This document is a template for creating a community engagement plan, published by the City of Banyule. It is designed to guide organizations in developing a structured and strategic approach to engaging with their communities, including multicultural communities. The template highlights the importance of understanding the project background, developing clear engagement objectives, and defining what aspects of the project are open to community input (negotiables) versus those that are predetermined (non-negotiables).

The document emphasizes the need to develop key messages that inform the community about the project and how their involvement will contribute. These messages should be consistently used in all project communications. It also encourages organizations to anticipate frequently asked questions (FAQs) and provide clear and concise answers to address potential community concerns and ensure transparency.

While the document doesn’t explicitly focus on multicultural communities, its framework can be adapted to ensure inclusive engagement practices. Organizations can use this document to engage multicultural communities by:

• Identifying and Including Multicultural Stakeholders: Organizations can use the template’s stakeholder analysis section to identify specific multicultural groups and their representatives. This information can inform the selection of appropriate engagement methods and communication channels.
• Developing Culturally Appropriate Questions: The template provides guidance on designing engagement questions that are relevant and accessible to diverse groups. It encourages the use of plain English, avoiding jargon and acronyms, and ensuring questions are specific to the project elements. For example, instead of asking for generic “feedback”, organizations can ask targeted questions about specific aspects of the project that are relevant to multicultural communities. The template also suggests considering the use of images as a more inclusive and engaging way to seek feedback from those who may face language barriers.
• Creating Inclusive Engagement Activities: The template emphasizes the importance of selecting a diverse range of engagement methods that cater to different cultural preferences and communication styles. It suggests considering factors such as language, cultural norms, accessibility needs, and technological literacy when choosing activities. For instance, organizations could offer a mix of online surveys, in-person workshops with interpreters, and focus groups conducted in community languages.
• Ensuring Accessible Communication Materials: The template highlights the importance of using culturally appropriate language and communication styles in all project materials. It encourages organizations to consider translating key documents and using visual aids to enhance understanding. The template also includes a section on communication planning, emphasizing the need to reach diverse audiences through various channels. It encourages organizations to consider using translated materials, interpreters, and partnerships with ethnic media outlets to ensure effective communication with multicultural communities.
• Collecting Demographic Data: The template includes a section on standard demographic questions that organizations can use to gather information about participants, including their gender, age, suburb, and languages spoken at home. It also encourages organizations to ask about participants’ connection to Banyule (live, work, study, or other) to understand how they relate to the local community. The template recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion by asking participants to share information about their cultural background and whether they identify with specific groups, such as people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, or those who speak English as a second language.
• Analyzing Engagement Data for Cultural Insights: When reporting on the engagement process, the template recommends including an analysis of the demographic data to identify trends and patterns across different cultural groups. This information can help organizations understand how effectively they are reaching and engaging with multicultural communities and inform future engagement strategies. The template also encourages the use of direct quotes from participants to illustrate diverse sentiments and perspectives.
• Monitoring and Evaluating Engagement: The template emphasizes the importance of monitoring and evaluating engagement activities to assess their effectiveness and make necessary adjustments. This can include tracking participation rates from different cultural groups, gathering feedback on the cultural appropriateness of engagement methods, and measuring the impact of engagement on outcomes for multicultural communities.