Open communication

Open communication facilitates a sense of trust and inclusion within the organisation which helps contribute to a healthy culture.

However, open communication, must always be balanced against the need to keep some decisions and information confidential. This can be a difficult balance to strike, but the key principle is that everyone knows there is space and opportunity to be heard and listened to within the organisation.

Writing a policy or practice documents for open communication can help with this and sets a good standard.

Establishing good lines of communication can include:

• Full team meetings which connect staff and volunteers with leaders in your organisation.
• Team Away Days which offer chances for development and connection
• Volunteer or employee consultation
• Being intentional and purposeful about seeking the voices of community members, including children.
• Regular internal communication by leaders of departmental decisions or other aspects of the organisation.
• Leaders having an open-door policy when they are not in meetings – or on certain days.
• Having communication that is accessible to all and available in different formats. You may need large print versions of resources, Easy-Read or visual versions, documents in translation, screen-reader accessible versions or documents compatible with other accessibility tools.
• Having a policy for the distribution of meeting notes.