COMMUNITY ORGANISING TRAINING
5. Communicating During a Campaign
Using Communication as a Tool for Influence and Unity
Effective communication turns strategy into coordinated action.
During a campaign, every message, update, and conversation shapes how the Heritage Australian community is seen and how confidently your team can act.
This topic shows how to use communication to strengthen participation, maintain coordination, and engage the wider public with credibility and purpose.
It draws on the Community Organising Handbook resources, including the Campaign Communication Template, Action Logistics Checklist, Message Framework Template, and Public Statement Guide, all designed to help Associations communicate with clarity, consistency, and integrity.
1. Internal Communication and Coordination
Internal communication keeps campaigns organised and safe. It ensures that everyone involved understands their role, the plan, and the purpose of each action.
The Community Organising Handbook includes the Campaign Communication Template, Action Logistics Checklist, and Action Coordination Flowchart, which together help your team manage information, timing, and responsibility during active campaigns.
Practice:
- Circulate short, clear updates using the Campaign Communication Template before each action.
- Confirm logistics such as transport, timing, safety procedures, and contact details using the Action Logistics Checklist.
- Use the Action Coordination Flowchart to define how information moves between organisers, team leaders, and participants.
- Include your core campaign message in all team briefings so that everyone can describe the campaign with clarity and confidence.
- Hold quick post-action check-ins to identify what worked well and what needs improvement.
Trainer’s Reflection:
Communication inside the team is what keeps campaigns running smoothly.
When information flows clearly, everyone can focus on their role and feel part of something organised.
Strong internal coordination is the difference between a plan and a performance.
2. External Communication and Public Messaging
External communication is how your Association represents itself to the public.
This includes everything from statements, social media updates, and interviews to how members describe the campaign in everyday conversations.
The Community Organising Handbook provides the Message Framework Template and Public Statement Guide, which ensure that every communication reflects the same consistent message and aligns with the values and goals of Heritage Australians.
Practice:
- Develop a short campaign message that explains who you are, what you want, and why it matters.
- Use the Message Framework Template to define your key message and ensure it appears consistently across all forms of communication.
- Share the agreed message internally before public release so that all members and spokespeople communicate with unity and accuracy.
- Review written or spoken materials using the Public Statement Guide to confirm they reflect the same core message and tone.
Trainer’s Reflection:
Consistency builds credibility.
When every message reflects the same purpose, people begin to recognise our voice and trust what we stand for.
Communication only works when it speaks clearly and in one direction.
3. Engaging Media, Councils, and Community Partners
Campaigns gain credibility through constructive relationships with local institutions and the media.
Engagement should reflect both professionalism and confidence in representing the Heritage Australian community.
The Community Organising Handbook includes the External Engagement Checklist and Spokesperson Preparation Guide to support effective and respectful communication.
Practice:
- Prepare for public meetings or interviews using the Spokesperson Preparation Guide.
- Use the External Engagement Checklist to plan who will represent your Association and how to follow up after each interaction.
- Keep engagement factual, polite, and purposeful, even when there is disagreement.
- Reinforce your core campaign message during all interviews or public statements to maintain consistency.
Trainer’s Reflection:
When we engage with councils and media respectfully, our reputation grows.
People may not agree with everything we say, but they remember how we said it.
Each interaction is an opportunity to show that our community acts with integrity.
4. Managing Tone and Credibility
Every word and gesture reflects the values of the Heritage Australian movement.
Consistency, calmness, and accuracy demonstrate leadership and build public confidence.
The Community Organising Handbook includes a Communication Values Guide to help review written and spoken messages before they are shared publicly.
Practice:
- Review each public statement or post against the Communication Values Guide to ensure it reflects respect and clarity.
- Avoid reactive or emotional responses to criticism; focus on solutions and shared purpose.
- Remind members that credibility is built collectively — every comment contributes to the public image of the movement.
Trainer’s Reflection:
Credibility grows when we remain calm under pressure.
Our message becomes stronger when it reflects discipline and self-respect.
The way we communicate is as important as what we say.
5. Reviewing and Improving Communication
Campaigns move quickly, and communication systems must adapt as they grow.
Regular review keeps the process professional, effective, and aligned with your purpose.
The Community Organising Handbook includes the Campaign Debrief Template, which helps identify what worked well and what can be improved.
Practice:
- After each campaign, review both internal and external communication using the Campaign Debrief Template.
- Identify which messages gained the strongest response and where clarity could improve.
- Keep examples of effective communication to guide future campaigns and train new members.
Trainer’s Reflection:
Each campaign teaches us how to communicate better.
When we review and refine our approach, our message becomes clearer and our reach grows.
Summary
Communication is what keeps a campaign alive.
Strong internal communication builds unity and confidence. Clear external communication earns credibility and influence.
Consistent messaging across every channel, from team briefings to public statements, is the mark of an organised and credible movement.
By using the templates and guides in the Community Organising Handbook, your Association can coordinate effectively, represent the Heritage Australian community with integrity, and turn every campaign into an example of professionalism and purpose.
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Next Steps
Once your group is active and organised, use the Heritage Australians Constitution Toolkit to formalise your Association, elect a committee, and connect into the wider movement.