The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) has recognized the County of Roanoke as a recipient of a 2009 Achievement Award in the Information Technology category for its submittal “Innovation Without Funding.” VACo – an organization that exists to support county officials and to effectively represent, promote, and protect the interests of counties to better serve the people of Virginia – received 72 entries from localities across the state. Roanoke County was one of 15 chosen to receive an award, which recognizes local government programs in awards criteria that include innovation, cooperation, and model practices.
As standard practice and when possible, Roanoke County incorporates technology to increase efficiency and improve services and communications with its citizens. During difficult economic times, however, innovation typically suffers as funds are diverted to cover essential technology investments. In the fall of 2008 – when it was obvious that Roanoke County would also suffer a budget shortfall – county staff began exploring alternative technology methods that would allow citizen communication and collaboration to continue on a positive trajectory at little or no cost.
After extensive research and guidance from other local governments around the country, the answer seemed to lie in Web 2.0. According to Wikipedia, “Web 2.0 is a term describing the use of [Internet] technology and Web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing, and most notably, collaboration among users. These concepts have led to the development and evolution of Web-based communities and hosted services, such as social-networking sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies.”
In response, the county formed a Web 2.0 working group and several departments adopted and implemented a handful of Web 2.0 tools – most notably popular social media Facebook and Twitter.
“The significance of using Facebook and Twitter in government cannot be understated. Both are free, so the only financial commitment is the small learning curve for the designated users,” says Elaine Carver, Roanoke County’s chief information officer. “We have been able to reach out and engage citizens who don’t rely on traditional media outlets for information, broadening our audience and making us a more inclusive government.”
Information Technology Director Bill Greeves adds, “We are delighted to engage and collaborate with our citizens using methods they are already familiar with. We have had to learn to integrate our messages, our tools, and our services into the media and forums that people are already accustomed to and use by choice.”
Both added that the use of social media and other technologies is important to the long-term stability of county operations as baby boomers retire and millennials – the twenty-somethings who are entering the workforce who have already deeply integrated these technologies in to their lifestyles – move into the work force.
Receiving the VACo award is an honor.
“We had a record number of entries this year,” said VACo executive director, James Campbell. “This shows that many counties are adapting to the economic environment by developing innovating programs to affect positive change in their community. I am thoroughly impressed by all the quality work that can be replicated throughout the state and country.”
Elaine Carver concludes, “Our Web site will remain our core tool for citizen communications, but we’re excited about using the ‘push’ technologies of Twitter and Facebook to get relevant information into people’s hands – whether it’s news of an unexpected roadblock, an important vote by the Board of Supervisors, or a Parks and Rec-hosted event. These are exciting times.”
More information about VACo can be found at www.vaco.org.
