Public Participation for Executives and Decision Makers What, Why and How to Involve Others in your Decisions

Course Goals How Public Participation ties into your Decision-Making When and Why the Public should take part in your Decisions … and when NOT Your unique Role and Commitment Key Concepts that must be Considered to be Effective when Involving Others Student Page 4

Course Goals How Public Participation ties into your Decision-Making When and Why the Public should take part in your Decisions … and when NOT Your unique Role and Commitment Key Concepts that must be Considered to be Effective when Involving Others Student Page 4

Agenda What is Public Participation? Why Involve the Public? When Not to Involve the Public. Critical Components and Considerations The Decision-Maker’s and Leader’s Role Summary Student Page 5

Agenda What is Public Participation? Why Involve the Public? When Not to Involve the Public Critical Components and Considerations The Decision-Maker’s and Leader’s Role Summary Student Page 5

What is Public Participation? Public Participation DOES NOT mean giving up control or authority

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Agenda What is Public Participation? Why Involve the Public? When Not to Involve the Public Critical Components and Considerations The Decision-Maker’s and Leader’s Role Summary Student Page 5

Why Involve the Public? It’s Required You’re Frustrated or Desperate There’s Value in Doing so It’s to Your Advantage Student page 8

Why Involve the Public? It’s Required It’s the Law Student page 8

Why Involve the Public? You’re Frustrated or Desperate Public opposition Lawsuits Controversy is Expensive and Time-Consuming Student Page 9

Why Involve the Public? Student Page 11

Why Involve the Public? What are the risks of NOT doing so? Public sentiment before a proposal Student Page 11

Why Involve the Public? What are the risks of NOT doing so? Public sentiment with specific proposal Student Page 11

Why Involve the Public? What are the risks of NOT doing so? Student Page 11

Why Involve the Public? There’s Value in Doing So Avoids controversy and public veto Improves processes and decisions: Early warning system Better understanding of the task More information and more perspectives Mutual understanding Feedback on potential impacts Student Page 12

Why Involve the Public? It’s to Your Advantage Helps Manage Single-Issue Views Motivated Advocates Free Consultants Builds Relationships Student Page 16

Agenda What is Public Participation? Why Involve the Public? When Not to Involve the Public Critical Components and Considerations The Decision-Maker’s and Leader’s Role Summary

When Not to Involve the Public When you won’t/can’t consider their opinion If you can only keep people informed, don’t promise more Student Page 17

Agenda What is Public Participation? Why Involve the Public? When Not to Involve the Public Critical Components and Considerations The Decision-Maker’s and Leader’s Role Summary

Critical Components and Considerations Clarify the Decision and Decision-Making Process Understand Who Needs to Be Involved Determine the Level of Public Participation Embrace the Core Values of Public Participation Ensure Your Public Participation Process Reflects Values and Resources, is Aligned with the Decision Process, and is Driven by the Public Participation Objectives Evaluate and Adapt – Continuously Student page 8

Critical Components and Considerations Clarify the Decision and Decision-Making Process Student Page 19

Critical Components and Considerations Clarify the Decision and Decision-Making Process Student Page 23

Critical Components and Considerations Understand Who Needs to Be Involved Orbits of participation Student Page 24

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Critical Components and Considerations Determine the Level of Public Participation Consider: Level of Controversy? Level of Trust/Distrust? Impact on the Public? Can the Public Influence the Decision? Complexity and Difficulty Student Page 31

Critical Components and Considerations Embrace the Core Values of Public Participation The public should have a say in decisions about actions that could affect their lives Public participation includes the promise that the public’s contribution will influence the decision Student Page 24

Critical Components and Considerations Embrace the Core Values of Public Participation The public participation process promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and communicating the needs and interests of all participants, including decision makers The public participation process seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision Student Page 24

Critical Components and Considerations Embrace the Core Values of Public Participation The public participation process seeks input from participants in designing how they participate The public participation process provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way The public participation process communicates to participants how their input affected the decision Student Page 33

Critical Components and Considerations Ensure Your Public Participation Process Reflects Values and Resources, is Aligned with the Decision Process, and is Driven by the Public Participation Objectives Student Page 24

Critical Components and Considerations Evaluate and Adapt – Continuously Student Page 24

Agenda What is Public Participation? Why Involve the Public? When Not to Involve the Public Critical Components and Considerations The Decision-Maker’s and Leader’s Role Summary

Decision-Maker’s and Leader’s Role Consider the Input Be Clear about the Process and Public’s Role Be Clear about Non-Negotiable Items Don’t Make Promises you Cannot Keep Student Page 40

Decision-Maker’s and Leader’s Role Keep Your Promises Honor the Core Values Provide the Time and Resources You’re Responsible for the Process Integrity Student Page 40

Decision-Maker’s and Leader’s Role Other roles and commitments Other roles and commitments Relationships Content Process Student Page 41

Agenda What is Public Participation? Why Involve the Public? When Not to Involve the Public Critical Components and Considerations The Decision-Maker’s and Leader’s Role Summary

Summary Public Participation The Public Needs Improves Decisions Brings new Views and Knowledge Makes Projects More Effective The Public Needs Your Commitment Clarity on the Decision, Public’s Role, your Objectives Access A Good Process Student Page 42

“Never underestimate the will or resourcefulness of people who are snowed in half the year.” — Steve Lopez, on the efforts of Wisconsin residents to block Perrier’s proposed bottling plant