Web-based solutions for improving city services and programs.
Anaheim is embracing Twitter as a way to link residents with city staff and spur more rapid response to constituents requests, according to the OC Register:
“This month, Anaheim began an interactive Twitter account, believed to be the first of its kind among local cities – not only to let residents know about events happening around town, but also allowing them to send “tweets” to the city to request that a pothole be fixed or graffiti be removed.
City employees are charged with responding to the question or complaint that same day, if possible. No more than 48 hours.”
This open-source approach to improving e-government services is farily unique, and one that other municipalities should consider emulating. As local governments struggle to deal with budget pressures, inviting innovators to create fee apps to improve city services makes a good deal of sense.
Read More
Sarphi, Inc.