i’m a councillor: “she’s alright she is” sophia collins gallomanor communications ltd
TRANSCRIPT
I’m a Councillor: “She’s alright she is”
Sophia CollinsGallomanor Communications
Ltd.
1. Manifesto
2. Questions and Answers
1. Manifesto
3. Live Chat1. Manifesto
2. Q & A
4. Voting!1. Manifesto
2. Q & A
3. Chat
IAC – What is it?• An Event
– Online centred on www.bigvote.org.uk
– Real world Teacher Packs
• 2006– 33 councils– 185 Cllrs– 4,500 students
“no i never been interested when i got told by my teacher about it and gave me the slip and then i got really involved im not really the politics person but i am a little now."
Young participant, West Sussex Live Chat1.07pm, Fri 20th Oct 2006
“It involved students who would otherwise not have given politics a second glance"
Tony Lake, Head of Citizenship, Poltair College
What influences who young people vote for?
What influences who young people vote for?
“I could just tell she really loved her job and would do anything to help”
What influences who young people vote for?
“I could just tell she really loved her job and would do anything to help”
“I thought he was a kind caring man who seemed to want to help the youths of my town and to me that is a great impression”
What influences who young people vote for?
“I could just tell she really loved her job and would do anything to help”
“I thought he was a kind caring man who seemed to want to help the youths of my town and to me that is a great impression”
“A realistic manifesto and not trying to be too cool and ‘in with the kids’”
What influences who young people vote for?
– Authenticity
– Realistic manifesto
– Not patronising
Evaluating the event – Strengths
Evaluating the event – Strengths
1. Reversal of normal power structure
Young people:-
“i like dis its like msn but we can go on it at skewl!”
Cllrs:-
“I need to learn this language. Err, can you translate brb for me please?”
Evaluating the event – Strengths
1. Reversal of normal power structure
“Only one or two students from the PRU took part this year, but please do not underestimate the impact of this. Student D. was delighted to have taken part in this democratic act and tool it very seriously. He discussed issues that really meant something to him and his esteem was definitely boosted by receiving a reply.”
Evaluating the event – Strengths
1. Reversal of normal power structure
A. Knowledge
B. Getting answers
C. Voting
Evaluating the event – Strengths
2. The intimacy of the medium
Evaluating the event – Strengths
2. The intimacy of the medium
Young people:-
“chatting to the councillors was very useful because then you can find out almost instantly what they are going to do and what their hopes and dreams are.”
Cllrs:-
“The opportunity to get a varied view of the issues of young people - not just their gripes but things they either care about or are worried about.”
Evaluating the event – Weaknesses
1. There’s no formalisation of the outcomes
Evaluating the event – Weaknesses
1. There’s no formalisation of the outcomes
2. Many young people don’t get to do it!
Evaluating the event – Weaknesses
1. There’s no formalisation of the outcomes
2. Most young people don’t get to do it!
3. Weakness of feedback loop
Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up
Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up
are trustworthy
are clever
are all about spin
are funny
are important
don't do enough about the environment
are genuine
don't care about young people
are interesting
have a lot of power
have people's best interests at heart
are stupid
would be fun to spend time with
are making things better
are boring
don't care about ordinary people
are only out for themselves
Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up
are trustworthy
are clever
are all about spin
are funny
are important
don't do enough about the environment
are genuine
don't care about young people
are interesting
have a lot of power
have people's best interests at heart
*are stupid*
would be fun to spend time with
*are making things better*
are boring
don't care about ordinary people
*are only out for themselves*
Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up
STUPID
0
10
20
30
40
50
++ + +/- - --
National
Local
MAKING THINGS BETTER
0
10
20
30
40
50
++ + +/ - - --
National
Local
ONLY OUT FOR THEMSELVES
0
10
20
30
40
++ + +/- - --
National
Local
Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up
are trustworthy
are clever
are all about spin
are funny
are important
don't do enough about the environment
are genuine
don't care about young people
are interesting
have a lot of power
have people's best interests at heart
are stupid
would be fun to spend time with
are making things better
are boring
don't care about ordinary people
are only out for themselves
Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up
are trustworthy
are clever
are all about spin
are funny
are important
don't do enough about the environment
*are genuine*
don't care about young people
are interesting
*have a lot of power*
*have people's best interests at heart*
are stupid
would be fun to spend time with
are making things better
are boring
don't care about ordinary people
are only out for themselves
Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up
Genuine
0
10
2030
40
50
60
++ + +/- - --
National
Local
HAVE A LOT OF POWER
0
20
40
60
++ + +/- - --
National
Local
People's best interests at heart
010203040506070
++ + +/- - --
National
Local
Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up
DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE
0
10
20
30
40
50
++ + +/- - --
National
Local
Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up
“The youngsters now know that they have a voice and are beginning to know how to use it ----BUT More importantly I have started listening in a different way, rather than assuming I knew what they needed.”
Cllr Dave Harris, Colchester Borough Council
I’m a Councillor
Sophia Collins
I’m a Councillor
www.bigvote.org.uk
Gallomanor company website
www.gallomanor.com