INTRODUCTION

Internal communication is about ensuring that everyone within the organization is clear about the purpose of the business. Internal communication refers to the exchange of information, ideas, and messages within an organization, facilitating collaboration, engagement, and alignment among employees, departments, and stakeholders. It encompasses various channels, such as intranet, email, town hall meetings, and team briefings, to share organizational goals, policies, and updates. Effective internal communication fosters a culture of transparency, trust, and inclusivity, promoting employee productivity, job satisfaction, and retention. In the context of the University of Johannesburg's Community Engagement office, internal communication ensured seamless coordination among team members, facilitated knowledge sharing, and aligned efforts towards achieving community outreach and social responsibility objectives.. For the period that I have served at Community engagement at university of Johannesburg for the past three months. I obtained helpful knowledge about the importance of internal communication in every organization. I have focused on many aspects of internal communication, one which is a listening skill. As a volunteer student I was working closely with my mentor and had to listen to what he would ask me to do in order to grow the organization. It was a bit challenging but helpful because there would be a lot of tasks and hinders such as network, Internet connection and too much work load. I had to be active at most times on the organization’s Facebook page, engage with people on social media and listen to what they had to say then report back to my mentor. As we are focusing on internal communication , we used 2 types to communicate whereby we hosted physical and virtual meetings and also used WhatsApp to communicate as internal stakeholders.

REFLECTION REPORT

WhatsApp groups became the central hub for disseminating critical information related to the project, including meeting schedules, updates on activities, and important deadlines. The group acted as a readily accessible platform for the team to stay informed and aligned with the project's progress. This ensured that everyone was on the same page, regardless of their specific role or location.

Beyond information sharing, the groups fostered a collaborative environment where team members could actively engage in discussions, share ideas, and work together on specific tasks. The ease of communication facilitated by WhatsApp enabled quick brainstorming sessions, problem-solving discussions, and efficient task delegation among team members.

WhatsApp groups served as a valuable repository for sharing essential resources, such as documents, presentations, and links to relevant articles or websites. This centralized access to vital materials allowed team members to efficiently gather the necessary information for completing tasks and contributing to the project's success. The ability to share resources in a convenient and accessible manner streamlined the workflow and enhanced productivity. 

WhatsApp groups facilitated a continuous feedback loop, allowing team members to share their perspectives, suggest improvements, and provide constructive criticism. This open communication channel encouraged a culture of transparency and accountability, enabling the team to learn from each other's experiences and collectively improve the project's outcomes. The group served as a platform for fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. 

One significant challenge encountered during the community engagement project was managing information overload within the WhatsApp groups. With numerous team members actively engaging in discussions and sharing updates, the group quickly became saturated with messages. The constant influx of information could be overwhelming, making it difficult for individuals to stay focused on relevant discussions and to identify essential updates. Filtering through the noise to access critical information was a persistent challenge, potentially leading to miscommunication or missed deadlines. 

The WhatsApp groups also played a role in building stronger relationships with the community members we were working with. The platform allowed us to connect with individuals and community leaders, share updates about the project's progress, and seek feedback on our initiatives. This facilitated a more direct and personal communication channel, leading to a deeper understanding of the community's needs and concerns.

For instance, we used the group to share photos and videos of our project activities, allowing community members to see firsthand the positive impact of our efforts. We also used the group to address any concerns or questions raised by community members, ensuring they felt heard and valued. This open communication fostered a sense of trust and partnership between the university team and the community, strengthening the relationship and promoting long-term engagement.