EJ GARRETT- An Engaged Life
EJ GARRETT ON ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Engaging with Aboriginal organisations and community groups requires a structured and thoughtful approach. Our people have been engaged with and surveyed countless times, over generations, and at times there maybe reluctance from community people to engage into yet another survey. To navigate reluctance to be involved in the strategy JETZAK uses an approach that has multiple tools to gather information and ensures those involved in the activities are aware of the purpose of project, their role and the expected outcomes; and how the project will benefit the participant and their community. The community engagement activities are likely to be diverse considering the diversity of the targeted communities. The media strategy ideally takes advantage of existing community engagement activities. To ensure optimum participation the community engagement strategy will include incentives to be made available to participants when participating in the research component, with particular focus on ensuring the incentives does not outweigh the message. In the case where there are no appropriate events scheduled JETZAK will work with clients and communities to identify events and community activities that will facilitate engagement with targeted groups such as sporting events, social activities and community events as opportunities to conduct research activities.
The engagement approach taken by JETZAK is community based. Spending meaningful time in the community to better get to know community members and vice-versa. We have found that taking this approach ensures that the development of the media strategy is a partnership between the agency and the community and aligns with the interests and expectations of the community and the client.
Engaging with Aboriginal organisations and community groups requires a structured and thoughtful approach. Our people have been engaged with and surveyed countless times, over generations, and at times there maybe reluctance from community people to engage into yet another survey. To navigate reluctance to be involved in the strategy JETZAK uses an approach that has multiple tools to gather information and ensures those involved in the activities are aware of the purpose of project, their role and the expected outcomes; and how the project will benefit the participant and their community. The community engagement activities are likely to be diverse considering the diversity of the targeted communities. The media strategy ideally takes advantage of existing community engagement activities. To ensure optimum participation the community engagement strategy will include incentives to be made available to participants when participating in the research component, with particular focus on ensuring the incentives does not outweigh the message. In the case where there are no appropriate events scheduled JETZAK will work with clients and communities to identify events and community activities that will facilitate engagement with targeted groups such as sporting events, social activities and community events as opportunities to conduct research activities.
The engagement approach taken by JETZAK is community based. Spending meaningful time in the community to better get to know community members and vice-versa. We have found that taking this approach ensures that the development of the media strategy is a partnership between the agency and the community and aligns with the interests and expectations of the community and the client.
JETZAK producer with hundreds of broadcast and corporate hours under his belt. He likes a chat and a nice cup of tea. He is happily married with three boys and lives in Brisbane. His mob is Darumbal from central south west Queensland
