Leading the Way Toward More Collaborative Local Governance

Main Points Local governance (vs. government) Traditional Local Governance The nature of modern community problems Collaborative Local Governance Debate & Discussion vs. Dialogue & Deliberation Tips for local leaders Leading the way – opportunity is knocking

Local Governance More than government Addressing local issues   Surfacing, naming and framing issues   Dialogue and deliberation about responses to issues   Generating alternative responses   Choosing a course of action Participants   Local elected officials   Citizens   The civic sector (community organizations & institutions)

Traditional Local Governance Issues often named and framed only by elected officials and established stakeholders & groups “Whole community” engagement rare Positions on issues often taken, promoted, defended Discussion, debate to defend, promote positions Polarization can lead to a win-lose dynamic

Traditional Local Governance Roles Elected Local Officials   surfacing, naming, framing, discussion, debate, decision- making Civic Sector   surfacing, naming, framing, adopting & promoting positions Citizens   voting, reacting to alternatives or decisions already made

Problem Types Problem Type Problem Definition Problem Solution Responsible Parties IClear Expert IIClearUnclearExpert Constituent IIIUnclear Various/ Collaboration (Michael Huggins, Public Collaboration Associates, 2013)

Wicked Problems (Type III) Complex, interdependent issues Lack a clear problem definition Conflicting values and perspectives Multiple stakeholders No right or wrong, only better or worse Key to success is collaboration & engagement

Collaborative Local Governance Addressing community issues as a community-wide responsibility and activity   elected officials, citizens, and community organizations and institutions all have a role…and a responsibility…to engage Underlying assumptions   Regardless of demographic makeup, communities are highly diverse, in terms of needs and perspectives   The best local policy decisions are those which are well- informed by the broadest set of perspectives, and which address the broadest set of community needs

Collaborative Local Governance Roles Local Elected Officials   Convene and participate in community dialogues, learn, deliberate, generate alternative responses, make decisions Civic Sector   Convene and participate in community dialogues, learn, deliberate, and participate in generating alternative responses Citizens   Participate in community dialogues, learn, deliberate, and participate in generating alternative responses

Debate & Discussion vs. Dialogue and Deliberation (Taken, in part, from a PPT from Eric Giordano, WIPPS, 2013) DebateDiscussionDialogueDeliberation Compete Argue Promote Opinion See Majority Persuade/Dig in Tight Structure Express Usually fast Clarifies Win/Lose Exchange Discuss Build relationships Understand Reach across Loose structure Listen Usually slow Clarifies No decision Search for shared meaning Inquire, explore, discover Share stories, perspectives, and experiences Listen to learn Examine assumptions Explore alternative points of view Weigh alternatives Choose Make choices Seek overlap Seek common ground Flexible structure Learn Usually slow Clarifies Make decisions

Tips for Local Leaders Work to establish a civil local governance environment Elected officials often want to engage more effectively but often don’t know how…teach and encourage them Start with a small, non-controversial issue to develop confidence and momentum Find the champions and deliberation entrepreneurs, get them involved, and get their support Share your successes Remember that credit for success is infinitely divisible Try to make collaborative governance a community habit

Leadership Opportunities If you’re an elected official, talk to your colleagues If you’re not, talk to your elected officials Start talking about collaborative governance locally Start a local civility project Become a trained dialogue facilitator Tap into a network…read, learn, share Convene an community issue dialogue, but start small and with a ‘cool’ or inert issue

Leading the Way Toward More Collaborative Local Governance