A Year of Communications

In July 2015, the Communications Division was established in the City of Foster City. The vision of this division is to create a team of knowledgeable staff to enhance public engagement efforts, motivate and support Council, staff, and the public to engage, and to transform our community relations through genuine dialogue.

Since its inception, City communication has increased in size and in efforts, and has provided both improvements and innovation to how the City communicates. By creating a Public Engagement Team with members from every City department, the Communications Division is able to work collaboratively with all departments on projects and events, and collect insight from a range of voices.

I would like to share the many avenues through which the City shares information and engage in dialogue with the Foster City community.

This blog itself was launched in collaboration with the Communications Division on July 1, 2015. 

In October 2015, the Foster City Forum, an online place where citizens can get informed, offer feedback, and stay engaged was launched. This tool offers a variety of survey options so that the public can offer their responses to a broad range of City topics.

In February 2016, the first issue of the Foster City Current was released. With the many projects, events, and press releases, we wanted to create an easy and fun way to see the information that matters most to community members. This monthly e-newsletter includes highlights of what is happening in the City in the upcoming month.  The newsletter reaches nearly 9,000 subscribers each month.

Also in February, the City launched its official app, Foster City Access. With marketing assistance from the Communications Division, the app has nearly 600 downloads so far.

In April 2016, another monthly e-newsletter was launched, the Economic Development Business E-Newsletter. This publication is full of City news and tailors information for our business community in Foster City.

The City’s official YouTube account has been revived, and the Communications Division is dedicated to creating original video content, to help tell the story of the City of Foster City.

The Communications Division has also expanded and re-strategized the use of social media. More frequent and engaging content is being introduced on Facebook and Twitter, and the City is now on Instagram.

In the past month, the Communications Division created an account on Nextdoor, a social network for neighbors. As a Nextdoor agency the City can post information, and we soon hope to host a Q&A for residents.

This is quite a lot to accomplish in a year. I am very proud of what the Communications Division has accomplished, and the direction they are steering City Communications. I encourage you to find the best tool or channel for you, and know that we are always ready to listen and engage.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofFosterCity

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CityofFC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityoffc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofFosterCity

Nextdoor: https://nextdoor.com/agency-detail/ca/foster-city/city-of-foster-city

Foster City Forum: http://www.fostercity.org/ourcommunity/Foster-City-Forum.cfm

Foster City Access App: http://www.fostercity.org/ourcommunity/Foster-City-Access.cfm

Foster City Current E-Newsletter: http://www.fostercity.org/cityservices/enewsletter.cfm

Foster City Business E-Newsletter: http://www.fostercity.org/doingbusiness/Foster-City-Economic-Development-News.cfm