COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNITY RELATIONS
COMMUNITY RELATIONS TIPS AND TACTICS
COMMUNITY RELATIONS TIPS AND TACTICS RELATED TOPICS
PUBLIC RELATIONS TIPS
COMMUNITY RELATIONS JOBS DESCRIPTIONS
HOW TO BECOME A COMMUNITY RELATIONS LIAISON
HOW TO BECOME A COMMUNITY RELATIONS LIAISON RELATED TOPICS
COMMUNITY RELATIONS LINKS
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SECTION 1
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
Community relations in reference to public relations refers to a company, organization, or
other entity's relationship with their community. Community relations involves cultivating
positive relationships and images with a company or organization's neighboring public.
Positive community relations are a crucial aspect of corporate public relations. Community
relations have the ability to make or break neighborly support or understanding of a company,
and if positive, allow the company to make excellent strides in their public relations
marketing plans. Community relations also allows the community and neighbors to understand
the role and function of the corporation, and therefore be more encouraged to support it.
In order to cultivate positive community relations, it is vital for a corporation or entity to
reach out to their state and city-wide community. Doing so can encourage corporate support,
mutual understanding, and good corporate citizenship.
The two most important steps in promoting community relations are:
1) Support,
2) Participation.
Neighbors and communities respond to corporations that actively participate in and support local
occurrences. Such involvement positively influences public relations and opens the doors to
increased relations and/or exposure.
The cultivation of positive community
relations involves multiple actions:
Listening to the needs and wants of the community. Ascertaining community acceptance or rejection
of a corporation is an important and ongoing piece of community relations. Listening and responding
to the feedback of the community helps cultivate positive relationships.
Dispelling any fears or misconceptions about the company or corporation. Neighbors and people in
general, are sometimes apt to fear or dislike what they do not understand. Corporations should work
to dispel myths, fears, or misconceptions, and be open, honest, and straightforward about their
function and role.
Defending and supporting the health and safety of the community; Corporation should promote safe
business practices and prevent accidents, or damage to health or the environment, wherever possible,
regardless of the item they manufacture. Accepting blame and acting immediately on accidents can
more often than not maintain positive community relations.
Attributing corporate contributions of time and money; "giving back". An internal contributions
plan prepared by a corporation can allow them to efficiently give back to the community by donating
to or sponsoring local events, youth sports, local arts, education programs, etc.
Encouraging and managing employee volunteerism and community participation. Because employees
represent a corporation and can, essentially, function as a corporate ambassador, corporations
should keep employees informed on community relations positions, and encourage them to be involved
in the community.
Implementing fair employment practices; Fair and non-discriminatory employment practices do much
to cultivate positive community relations. Communities feel supported when they know a corporation
makes employment fair, accessible, and beneficial.
Maintaining profitable and ethical operating practices. Maintaining profitable and ethical business
practices serves to positively benefit the community as a whole, especially the employees who work there.
Additionally, a statement of ethics and plan of community involvement do much to positively influence
the community.
Participation in Community Events
A large portion of community relations is corporate participation in community events. All types of businesses,
organizations, and other corporations or entities, including schools, universities, and hospitals, host or
participate in community events; doing so helps cultivate positive community relationships, visible community
involvement, and public relations exposure.
The following are some examples of company, organization, and other entity community event involvement:
Campus visits and tours at colleges and universities;
Sponsorship of community events such as concerts, theatre, competitions, fund raisers, and other local happenings,
by paying for the event or a portion of the event, or donating equipment, products, service, or food;
Hosting community wide fundraisers;
Hosting holiday events or gatherings;
Participating in community parades;
Hosting conferences;
Facility or headquarter tours;
Informational seminars;
Community Relations
http://www.publicrelationsideas.com/community_relations_000671.html
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SECTION 2
5
WAYS
TO
IMPROVE
YOUR
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
When turmoil hits a school district, as in a few noteworthy cases of late, it's critical
to already have community support solidly in place. The National School Public Relations
Association (www.nspra.org) offers administrators these tips on maximizing community-
relations initiatives:
Ask parents to serve on hiring committees.
Invite them to help pre-screen applications and to serve on employee-interview teams.
Their perspective is important-and they'll learn about the hiring process.
Use automated e-mail notification systems.
Include a space on your web site where parents can keep in the loop by adding their e-mail
address to the district distribution list. Use these lists to generate quick messages for
emergency weather closings and other events.
Create a separate PR office e-mail address
To organize information and enhance the district's professional stature.
Hold a customer-service training workshop for your staff.
Often, administrative assistants and other staff are a parent's first and only exposure to
school or district administration. Review the principles of good customer service with these
employees to improve communication.
Market your schools among Realtors.
Hold a seminar for brokers and agents at one of your schools, during which the superintendent
talks to Realtors about their importance to the district and shows them what they're selling
to potential residents. Send magnets to real estate offices listing your PR staff's phone
number as the "District Realty Hot Line."
5 Ways to Improve your Community Relations
http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7031
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SECTION 3
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
TIPS
AND
TACTICS
Community relations is back in style, helping organizations grow meaningful roots deep
into their local communities.
Whether you call it community investment, public participation or community relations,
weve put together a bunch of tips and resources to inspire you and help you get even
better results from your community engagement strategies and programs. Cmon in. This
community center is open!
Community Relations: Tips & Tactics
http://www.theprcoach.com/community-relations/
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SECTION 4
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
TIPS
AND
TACTICS
RELATED
TOPICS
5 Tips on Establishing a Presence in Your Community
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/81286
The 10 Commandments Of Community Relations
http://waste360.com/mag/waste_commandments_community_relations
Creating a Successful Public Relations Campaign
http://www.business2community.com/public-relations/creating-a-successful-public-relations-campaign-0141
Do-It-Yourself PR
http://www.theprcoach.com/do-it-yourself-pr/
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SECTION 5
PUBLIC
RELATIONS
TIPS
Effective public relations can boost an organization's reputation. While it helps to
have a healthy budget and dedicated resources to public relations activities, a basic
communication strategy can also be accomplished by following a few tips. Much of the
success of public relations strategies depends on advanced planning, which can be
accomplished on any budget.
Learn the Media Landscape
One of the first tips toward public relations success is understanding the media network
covering your industry. Learn the names and publications of the journalists who cover
your topics. Establish yourself as a credible source by providing accurate, truthful and
valuable information. Learn how each reporter wants to receive information. Some will
need news releases while others will only want a quick phone tip or a Tweet. Respond
promptly to media requests and respect the tight deadlines facing journalists.
Release News and Only News
One of the most critical tips toward public relations success is sending information to
journalists that is really and truly news. Flooding a journalist's voicemail or inbox with
inconsequential information will annoy the journalist and might cause her to assume that
most news from your company is junk. Releases that get noticed have a attention grabbing
headline and clearly explain the who, what, why, where, when and how of a topic.
Have a Crisis Response Plan
Another strategic tip is developing and testing a crisis communication plan. An effective
plan identifies a spokesperson, makes arrangements to handle the needs of injured parties,
outlines logistics for responding to the media and sketches out key talking points. Details
of the plan should be communicated to employees. The company should practice the crisis
response drill, and the plan should be updated periodically.
Practice Interviewing
Many individuals who deliver smooth and polished media interviews practiced their responses
and fine tuned their non verbal communication. Companies such as Media Training Worldwide
provide intensive coaching sessions, but practicing with a friend and a video camera can
also help. In either scenario, individuals should anticipate responding to tough or hostile
questions, develop a positive but firm speaking voice and monitor non verbals to eliminate
negative signs like crossed arms or eyes that shift back and forth from the camera.
Define Your Message
In a famous television interview with reporter Roger Mudd, Tedd Kennedy helped sink his
presidential hopes by failing to give a clear, concise and firm answer about why he wanted
to be president. Simple, open ended questions like "tell me about your company," or "why
is your product the best" can derail a public relations campaign if not handled properly.
Company representatives should ensure that major messages and themes are clearly defined,
easy to understand, truthful and accurate.
Capitalize on Social Media
Capitalizing on social media opportunities is another tip toward effective public relations.
One of the top strategies toward using social media for public relations purposes is knowing
where your audience "lives" on line. For example, if most of your customers check Facebook
but ignore Twitter, sending Tweets is not a great investment of time. In addition, just like
traditional media, social media updates should consist of information readers can use, such
as news, tips or entertainment.
Public Relations Tips
http://www.ehow.com/info_7755547_public-relations-tips.html#ixzz29cmkpmov
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SECTION 6
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
JOB
DESCRIPTIONS
A community relations specialist is responsible for planning and managing programs
that are meant to bring publicity towards the company and improve its profile in a
community. In some ways, a community relations manager acts in the same manner as a
public relations specialist, but the work is performed for a single client and can
include the management of volunteers and project budgets.
Professional Responsibilities
The responsibilities will differ according to the firm, but there are some general
expectations specific to the occupation. A community relations specialist plans,
implements and manages community relations projects that meet the mission goals of
the company. Community relations projects may include company-wide fundraiser events,
volunteer events and special events that require caterers, photographers or additional
event managers. The specialist is required to network with other team members and
communicate program progress and budgeting to the community relations director. Company
volunteers may also be managed by the community relations department.
Required Skills
Excellent interpersonal communication and team working skills are a necessity. General
accounting skills are necessary to prepare budget and cost control reports for the
community relations director.
Education and Prior Experience
The most competitive job applicants find that a masters in business administration or
management is an excellent academic supplement to a bachelor's degree. Entry-level
applicants may enter directly after college, though most employers favor applicants
with at least three years of administrative, financial or technical experience.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a growth of 12 percent for administrative
services managers between 2008 and 2018. The growth is about as fast as the national
average for all occupations. Job competition for lower-level administrative service
personnel was projected to be less than that for higher-level personnel over the same
time period.
Community Relations Job Descriptions
http://www.ehow.com/about_6337565_community-relations-job-descriptions.html#ixzz29clceHge
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SECTION 7
HOW
TO
BECOME
A
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
LIAISON
Community relations liaisons are often outreach workers for non-profit organizations,
political campaigns or universities. Liaisons are different from public-relations
workers because they deal almost exclusively with members of the community. Many
community relations liaisons are volunteers, but if you want to become one, you
may need special education and skills.
Instructions
Become a Community Relations Liaison
1. Study for a bachelor's degree in a subject like journalism, communications or public
relations. Many community relations liaisons can be volunteers, but if you want a full-
time, paid position, you'll probably need a 4-year degree.
2. Build your communication and organization skills. As a liaison, you could be acting as
the middle person between local government and a non-profit group. You must have the skills
to present the goals, needs and activities of a group in both written and verbal forms.
3. Look for outreach opportunities during times of crisis. When there is a natural disaster,
like a forest fire or a flood, many health groups look for volunteer community relations
liaisons to help coordinate rescue and relief efforts. These volunteer opportunities may
give you the experience you'll need to become a full-time community relations liaison.
4. Learn a second language. As the population of the country continues to become more culturally
diverse, many liaisons are finding that they need to speak a language besides English. Language
skills are particularly important for liaisons in industries like health care, because they deal
with the entire population of an area.
5. Research and learn about the specific industry you want to work in. For example, if you are a
community liaison for the science department of a large research university, you may be responsible
for helping researchers coordinate their efforts with local, state and national governments. In
this case, you may be required to coordinate the delivery of special chemicals to a laboratory and
inform the local community of potential dangers or increased traffic due to the delivery.
6. Familiarize yourself with different computer programs. As a community relations liaison, you
could be responsible for creating brochures, fliers and Internet content. Some community colleges
offer inexpensive classes designed to teach you a variety of computer applications and skills.
Tips & Warnings
Some community relations liaisons worked in certain fields and became liaisons due to their knowledge
of the group. For example, most police departments have community liaisons that are or were officers.
Teachers often choose a representative to be a liaison for their schools.
Hospitals and clinics are some of the largest employers of community relations liaisons. In order to
work for a hospital, you may need some education or background in nursing or health care.
How to Become a Community Relations Liaison
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068928_become-community-relations-liaison.html#ixzz29ciIAqjs
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SECTION 8
HOW
TO
BECOME
A
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
LIAISON
RELATED
TOPICS
How to Become a Police Liaison Officer
http://www.ehow.com/how_4741442_become-police-liaison-officer.html
How to Become a Community Liaison Officer
http://www.ehow.com/how_7165196_become-community-liaison-officer.html
How to Study for the Ham Radio License
http://www.ehow.com/how_6734593_study-ham-radio-license.html
How to Become a School Liaison Office
http://www.ehow.com/how_6201942_become-school-liaison-officer.html
Duties in Community Relations
http://www.ehow.com/list_6686653_duties-community-relations.html
Job Description of a Community Liaison
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5619611_job-description-community-liaison.html
How to Study for the Ham Radio License
http://www.ehow.com/how_6734593_study-ham-radio-license.html
How to Become a Spin Doctor
http://www.ehow.com/how_7639853_become-spin-doctor.html
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SECTION 9
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
LINKS
Community Affairs in the Federal Reserve System
http://www.federalreserve.gov/communityaffairs/national/
Community Programs
http://www.world-affairs.org/community-programs
Community Relations, With and Without Technology
http://www.coyotecommunications.com/tips2.html
Creating a Successful Public Relations Campaign
http://www.business2community.com/public-relations/creating-a-successful-public-relations-campaign-0141
Public Relations Managers and Specialists
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Public-relations-managers-and-specialists.htm
Public Relations Tips
http://publicrelations.lifetips.com/
Public Relations Tips for Community Managers
http://community-roundtable.com/2012/08/public-relations-tips-for-community-managers/
School of Community and Public Affairs
http://scpa-eapc.concordia.ca/en/
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