We usually find fault in our local government and leaders. “The tax bill went up… the street isn’t plowed yet… they want to do what with the park?” Local governments need to earn the trust of their residents before these frustrations arise to prevent a minor annoyance from becoming a major issue.
Jerry Deschane, Executive Director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, advises local leaders to focus on building up “social capital” through efficient service delivery, frequent communication, and transparency in their operations. He first heard this concept from the Mayor of Anaheim, CA, but it works for Wisconsin, too.
Listen to this conversation where Jerry describes how local governments earn and spend their social capital, and what happens when that account is depleted. Stay tuned until the end to hear about something new coming from the League, too!
