Engaging Citizens with New Technology

Ben Kittelson

“To explore apps and online services that will improve customer service and citizen engagement between the City of Gresham and Gresham residents.”

Apply Project Management Skills from PA 558

Put Evaluation Skills into Practice from PA 555

Build on Citizen Engagement Experience from positions at West Linn and Oregon Metro.

Expand Communications Skills from positions at West Linn, ELGL and Oregon Metro.

Integrate what I've learned into the Organization Experience.

Research and evaluation of ReCollect. Adopted and being implemented. Created communications plan. Created messaging document and sample

materials.

Research into the service, evaluated compared to Volgistics.

Being implemented. Created internal communications.

Research and evaluation, new way to engage and receive input.

Was not approved because of funding. Created draft survey. Created draft evaluation plan. Created internal communications.

Researched and evaluated a number of options.

Narrowed down to SeeClickFix and CitySourced.

Created internal communications including summary sheets and a presentation to technology steering committee.

#3: Addressing challenges in public interest. #4: Identify & engage with public policy

process. #5: Employ qualitative techniques to

manage resource use. #6: Create systems and processes to

improve organizational performance. #7: Develop creative solutions to public

service challenges. #9: Demonstrate verbal and written

communication skills.

Implementation of 3 new apps. First in Portland area with City Hall App. Citizens can report issues to the city via

their phone. Move volunteer applications online. Create database for volunteers. Serve citizens better.

Became more passionate about local government.

Encouraged by the new technology that is out there.

Energized by the chance to manage my own public project.