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) 971-3033dmiller@civiccollaboration.comwww.civiccollaboration.com

National Coalition for Dialogue & DeliberationNcdd.org/rc/pe-resource-guide

International Association of Public Participationhttp://www.iap2.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=5