Over the past few years, technology has rapidly changed and new methods of communication have been implemented by forward-thinking organizations. St. Charles has changed the way that we communicate with stakeholders, including the deployment of Facebook, Twitter, e-mail list serves, blogs, and RSS feeds. All have been well-received by constituents who have also adopted new ways to communicate with their co-workers, family, and friends.

Over the past year, the City has seen a significant growth of users to the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages, and in overall visitors to our website. The City has been able to embrace more electronic communication efforts with efficiency. As part of the continued evolution of the City’s overall communication strategy, The Den newsletter went electronic in July 2011.

The new Den, along with many of the City’s other electronic news resources, will be timely, easy to use, and will align with the goals defined in our strategic plan – to use open, clear communication methods for sharing information with all stakeholders to foster understanding and trust, and to enhance communication initiatives to adapt to changing demographic, societal, and technological trends.

The conversion to an electronic format will also be more efficient for the City to produce and distribute. It will provide for greater flexibility because the City is no longer limited to a set number of printed pages each month, allowing City officials and staff to provide even more information than in the past. Finally, it will allow anyone to sign up and receive the newsletter, including businesses, non-profit/community organizations, retirees, and residents who have relocated to another community.

So far, many residents have embraced the change. Hundreds of subscribers have provided their e-mail address to allow the City to deliver the Den directly to their in-box. You can do the same and sign up for City e-News here.

You can also view the July, 2011 edition of The Den here.