Trust networks part three

Inspector Eric Berry, Community Safety Officer for the Blue Mountains, brings us the final instalment of a three-part series posted over three weeks, looking at how we can use trust networks in community engagement.

Previously in this series we have discussed what a network is, how people receive information and how we might build a trust network. This final entry talks about how to use your trust network to get the results you are looking for.




The benefit of a trust network is that when you speak to them (verbally or, more likely these days, electronically) you will be listened to and your words are more likely to be acted upon. This can have great potential to produce awareness, preparation and result in safer decision-making by your community.

There’s also another benefit, almost as a by-product, that you might not have foreseen. Those you communicate with, who include you in their trust network, will then share your advice with their other trust networks and social networks, often with the suggestion that those receiving the message should take it seriously because it has come from a trusted source. In this way you’re increasing your clout, enhancing your social capital and strengthening your brand as a result of being recommended by a trusted source.

Remember the term “word of mouth advertising”? It’s the same principle.

But it takes you to make the first move. You have to start somewhere, put in a lot of heavy lifting to get things moving, and maintain your achievements at every step of the way.

Let me give you a recent example.

On Thursday 5 January 2011 we had a severe thunderstorm warning issued for our weather area. At the time, the storm cells were quite a distance away and posed no threat to our area. Later in the evening that situation changed and just after 6pm we used our email and social networks to publicise the approaching storm cell:

Friends,

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is current for the Central Tablelands area. A Number of storm cells are moving through the area.

An intense cell, currently out near Trunkey, is moving north-east towards the mid and upper Blue Mountains, including Katoomba, Hazelbrook and adjoining villages, later moving down the Mountains. Heavy rain, hail and even some flash flooding are possible, along with lightning & thunder.

For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the NSW SES on 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies, ring '000' immediately!

Stay safe, stay calm,

Eric

That was the message. Nothing panicky, nothing too formal – indeed you could say it was quite an informal message. An hour later the visitation of Thor was upon us, as the length and breadth of the mountains were impacted by a heavy storm cell. The following morning, we received some feedback from our community:

Hi Eric,
Just thought you'd like some feedback on your Thunderstorm Warning last night.

I was sitting at my computer when your email arrived with a "bing" - so I checked it out and immediately went to the BOM radar to look at the loop and found it was indeed heading our way (Wentworth Falls).

As soon as the distant thunder started getting a bit louder, I shut down. So glad I did as the lightning and thunder was some of the most intense we've experienced in nearly 16 years of living here.

Just wanted you to know there are people out there who value the service you provide.

Best regards, John

This is just one of a number of similar emails.

Why do I point this out? Because it is an example of what happens in real life. As you can see, John received our message, decided that it was important, and then went on to validate it with another “trust” source (the Weather Bureau), which is a fair call since storm warnings aren’t our main business most of the time. This is a start – people are taking notice and taking action. Now to keep building and waiting for an opportunity to test it further under bushfire conditions.

Oh and there’s another benefit too. When it comes time to involve your community in planning and preparation activities, you’ll be able to get some leverage with your existing trust networks and, if you’re doing it right, you’ll find a ready-and-willing core of people who will be prepared to get involved, even if only peripherally.

If you haven’t started yet then you should get going! You are not going to build your network overnight. Get your name and face known, start giving to your community and you too can start to build your very own trust network.

So get yourself out there!