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Strategies to Improve Communities <br />Because The NCS indicated that 3 in 4 residents had <br />access to social media such as Twitter and Facebook, <br />City staff proactively launched a social media <br />campaign called `Wednesday Walkabout' — a video <br />series promoted through the City's social media <br />channels to help inform residents both old and new <br />alike about the history and different amenities in <br />their community. <br />In addition to this social media outreach campaign, <br />Ankeny publishes an interactive site to let residents <br />learn about the results of The National Citizen <br />Survey on the City website (www.ankenviowa.aov). <br />Ankeny Showcases slice of life with social media campaign <br />CONTACT: <br />Deb Dryer <br />City of Ankeny <br />515,965.6414 <br />ddya reankenylowa.gov <br />ANITNY, Toms (August 7. 2013j - Resieents who aye In Ankeny frequently cite quality <br />schools, growing business opponunibes, access to antenites and irs nelghbony, smatl- <br />town feel as reasons they enjoy living in Iowa's fastest growing city. <br />But as our community continues to grow, It's sometimes easy to overlook the late <br />linings that make Ankeny a friendly and cohesive community. <br />In respo <br />Citizen S <br />Common <br />new sell <br />Walkabo <br />Ihtllzled <br />Twiner aQ <br />Departma <br />organs 0y <br />within An <br />'The Chia <br />were oppl <br />Ankeny's <br />and to hal <br />Com"aunl <br />campaign <br />demonstr <br />On Thurst <br />to ask ref <br />course of <br />1 <br />National Citizen Survey <br />ty t' Font Slat 0 share & aaokmerk a Odra <br />National Citizen Survey <br />Surveying citizens Is a fundamental method for communication between the public and local <br />government The City of Ankeny has conducted biennial Citizen surveys since 2004 in an effort <br />10 enhance communication and receive feedback from citizens on City services and community <br />life. <br />There are several key benefits to conducting a survey every two years: <br />1. The survey measures opinions of residents on city services and quality of life Issues <br />over time which Is Important to prioritizing services and focusing atten0on on any Issues <br />needing addressed. <br />2. The City gains benchmark comparisons from local governments across the country. <br />3. The survey Is used as an Internal management tool for improvement and monitoring. <br />4. The survey Is used for community planning and resource allocation, program <br />Improvement. and policy making. <br />The statistically valid survey, which Is conducted by the National Research Center, Inc., an <br />Independent research organization baserl In Boulder, Calerado, polls citizens on Information <br />ranging from public safety, development, parks and recreation, economic development, <br />Infrastructure, administrative services and leadership. <br />If you have questions about this page contact Deb Cyan at 515,965.6414 or email Deb Dyer <br />According to the 2013 Citizen Survey, <br />9S% of respondents rated Ankeny as a great place to live. <br />Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents, <br />They can be downloaded try admit' on the Icons below. <br />A Case Study in Online Resident Outreach and <br />Communication <br />Fort Collins, Colorado <br />Fort Collins has been conducting biennial citizen <br />surveys for more than a decade. Clearly the voice of <br />residents is intended to help steer the direction of <br />the city. Biennial budget documents are salted with <br />scores of references to the citizen surveys among <br />many measures that managers use to set targets for <br />improving community quality. By putting residents <br />central in the strategic direction of the city, Fort <br />Collins takes the risk that unscripted "reviews" and <br />resident perspectives may not match the preferences <br />of staff or elected officials. Such is the nature of <br />democracy at its best. <br />Besides its rich history with citizen surveys, the City <br />of Fort Collins has partnered with MindmixerTM to <br />create a website to promote civic engagement online <br />called Idea Lab (htto://idealab.fcuov.com/l. They <br />operate the website as a "town meeting" allowing <br />residents to respond at a time and place convenient. <br />After creating an account, residents can share ideas, <br />join discussions and help local government and <br />other community organizations take action around <br />an issue through shaping decisions, impacting policy <br />and spreading awareness. <br />This virtual town hall has posts about sustainability, <br />transportation, community engagement, diversity, <br />and quality of life to name a few. Conversations <br />occur between residents, city staff and community <br />organizations. <br />Widen our sidewalks and incorporate them <br />f trail system. <br />qez <br />Siamvalks <br />into th <br />along busier streets Ilke Timberline and Leanly should be widened le <br />ranCourage Ikifg for me many 01 us Thal arena terlllorleale riding in the 4122 <br />lanes <br />d3rn[4111leararr aaffiawa5ffiCm_ hul l would a6lenlan oNshnud. <br />Maybe a 1i11fe obvious, but having an annual block parry is a real way for <br />neighbors to gel la know each other. We have a group that Coss the plannrng <br />which builds extra connections. <br />1111 Great Idoa1 And you can always apply ter grant "annoy torn Nelghbolho0d <br />Sens ass Inhale offset 10001 fcgav_eomhieigh0orhoodgmnls <br />gory sawyers Administrator <br />Marketing and Advocacy <br />Public outreach can also be about branding. With <br />traditional marketing outlets and the advent of social <br />media, local governments are now choosing to <br />© 2014 National Research Center, Inc. Page 14 <br />