An effective strategy communication enables the clear and widespread expression of a garden vision, mission, and goals to its internal stakeholders. This clarity ensures that all individuals within the garden understand and appropriate for themselves its principles and projects, fostering a strong sense of unity and shared purpose among them. Good communication has many repercussions for the development of education activities within community gardens. Here are the ones we can highlight:
- It strengthens the commitment of volunteers: the more an organisation is recognised, the more the people involved strengthen their commitment and are motivated because they feel associated with the success of their organisation. This can happen, for example, during events within the community involved: the work of the volunteers and staff can be highlighted, which ensures or encourages their future commitment. The night of community gardens could be an example of event, or it could be during the annual party of the garden (example in this French garden)
- It improves the decision-making process: Internal communication serves as a valuable source of information on the community needs and context, enabling strategic decision-making. By involving volunteers and staff in this process, their unique perspectives and expertise can be leveraged, ultimately resulting in improved outcomes. The best approach is, in this sense, bottom-up, so the needs and expectations can be included from the beginning, from the design phase.
- Strategy communication plays a crucial role in facilitating organizational learning through the promotion of knowledge sharing and the establishment of feedback loops. By encouraging open dialogue and communication, it creates an environment where individuals can freely exchange insights, lessons learned, and best practices. This collective learning process contributes significantly to the growth and continuous improvement of the organization over time.
- Through effective strategy communication, gardens are better equipped to respond and adapt to changing circumstances. When employees and volunteers possess a clear understanding of the strategic direction, they become capable of anticipating and effectively addressing emerging challenges and opportunities.
- Conflict resolution: Conflicts may arise in any community setting; community gardens are no exception. A well-established communication strategy can aid in resolving conflicts effectively. Open dialogue and transparent communication help address misunderstandings and differences before they escalate. One of the most important changes or conflicts can happen, for example, when there is a change of leadership in the garden. If the internal processes are not well explained, it could lead to dissensions and misunderstandings putting in jeopardy the garden itself.
Sources and resources
whispir.com/en-au/blog/the-benefits-of-effective-internal-communications: Visited on 21/07/2023
vevox.com/blog/7-benefits-of-effective-internal-communication: Visited on 21/07/2023
lumapps.com/internal-communication/internal-communications-benefits: Visited on 21/07/2023
helpjuice.com/blog/internal-communications: Visited on 21/07/2023
talkfreely.com/blog/benefits-of-internal-communication: Visited on 21/07/2023