1. MOVING
BEYOND THE
TOWN HALL:
KEY STRATEGIES FOR
SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC
ENGAGEMENT
Presentation to TAGD June 27,
2012

2. How do we move from this…

3. To this…

4. 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!

5. What we’ll talk about today…
 Changing views
 Principles
 Spectrum of engagement activities
 Designing effective processes

6. 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

7. The public should have a say in
decisions about actions that could
affect their lives.

8. CHANGING VIEWS
“CUSTOMER” “CITIZEN”
• Gives away power • Accountable
• Allow others to • Committed
define needs • Determines the
• Consumers not future
creators • Exercises ownership
• Think in terms of • Acknowledges
I/Me change will come
• Wants services through citizens
without bearing costs

9. CHANGING BEHAVIORS
STAFF ELECTEDS
• Partner/Consultant • Look “outward” rather
• Open to alternative than “inward/upward”
ideas
• Don’t have to know all
• Understand the answers / control
importance of citizen
values outcome
• Let go of controlling • Be open to new ideas
outcomes – move • Know when to follow
“control” to process • Understand the power
• Listen of “process”
• Listen

10. Why it’s hard…
 Distrust, cynicism and apathy
 Requires new mindset / skills / behaviors
 Perceived loss of control

11. BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
BENEFITS CHALLENGES
• More credible, lasting • May take longer to
decisions make decisions (in
• Provides “cover” short run)
• Faster program • May be more
implementation (long expensive (in short
run) run)
• Less “blowback”
• More creative
decisions
• More informed

12. Core Principles for Public
Engagement
 Careful planning  Transparency and
and preparation trust
 Inclusion and  Impact and action
demographic  Sustained
diversity engagement and
 Collaboration and participatory culture
shared purpose
 Openness and
learning
From National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation

13. IAP2 Public engagement
spectrum
Increasing Level of Public Impact
Inform Consult Involve Collabora Empower
te
To provide To obtain To work To place final
G Lthe public public directly with To provide the decision-
O with feedback on the public public with making power
balanced and analysis, alter throughout balanced and in the hands
A
objective natives the process objective of the public.
information to and/or to ensure that information to
assist them decisions. the public assist them in
in concerns and understanding
understandin aspirations the problem,
g the are alternatives,
problem, alte consistently opportunities
rnatives, opp understood and/or
ortunities and solutions.

14. IAP2 Public engagement
spectrum
Increasing Level of Public Impact
Inform Consult Involve Collabora Empower
te
We will keep We will keep We will work We will
P I you informed. you informed, to ensure that We will look to implement
R S listen to and your you for advice what you
acknowledge concerns and and decide.
O E
concerns and aspirations innovation in
M aspirations, are directly formulating
and provide reflected in solutions and
feedback on the incorporate
how public alternatives your advice
input developed and
influenced and provide recommendati
the decision. feedback on ons into the
how input decision to

15. IAP2 Public engagement
spectrum
Increasing Level of Public Impact
Inform Consult Involve Collabora Empower
te
• Fact Sheets • Public • Workshop • Ballots
T q
• Web sites comment s • Citizen • Citizen
e u• Newsletter • Focus • Deliberativ juries
advisory
c e• Presentatio groups e polling or • Delegated
committees
h s ns • Open forums • Consensus decisions
n • Radio houses • Charrettes -building
• Press • Surveys • Participator
i
release • Public y decision-
• Recorded meetings making
hotline
Communication: One-way Two-Way Multi-Way
Feedback Loops: None Few Many

16. Identify Conduct
Identify
Purpose / Situation
Stakeholders
Goals Assessment
Select Types
Implement Design
of
and Manage Process
Engagement
Evaluate Results
Feed information gained & lessons learned
back to decision-making process

17. 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?

18. Suggested Meeting Steps:
1.Framing the issue
2.Build relationships
3.Discuss hopes and dreams
4.Focus on possibilities (and “assets”)
5.Have real conversations
6.Don’t push for resolution prematurely

19. What we talked about today…
 Changing views
 Principles
 Spectrum of engagement activities
 Designing effective processes

20. Resources and Contact
information
National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation
Ncdd.org/rc/pe-resource-guide
International Association of Public Participation
http://www.iap2.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=5
Diane Miller
(512) 971-3033
dmiller@civiccollaboration.com
www.civiccollaboration.com