This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

New Ways to Communicate

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Bayside is utilizing new technologies and several innovative forms of communication to keep residents, employees and neighboring communities informed of everything happening in Bayside. Similar to how it takes several departments to make sure the village runs effectively, there are several communication mediums the village has used to keep our residents informed.  The village understands no one form of communication reaches everyone and that different people stay in touch with what is happening in their community through different means.

Communication in the 21st Century

Back in 2000, the village primarily relied upon posting boards, cable channels, limited internet, quarterly/monthly newsletters, and hand deliveries to communicate information. The village still uses many of these communications mediums; however, we've taken advantage of new, user-friendly, and near instantaneous communications mediums like Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Constant Contact, and the new village website that allow the village to provide a continuous stream of information to residents.

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Residents can be notified of and access this information via their personal computer or laptop, smart phones and applications, tablet devices, or in some cases through text messaging. The village is committed to staying up-to-date on these technologies and to using them, along with any new technologies, to keep residents as informed as possible on what is happening in the community. Below is a brief overview of what Bayside has done to utilize new communication mediums.

The Village Website

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Viewed by as our internal hub for all things Bayside – the website is the headquarters for all our communication efforts. Each piece of information that is sent out, whether it be via Facebook, Twitter, or Constant Contact – all lead the reader back to the Village’s website to find the fully story, and more information. The current website allows user the option to:

  • Chat live online with a village staff member
  • View the village’s Facebook page;
  • View the village’s Twitter feed;
  • Read the Village Manager’s Blog;
  • Handheld device application;
  • View interactive crime reports and speed studies;
  • Report a concern through a report tracker;
  • Find valuable resident related information;
  • Pay taxes;
  • And much more.

The website certainly does serve as the main hub for information about Bayside, but the village is exploring a number of innovative and popular technologies to make sure residents are aware of all the informational updates. 

The Social Media Revolution: Facebook and Twitter

Social media like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, are not the main focus of  communication efforts, but they are quickly becoming the easiest and most convenient way to instantly communicate information to residents.  A little less than a decade ago, Facebook was almost exclusively used by college students, and now people of all ages it. Social media allows the village to provide quick updates –up to 140 characters worth – in a matter of moments. In addition, residents can access these forms of social media via computers, smart phones, cell phones, and tablet devices, while also providing instant feedback in the form of “liking” the village’s status, or simply by responding with a written comment or question.

The village has set up official accounts for Facebook and Twitter that allow residents or interested persons to “fan” or “follow” the village. This allows them to stay automatically informed when the village provides an informational update.  So when you’re wondering whether or not garbage will be collected or delayed due to a snow storm, you can follow the village’s most recent, updated information on Facebook and Twitter. 

Email /E-Newsletter

The village’s email notification system has been the most enduring form of communication used to reach out to residents. The “Bayside Buzz” began in earnest as a way to provide more up-to-date information, has blossomed into a twice weekly, newsletter style campaign with over 1,900 participants. Each week, at the same times, Tuesday and Friday, subscribers can expect to receive an email that contains pertinent information to the happenings in Bayside – from weekly collection services, assessment information, to upcoming village sponsored events. The service has evolved over the past few years to reach a more diverse audience, and to keep a fresh, readable appearance. 

The village strives to provide a useable product to residents, so that the material that is being delivered is read, as opposed to simply discarded due to lack of interest or valueless information. Based on the success of the weekly Bayside Buzz, the Tuesday Talk was introduced to proactively communicate an important issue of the week.

The Report a Concern Feature

One of the major components of the village’s website, as well as a major customer service program, is the Report a Concern feature. The Report a Concern feature is a website based system that allows residents to voice their opinions, concerns, and ideas. The interface is easy to use, and offers the option to track your suggestions or concerns twenty four hours a day. Was your garbage missed?  Have an idea to improve the community? Use the Report a Concern feature and your submission will be sent the respective department immediately.  The ability to track your proposal means you’ll see when the request is opened, and how it was handled throughout.  

It’s all at your Finger Tips

Adapting to new trends, like Facebook and Twitter, has allowed the village to stay in touch and reach out to even more residents. In addition, most of these new communications trends allow the village to communicate information for minimal costs, or completely free. 

Nearly every day the village posts, emails, and distributes information and updates that benefit residents.  If you aren’t already signed up for the Bayside Buzz or haven’t “Liked” the village on Facebook or are following the village via Twitter you’re in luck. Just go to www.bayside-wi.gov and click on each of these respective features on the homepage. 

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