Erin LaPere
Member, Ethics Committee
Tenet 9 of the ICMA Code of Ethics: “Keep the community informed on local government affairs. Encourage and facilitate active engagement and constructive communication between community members and all local government officials.”
Keeping the community informed and encouraging an engaged public is an important role of local leaders. Carrying out our duty of fostering high quality communication seems like it should be, if nothing else, relatively straightforward. As we know, getting the community engaged and communicating with their government can be a struggle. Indeed, there have been many articles and conference seminars on how to engage the public, strategies to use, and similar. But what if engagement isn’t the issue, but instead everyone is well engaged on a hot-button issue? Shepherding a constructive conversation during times of controversy is a testing point for many leaders. It can prove even more challenging if you have personal beliefs or opinions that align with one side or the other.
One important step to successful engagement in times of controversy is to identify and acknowledge, even if only to yourself, your internal biases. We all come with our unique perspectives, preconceived notions, and internal biases that can influence our communications decisions in direct and indirect ways. For example, deciding what information to include, and what to exclude, is an ethical decision that can be influenced by our internal biases. Decisions on whether information is relevant, accurate, or worth sharing with the public must be made as impartially as possible. This is where having a network of trusted advisors with differing backgrounds can prove invaluable. Somebody, or a few somebodies, whom you can depend upon to help you work through your own blind spots will make you better suited to encourage an open and honest dialogue. If you find yourself in an echo chamber, make a conscious effort to seek out differing opinions.
Additionally, communication is more than the words we say or the content we post. Listening is a key communication tool that should be employed regularly to foster true community engagement. This is especially important when the topic is controversial or impactful. Hearing someone, listening to their thoughts and beliefs, and attempting to come to an understanding of their perspective requires a deliberate effort. There are countless articles, particularly around social media, that discuss communication in our profession but are focused on the content we are pushing out. We should ask ourselves: what information are we bringing in? Ensuring an engaged and well-represented community means that we listen to all sides, and we must listen well. At the end of the day, have we made space for everyone’s voice?
Finally, it’s critical that you are clear when representing your own opinions. This includes individual conversations, discussions with individuals of or the entire governing body, and with any potentially public communications. Remember, even private social media can become public. Be vigilant, as separating your opinions from those representing your community can be difficult. Always be cognizant that people are watching.
The reality is we are under public scrutiny even when we’re “off camera” living our personal lives. This is especially true during times of controversy when almost any statement can be misapplied to mean support or opposition. If your personal social media includes strong opinions, how does that perception of bias get addressed when representing your community? Keeping the public trust and confidence by remaining neutral in times of controversy all while maintaining authenticity can feel impossible at times. Knowing yourself and your boundaries is a balancing principle for maintaining your sense of self while ensuring an open forum for your community’s diverse perspectives.
Erin LaPere
Member, Ethics Committee
Deputy Township Manager, Delta Charter Township
Erin was born and raised in southeast Michigan. She graduated cum laude from Eastern Michigan University in 2006 with a Bachelor of science in English language. She began her public service career in 2006 with the Village of Beverly Hills. During her 14 years there, she held progressively responsible roles and responsibilities. In April 2020, she completed her mater’s of public administration and policy from University of Michigan – Dearborn with High Distinction. She relocated to the mid-Michigan area in January 2021 after she was appointed city manager for the City of Charlotte where she served for two and half years before taking her current role. She has served as deputy township manager for Delta Charter Township since August 2023 and looks forward to a lengthy tenure in the community.
She has two children, a dog, 16 chickens and four pet fish. She enjoys reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. She, her husband, and children love to travel, and they frequently take trips around lower Michigan and the UP to go camping and fishing.