Part of the "DALTON UNITED/UNIDOS" initiative
Create a community engagement plan for Dalton by building a city-led research, design, and engagement process with input from residents, community associations, City department staff, service providers, and partner organizations. The initiative recommends partnering with local organizations such as Whitfield County, CLILA, Dalton State College, Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority, and Believe Greater Dalton, while eventually creating a Director of Community, Cultural Engagement, and Inclusion position to manage community engagement, programming, partnerships, inclusion work, and long-term community trust-building.
Tracks Director of Community Engagement salary.
Tracks Year 3 total engagement budget.
Tracks Year 2 total engagement budget.
Tracks additional benefits for the Director position.
Tracks retention rate of community members and stakeholders willing to return over time.
Tracks local, regional, and state organizations identified as partners/resources for the community engagement plan.
Tracks collaboration across City departments, local agencies, nonprofits, service agencies, business owners, school leaders, and public officials.
Tracks community member churn rate over time.
Tracks effectiveness of the board and Director’s campaigns and programs.
Tracks annual community focus group meetings included in the engagement budget.
Tracks Year 1 total engagement budget.
Tracks most active members and member-led subgroups in the community.
Tracks increased trust and “Dalton Pride” created through direct and indirect communication with diverse communities.
Tracks annual community events included in the engagement budget.
Tracks residents who refer the community to others as a sign of deeper engagement and community value.
Tracks program engagement growth rate for Dalton’s community engagement initiatives.
Tracks increases in Hispanic engagement and participation, including voting, board members, city employees, community events, and business chamber members.
Tracks Year 4 total engagement budget including recruitment, Director salary, and benefits.
Tracks creation of the Director of Community Engagement position.
Tracks long-term community members and residents who respond positively to community surveys.
Tracks inclusive engagement with non-English speaking residents and populations from many racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
Budget table shows Year 1 total of $84,640.00, Year 2 total of $87,179.20, Year 3 total of $89,794.58, and Year 4 total of $196,988.43. Budget items include community events estimated at 1% of citizens at $50 each for two major events annually; community focus groups estimated at 1% of citizens at $40 each for three focus-group meetings annually; promo materials/general supplies; recruitment in Year 4; Director of CE salary of $79,500 in Year 4; and additional benefits of $20,000 in Year 4.