For the Love of Community Engagement.
Insights from a personal expedition to inspire better public participation.
#1 Amazon Australia Bestseller · Civics & Citizenship · 1,500+ copies sold
“We are close to breaking point. Some fundamental things are missing. And right now, we need to focus our energies on them. As a matter of urgency.”
Becky Hirst is a skilled community engagement practitioner who is willing to tell it how it is. She has grave concerns for the future of public participation. To have a thriving society, we need deeper and more communities who are actively involved in civic life — but we are close to breaking point.
Whilst this book shines a clear light on hard truths we can't escape, the stories within it are about love, passion, enthusiasm and a heartfelt commitment to community empowerment. Becky's expedition through her career is authentically presented as 20 easy-to-follow key insights, combined with 100 conversation starters to provide calls to both reflect and act.
A reading from the final chapter.
Becky reads from the closing pages of For the Love of Community Engagement — the chapter that started it all.
This book is a must read! It challenges the way we've been engaging with communities and champions the cause for a fresh think as we look to the future.
— Stephen Yarwood, Urban Futurist & Former Lord Mayor of AdelaideFor the Love of Community Engagement is a beacon of inspiration. It provides the benchmark for where we should be heading as a sector.
— Paul Kesperman, Community Engagement SpecialistBecky Hirst gets it more than most. Intelligent, entertaining and with great gut — if you are a current, emerging or curious community engagement practitioner, this is for you.
— Amy Hubbard, Practice Lead, Squire Consulting & Deputy Chair IAP2 AustralasiaBecky Hirst's 2021 book places the reader in the passenger seat of public engagement as we accompany the author on her efforts. Real and direct, first experience concerns about the future of public engagement, and calls for urgent action to reverse the trajectory we are on. Public engagement is not about marketing but telling the story like it was.
— InCommon Monthly Newsletter, Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership, California, USADo yourself a favour and buy a copy of this book. Even better, buy one for your teammates too. For anybody who cares about the future of our society and the power of communities. I sped through the book like it was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The secret was Becky's storytelling.
— Paul McGregor, Host, Beyond Consultation podcast, New ZealandNever underestimate the power of direct experience when compared with the sterile, safe, diplomatically-worded case studies that predominate in the world of community engagement. Her passion shines through and her infectious enthusiasm has clearly motivated others in both hemispheres.
— Brian Jones, Founding Director, Consultation Institute, UKThere is much to like about this book including the take-away messages and thought-provoking stories that will only make me a better engagement professional. Becky Hirst has once again shown us why she is a leading engagement practitioner and a respected and sought-after consultant in South Australia and beyond.
— Dan Popping, Community Engagement Professional, AustraliaI have included this book as part of my induction tool kit for my team and any newcomers to my team. We love your authentic, practical approach to community engagement.
— Cindy Lea Farrow de la Motte, Head of Customer and Community, Open Point, AustraliaA must read for anyone in this field. Full of relevant storytelling — her passion shines through and her infectious enthusiasm has clearly motivated others in both hemispheres.— The Consultation Institute, UK
The Tower that Watched.
This is the iconic Trellick Tower in London. During her time working with communities across the UK, Becky walked past this structure daily.
But why is it on the cover? Beyond being a constant reminder of the scale of human connection and the complex environments we build for each other, Becky is a massive fan of brutalist architecture. The harsh, imposing concrete structures weirdly soothe her brain!
Becky Hirst.
Becky is a multi-award-winning community engagement specialist, author, speaker, trainer and podcast host based in South Australia. With nearly 30 years of experience working with governments, councils and community organisations across Australia and the UK, she is one of the sector's most recognised voices.
She is an IAP2 Fellow, co-instigator of Global Community Engagement Day, and host of the podcast For the Love of Community Engagement.
Find out more at beckyhirst.world →