As we welcome March, local governments across the country have plenty of opportunities to connect with their communities. From reminders about Daylight Saving Time to celebrating 311 Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and preparing for lingering winter weather, effective communication is key to keeping residents informed and engaged.

With a municipality-branded mobile app and citizen notifications, local governments can deliver timely updates and engage residents when it matters most. Let’s explore the important dates and ways to keep your community in the know this March.

🌞 Spring Forward: Daylight Saving Time (March 9)

March brings longer days and a much-needed boost of sunshine! Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 9, at 2:00 AM. This is the perfect opportunity to remind residents to set their clocks forward and prepare for a schedule shift.

📢 How to Engage Residents:
✅ Send a push notification the day before as a friendly reminder.
✅ Share fire safety tips, such as checking smoke detector batteries.
✅ Post on social media about adjusting schedules for public services.

📌 Example Notification:
Title: Don't Forget to Spring Forward!
Tagline: Daylight Saving Time starts soon
Message: Set your clocks forward one hour this Sunday, March 9, at 2:00 AM. Enjoy longer daylight hours! 🌞

📞 311 Day: Celebrating Citizen Engagement (March 11)

March 11 is National 311 Day, a great opportunity to highlight your citizen request system and encourage residents to take advantage of it. Whether it’s reporting potholes, requesting streetlight repairs, or submitting service requests, a modern 311 system makes engagement easy and efficient.

📢 How to Engage Residents:
✅ Send a notification encouraging residents to submit non-emergency requests via your mobile app.
✅ Highlight common 311 requests and how they benefit the community.
✅ Educate residents on how to track their requests in real-time.

📌 Example Notification:
Title: Happy 311 Day! Report Issues with Ease
Tagline: Your direct line to local government
Message: Potholes? Streetlight out? Use our app to submit service requests anytime, anywhere. Stay engaged and help improve our community!

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Festivities & Safety (March 17)

St. Patrick’s Day is a time for festive celebrations, parades, and community events. It’s also important to remind residents about safety, road closures, and public event schedules to ensure everyone enjoys the holiday responsibly.

📢 How to Engage Residents:
✅ Send out event notifications and road closure updates.
✅ Share public safety tips for those attending celebrations.
✅ Remind residents to use public transportation or designated drivers if needed.

📌 Example Notification:
Title: St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Road Closures
Tagline: Plan ahead for the festivities
Message: The St. Patrick’s Day parade is happening on March 17! Expect road closures from 10 AM to 2 PM. Check the app for full event details. 🍀

❄️ Winter’s Not Over Yet: Weather Alerts & Safety Tips

While spring is on the horizon, winter weather is still impacting many parts of the country. Snowstorms, icy roads, and freezing temperatures can create hazards, making real-time notifications crucial for resident safety.

📢 How to Engage Residents:
✅ Provide updates on snow removal and emergency road closures.
✅ Remind residents about cold weather safety and preparedness.
✅ Notify them of warming centers and public resources when needed.

📌 Example Notification:
Title: Winter Storm Warning in Effect
Tagline: Stay safe and be prepared
Message: A winter storm is expected this weekend. Stay off the roads if possible, and check our app for snow removal updates and emergency resources. ❄️

Stay Connected & Keep Residents Engaged

March is full of opportunities for local governments to strengthen community engagement. With timely notifications and a municipality-branded mobile app, keeping residents informed has never been easier.

�Looking to modernize your community engagement? Learn how GOGov Citizen Notifications can help your local government stay connected all year long.

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