communications in communities

In our community groups, communication is key to our common success.

Little things like saying hello, admiring someone’s beans or just smiling or nodding with a little eye contact can change someone’s day, especially if they feel isolated or lonely.

We are all busy –  too busy sometimes to read emails and newsletters that other volunteers in our group spend lots of time on.

This is where signage can help communicate the key messages necessary for smooth flow, safety and following agreements or laws.

We only notice signs if they are clear, novel in the right place to make sense and easy to read.

We will likely read signs once so remember to draw attention to them when having a group chat or doing a walk around a site.

Signs and written communications also give you a third space – something to point to if there is a misunderstanding – you want to avoid blaming language – try ‘the sign says this, what did you understand?… when this happened, we put the sign up so we all can be reminded what to do….”

What can I do?

So freshen up your signs often at a shared site, make them visually appealing and clear – keep it simple.

Remember some people in your community may not read well so provide a sensible graphic as well as words and use the languages of your group.

You can do a lot of graphics with Apple Keynote, Microsoft powerpoint or similar public domain software or free subscriptions and use the free elements and templates  (e.g. Canva, not affiliated). Graphics software can help you quickly make clear communications of essential information to visually remind people (in business, we call this strategy visual management)- like emergency preparedness plans or water restriction regulations. Most software now has AI or ‘magic’ support built in.

Using templates you can quickly make up signs and posters.

There is also nothing like a neat handwritten sign with large text (that you can read from a distance).

If the sign will be outside, remember to use materials that will stand up to weathering or be prepared to replace often. Reuse Corflute (election or real estate signboards) and permanent pens are good outside material for short-term, engraved wood or metal for longer-term signs, or if you have access to funds, pay a local signwriter for their services.

Directional or way-finding signage is another art and science altogether.

Below I share some examples of simple signs and other examples of visual management.

QSG Water Poster 1 (2)