MOVING BEYOND THE TOWN HALL: KEY STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Presentation to TAGD June 27, 2012
How do we move from this…
To this…
Public Engagement Stories
In pairs, share stories for about 1.5 minutes each
One person share a brief story of a situation where the public engagement went ALL WRONG!
One person share a brief story of a situation where the public engagement was DONE RIGHT!
What we’ll talk about today…
Changing views Principles Spectrum of engagement
activities Designing effective processes
Public Engagement Is Not
Selling the public on… Getting votes for… Convincing the public to…. A meeting to complain/find fault with…The three minute citizen communication at a council meeting A process where staff/non-profit controls
outcome
The public should have a say in decisions about actions that could affect their lives.
• Gives away power• Allow others to define
needs• Consumers not
creators• Think in terms of I/Me• Wants services
without bearing costs
• Accountable• Committed• Determines the
future• Exercises ownership• Acknowledges
change will come through citizens
“CUSTOMER” “CITIZEN”
CHANGING VIEWS
• Partner/Consultant• Open to alternative
ideas• Understand importance
of citizen values• Let go of controlling
outcomes – move “control” to process
• Listen
• Look “outward” rather than “inward/upward”
• Don’t have to know all the answers / control outcome
• Be open to new ideas
• Know when to follow
• Understand the power of “process”
• Listen
STAFF ELECTEDS
CHANGING BEHAVIORS
Why it’s hard…
Distrust, cynicism and apathy Requires new mindset / skills / behaviors Perceived loss of control
• More credible, lasting decisions
• Provides “cover” • Faster program
implementation (long run)
• Less “blowback”• More creative
decisions• More informed
residents• Opportunity for
community building
• May take longer to make decisions (in short run)
• May be more expensive (in short run)
BENEFITS CHALLENGES
BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
Core Principles for Public Engagement
Careful planning and preparation
Inclusion and demographic diversity
Collaboration and shared purpose
Openness and learning
Transparency and trust
Impact and action Sustained
engagement and participatory culture
From National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation
IAP2 Public engagement spectrum
GOAL
Increasing Level of Public Impact
Inform
To provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities and/or solutions.
Consult
To obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives and/or decisions.
Involve
To work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that the public concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered.
Collaborate
To provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities and/or solutions.
Empower
To place final decision-making power in the hands of the public.
IAP2 Public engagement spectrum
PROMISE
Increasing Level of Public Impact
Inform
We will keep you informed.
Consult
We will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and aspirations, and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.
Involve
We will work to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are directly reflected in the alternatives developed and provide feedback on how input influenced the decision.
Collaborate
We will look to you for advice and innovation in formulating solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decision to the maximum extent possible.
Empower
We will implement what you decide.
IAP2 Public engagement spectrum
Techniques
Increasing Level of Public Impact
Inform
• Fact Sheets
• Web sites• Newsletter• Presentati
ons• Radio• Press
release• Recorded
hotline
Consult
• Public comment
• Focus groups
• Open houses
• Surveys• Public
meetings
Involve
• Workshops
• Deliberative polling or forums
• Charrettes
Collaborate
• Citizen advisory committees
• Consensus-building
• Participatory decision-making
Empower
• Ballots• Citizen
juries• Delegated
decisions
Communication: One-way Two-WayMulti-Way
Feedback Loops: None FewMany
Identify Purpose /
Goals
Implement and
Manage
Design Process
Identify Stakeholde
rs
Conduct Situation
Assessment
Select Types of
Engagement
Evaluate ResultsFeed information gained & lessons learned back to decision-making
process
Questions before beginning a public engagement process:
Are we ready? Do we know exactly what our goals are in going before the public?
How will we use the results? Are we prepared to “take hands off the
wheel” of engagement results? (Control moves from outcome to process.)
Are we going to the public early enough in the decision-making process?
Do we have budget monies/alternative preparations to do adequate outreach and information preparation?
Suggested Meeting Steps:
1.Framing the issue2.Build relationships3.Discuss hopes and dreams4.Focus on possibilities (and “assets”)5.Have real conversations6.Don’t push for resolution prematurely
What we talked about today…
Changing views Principles Spectrum of engagement
activities Designing effective processes
Resources and Contact information
Diane Miller(512) [email protected]
National Coalition for Dialogue & DeliberationNcdd.org/rc/pe-resource-guide
International Association of Public Participationhttp://www.iap2.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=5