No matter the size of your jurisdiction or the particular policy issue you are grappling with, there is a growing expectation that effective solutions will require more participatory and transparent processes. How can local governments most effectively engage the full diversity and creativity of their community voices as they navigate their way forward through tough issues? This can be a challenging undertaking, but managed effectively, public involvement on important decisions can lead to more creative, sustainable solutions.

Figuring out the purpose of the public’s participation will influence the approach. You’ll have time during the day to consider both.Class will be interactive and allow time for reflection and possibly work with a real-time example. Come to class with something specific in mind if you want to leave with a potential engagement plan for your community.

By the end of the training, both professional staff and elected official participants will be able to:

• Identify reasons and context for better public engagement
• Understand why history/ culture/ identity are essential elements of good, effective, sustainable policy and why our traditional processes don’t work to incorporate these
• Contrast “old” and “new” models policymaking including the role of residents and government in decision-making
• And more

This training, one in a series of one day courses offered through the School of Government’s Center for Public Leadership and Governance, is taught by guest lecturer Ashley Labosier, the Executive Director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at Pepperdine University. For more information, click here.