Resource: Use ClearGov during internal & external meetings

Below, you will learn about:

• Pro-tips to use ClearGov during internal and external meetings

One of the many benefits of the ClearGov platform is turning large amounts of often complex financial, demographic, and performance data into easy-to-understand graphs and graphics which can and should be used in a wide variety of meetings to highlight the great work your town or school is doing, to address areas where investment is needed, or any other reason where the facts are helpful to kick-start a conversation. 

Here are some suggestions:

• Show your Transparency Center at a public forum and highlight specific graphics relevant to the topic at hand. You will also be informing them of your commitment to transparency!
• Start or end your council meetings by highlighting new updates made to your transparency page to remind residents of how they can stay informed.  
• If you display Projects on your Transparency Center, make sure to call attention to these pages during public meetings. Encourage residents to keep track of the project’s progress via the “subscribe to project updates” button to get updates via email.
• Do you utilize Dashboards on your Transparency Center? Share what kind of information will be posted on these pages, and how often residents can expect to see those updates. Invite your Department Leaders to present their dashboards to highlight their work. Gather public feedback on what kind of metrics they would like to see on those dashboards. By implementing these strategies, you can effectively highlight your department’s work, promote transparency, help reduce inquiries, and demonstrate your commitment to citizen feedback. 

• Download and add charts to internal presentations when you need to make sure everyone has a shared understanding of the facts. Most of the graphics on your transparency page can be downloaded as an image!
• Display your Digital Budget Book during meetings to give context to Funds and Department budgets.  
• Share your CIP or ClearPlans documents with a broad audience or in internal meetings. 
• Celebrate your Transparency milestones publicly by highlighting your achievements such as adding a new checkbook data portal, publishing a digital budget book or CIP page, and receiving recognition for your budget book or other transparency efforts.
• Encourage public participation by showing residents where they can add comments or ask questions on your live Transparency page.