Becki Begley: Educator Turned Community Engagement Expert

For Becki Begley, public service isn’t just a career—it’s her life’s calling. With over 25 years as a classroom teacher and a smooth shift into environmental education and community outreach, she has gained deep insights into what it takes to create lasting change.

Her teaching background gives her a unique view of civic engagement. Reflecting on her experiences, she says,

"If I could go back and into the classroom again, I would spend much more time on local government and less time on federal government. Ultimately, the only government you have any control over is your local government.

This perspective is especially relevant today, as national issues often overshadow local concerns. Becki’s focus on local governance highlights the importance of teaching future generations to engage with decision-makers who directly influence their communities. In this post, she shares her most impactful community initiatives and memorable experiences, showing how collaboration, local governance, and hands-on involvement can make a lasting difference.

The Essence of Community Engagement

She cuts to the heart of community involvement with her simple definition:

"At its core, community engagement is helping people solve problems." This straightforward yet powerful statement encapsulates the true purpose of community work. It's not about talking at people but rolling up our sleeves and working side-by-side to tackle shared challenges.

Communication stands at the forefront of this mission. As she notes,

"The key to community engagement is communication, specifically the ability to distill important information into what the audience needs to know."

During an intense time of information overload, the skill to convey clear, actionable insights can make or break community initiatives. But how do we gauge the success of our engagement efforts? She provides a thoughtful framework:

"To determine the success of community engagement, you need to assess whether the community achieved the goal, understand why, and if they will continue to do so."

This approach digs deeper than surface-level metrics, focusing on the lasting impact and sustainability of community actions.

Harnessing the Strength of Partnerships

A cornerstone of her philosophy is the power of collaboration. "Building partnerships is critical for community engagement and outreach," she emphasizes. This approach often leads to innovative solutions and more effective community outreach.

Begley shares a compelling example from her work in Fort Worth:

"We wanted to promote prescription drug safety in the community, and we came up with the idea of setting up drug take-back points. We partnered with a local pharmacy to achieve and use their parking lots for the drop-off points. They gave away swag and advertised the event with fliers, which helped them get good publicity and credibility. It was a simple and effective partnership that didn't cost them much and helped us achieve our goal."

This example illustrates how strategic partnerships can create mutually beneficial outcomes, serving both community needs and organizational interests.

Communication Mastery: The Cornerstone of Community Leadership

In her toolkit for community engagement, she highlights a specific methodology: "Community-based social marketing is a valuable tool to help understand how to achieve community engagement." This approach, which blends marketing principles with community-focused research, proves particularly effective in fostering sustainable behavior change.

By identifying the obstacles and benefits associated with specific actions, community leaders can craft targeted strategies to encourage positive behaviors. This aligns perfectly with her vision of community engagement as "helping people solve problems."

Every community engagement role requires effective communication skills. She shares a practical tip for initiating conversations:

"Having a well-planned pitch and knowing what to say when you get on the phone is important. I usually have my elevator pitch ready, where I tell you who I am, how I can help, and what I can offer to the person I'm talking to. I try to get those three things out quickly before the other person can process them. This allows the conversation to start smoothly."

This approach highlights the value of preparation and clarity in communication. By crafting a concise, impactful message, community leaders can more effectively engage with stakeholders and potential partners.

Making Waves: A Rural Community Engagement Success Story

One of her favorite memories comes from her work in a small Gulf Coast town. Faced with an unused solid waste grant of $150,000, she saw an opportunity to address a pressing need in rural communities and ran with it:

"We came up with the idea of installing prescription drug drop-off boxes in rural police stations. This was a real need because many of these rural communities were so far away from the closest disposal place that they just wouldn't dispose of them and were flushing them into septic systems."

This project is an example of the kind of innovative thinking that can profoundly impact community health and safety. Her approach involved not just implementing the solution, but also educating county leaders and the community about its importance:

"I had to call and talk to the sheriffs of all the counties, and in the end, I got eighteen of them to agree to become a drop-off station. Then, I did a lot of education on the front end to explain to the community why this was important and how flushing drugs could have been impacting their water supply."

This comprehensive strategy - addressing a need, engaging key stakeholders, and educating the community - showcases the multifaceted nature of effective community engagement.

Championing Mentorship and Volunteerism

Becki's dedication to community engagement extends beyond her professional work. She also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and volunteerism in building strong communities:

"We should all encourage volunteerism in our community, even for small tasks like setting up deck chairs after a storm. Every little thing can make a difference."

This perspective highlights that community engagement isn't limited to grand initiatives or large-scale projects. It's about the small, everyday actions that collectively improve the community and promote shared responsibility.

Her commitment to mentorship is deeply rooted in her family history: "I come from a family of teachers, so being part of the community and making a difference in people's lives is ingrained in me." This personal connection to community service reminds us of the potential for every individual to create positive change.

Becki's Playbook: Top Tips for Community Engagement Professionals

Drawing from her experiences, here's a practical list of advice for those looking to excel in community engagement roles:

Master the Art of Clear Communication: Hone your ability to distill complex information into digestible, actionable insights for your community.
Cultivate Strategic Partnerships: Identify and nurture relationships with organizations that share your goals. These collaborations can amplify your impact.
Focus on Local Government: Understand and engage with local governance structures. They often have the most direct impact on community life.
Embrace Community-Based Social Marketing: Leverage social media to understand barriers and benefits to behavior change in your community.
Perfect Your Elevator Pitch: Develop a concise, compelling introduction that quickly communicates who you are, how you can help, and what you offer.
Think Innovatively: Look for creative solutions to community problems, even if they seem unconventional at first.
Educate and Engage: Don't just implement solutions; take the time to educate your community about why these changes matter.
Measure Impact Holistically: Assess not just whether goals were met, but why, and if the changes will be sustained over time.
Encourage Volunteerism: Foster a culture of community service, emphasizing that even small actions can make a big difference.
Stay Connected to Your "Why": Remember your personal connection to community work. Let it fuel your passion and drive your efforts!

Charting the Course: The Ongoing Journey of Community Engagement

Becki Begley's insights offer keys for effective community engagement. From the importance of clear communication and strategic partnerships to the value of local government involvement and volunteerism, her experiences provide a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to make a difference in their community.

As we face increasingly complex social and environmental challenges, the need for effective community engagement has never been more pressing. Becki's insights and examples inspire us to take action, foster connections, and create positive change in our neighborhoods and beyond. The path to a stronger community starts with each one of us, and the time to begin is now.

Additional Resources:

Explore these resources to improve your understanding of community engagement programs and local governance:

DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: The Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a biannual event that provides a safe and convenient way for people to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. This initiative aims to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths by removing potentially dangerous drugs from homes.
North Texas Council of Governments: A voluntary association of local governments in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region. It serves 16 counties and assists member governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating regional development.
Texas Regional Council of Governments: A statewide organization that represents and supports the 24 regional councils of governments in Texas. These councils work to strengthen local governments and promote regional cooperation across the state.
Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments: A voluntary association of local governments and elected officials from the 13-county Gulf Coast Planning region of Texas. It works on issues such as transportation planning, environmental quality, and workforce development to enhance the quality of life in the greater Houston-Galveston area.