1. Engaging the Public in Sustainable Decision Making
Steven Wolf, MCP3

2. The Decision Making and Public engagement Environment

3. Public Decision Environment
Assumption you have a public mandate
Assumption public is well informed and understands the need
Assumption public is not paying attention
Overwhelming task and limited resources
Decide and Defend

4. Community Engagement Challenges
Only formal government decision making processes are used for public information and engagement
Over reliance on technical analysis only
Failure to plan and budget for engagement

5. Hope is on the way

6. Public Participation Industry & Standards
Public participation (P2) is an established industry and growing professional practice
It’s not PR, public affairs or simple public information
The International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) is the standard bearer of P2
Initiated in the USA, 30 years in practice
P2 Foundations Training (certificate)
Certified and Master Certifications (CP3 and MCP3)
Source: Dr. Covello, Director Center for Risk Communication

7. P2 Trends
P2 is routine and common component of public decision making particularly with infrastructure projects in majority of U.S. states
IAP2 credentials (either training or certification) is showing up in RFPs for required credentials
IAP2 practices and techniques are required by municipal code in Canada and Australia
Source: Dr. Covello, Director Center for Risk Communication

8. IAP2 Core Values
Public participation is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process.
Public participation includes the promise that the public’s contribution will influence the decision.
Public participation promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and communicating the needs and interests of all participants, including decision makers.
Source: Dr. Covello, Director Center for Risk Communication

9. IAP2 Core Values
Public participation seeks out and facilitates the participation of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision.
Public participation seeks input from participants in designing how they participate.
Public participation provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.
Public participation communicates to participants how their input affected the decision.
Source: Dr. Covello, Director Center for Risk Communication

10. IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum
Source: Dr. Covello, Director Center for Risk Communication

11. P2 Keys to Success Have a P2 plan or strategy
Public Meetings are not a strategy
Leading vs. following regulations
Citizen panels are the most credible means to achieving community buy-in
Transparency and high visibility of P2 process
Distinguishing between wants and needs
Be humble and let citizens take as much ownership and credit for the decision as possible
Source: Dr. Covello, Director Center for Risk Communication

12. Discussion
There are six key considerations in formulating a message, knowing:
What to say;
Who to say it to;
Why to say it;
Where to say it;
When to say it; and
How to say it.
Source: Dr. Covello, Director Center for Risk Communication

13. Steve Wolf, MCP3
JEO Consulting Group