COURSE OVERVIEW

Presidential Memo: Government should be transparent Government should be participatory Government should be collaborative Why? such openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government. 21 January 2009

History of Public Participation & Collaboration in the Corps 1970s Public Involvement/Public Participation – Primarily CW –USACE is USG Leader in PI – Interagency White House council on PI –USACE Training sets USG standard –Reduced PI focus in favor of cost sharing; Planning emphasis decreases 1980s-1990s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) –Partnering creates a nat’l movement in construction; achieves 50% /yr reduction in Claims ($500 million/yr) – little CW –USACE Training sets USG standard –Hammer Award presented by VP Gore; USACE cancels Program

2000s – Environmental Conflict Resolution (ECR), Collaboration & Technology –Annual reports on Use of Environmental Conflict Resolution –Shared Vision Planning linked within Collaborative Process Toolkit –Transparency & public Involvement aligns with Web technologies History of Public Participation & Collaboration in the Corps

Today: Collaboration is a centerpiece to achieving goals of the CW program “We will broaden our collaboration with others to enhance the chances of balancing water uses and making wise investments and trade-offs decisions..” JP Woodley and Chief USACE March 2004, CW Strategic Plan. "We are seeking 'good government' that can be described as ‘……. better, smarter, collaborative, and transparent“ Deputy ASACW, Rock Salt An area of special interest for USACE: “A strategic direction and operational goals for interagency and stakeholder collaboration …[and] a transparent operating environment” ASA-CW, JoEllen Darcy

“As we transform USACE from ‘Good to Great,’ we must –learn how to communicate with our stakeholders and the public, –understand and communicate risk, and –engage the public in order to make more informed decisions.” - Lt. Gen. Van Antwerp

USACE Campaign Plan: Objective 2b: Implement collaborative approaches (with partners and stakeholders) to effectively solve water resource problems. Objective 4b: Communicate strategically and transparently (with employees, stakeholders and the public)

and many others… CW Strategic Plan Watershed Approach, Envi Operating Principles Planning in Collaborative Environment EC Newly developed Draft Principles and Standards Actions for Change program plan 2010 Summer SLC focused on “soft skills”

Course Overview TuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday Teams Values Present Communications Plans Communicating Risk & Key Messages Active Listening Case Study Introduction* Planning Process & Public Involvement Prepare Communications Plans Course Review, Test, Evaluation & Feedback Welcome, Introductions, Small Talk, Pretest, Course Overview & Objectives Public Participation Plans Media Training Facilitation Interactive MeetingsMock Public meeting Communication Basics Class Dinner

The Thinking Process What are the issues and who are the stakeholders for this decision? What is the level of controversy? What level of participation is required? Analyze the exchange of information that should take place at each step in the planning process Identify appropriate involvement techniques to meet the planning step objectives Develop a plan integrating the techniques

COURSE OVERVIEW Work Books –Organized by a.m. & p.m. –Appendices References: Facilitation, etc. Topic Evaluations Bibliography Instructor’s Bios

COURSE OVERVIEW Case Studies Group Exercises –Presentation of content –Exercise –Group presentations Participation is a must