#bhumpublic There are five key stepsin the planning process, each of which is discussed below: 1. Organize for Participation 2. Identify and Get to Know Your Stakeholders 3. Pick an Appropriate Level of Public Participation 4. Integrate Public Participation in the Decision Process 5. Match Public Participation Tools to Objectives Throughout the Process Step 1. Organize for Participation Ensure that public input is possible The first step in planning for public participation is to ensure that you are seeking to obtain and use public input and not merely seeking public buy-in to an already determined outcome. The Importance of Relationships You cannot effectively participate with people you do not know. Formal public hearings where agency staff never actually meet or interact with the public often fail because there are simply no relationships upon which to base communication. Relationships define the ability to fully understand one another and give proper consideration to one another’s needs, issues, and concerns. In designing a public participation program, you need to pay a great deal of attention to creating the opportunities to get to know key stakeholders and create the kinds of dialogue spaces necessary to build trust and understanding. If there is little or no room for public influence over the decision, then public participation is not a reasonable option for your project. Instead, you should consider a public information or public relations project appropriate to your needs, timing, and circumstances. Ensure that the sponsor agency is committed and able toinvolve the public Once it is determined that real public participation is your intent, it is important to engage all levels of the sponsor organization, especially the decision-makers, to understand their willingness to engage the public in the decision or action, and what the organization is seeking to gain from public participation. Factors to consider include: Are decision-makers open to and committed to considering public input in the decision process? Are there constraints around the decision that limit the ability to engage the public? What will a “successful” decision look like? Are there conflicting or competing priorities or goals within the sponsor organization? Are there unspoken interests or hidden agendas? Will the sponsor agency commit the necessary resources? Can the required staff commit the necessary time? Is there internal public participation capability? If not, can it be developed with additional training? Is the sponsor willing to contract for the expertise needed? To what extent will the decision-maker and key project personnel commit to public participation? What needs to be done to affirm and strengthen this commitment? Identify where public input is desired and possible It is not always possible for the public to be involved in all major decisions, or in all aspects of any given decision or action. It is essential for an agency to clarify for itself the specific issues and questions where public input is desired and where the public can have influence. Any constraints to public input need to be identified. The more clearly you articulate the areas for input, the more meaningful the ultimate input will be. Assess and assemble needed skills A wide variety of skills and experience are required to plan and implement meaningful public participation. Paramount among these are: Communication. The ability to identify and to portray the information that the public requires in order to participate meaningfully. The ability to listen for and understand the public’s interests and concerns. Facilitation.The ability to recognize the importance, role and appropriate use of a facilitative presence and apply it effectively in facilitating both the overall process and specific events. Conflict Management. The ability to recognize the role of conflict in reaching a final solution and to work through and manage conflict situations. Identify and commit needed resources Identify the individuals, resources, organizations, and contractors that you will need to conduct the various facets of public participation and meet your promise to the public. Identify any training and development that is necessary for the team to succeed. Get these in place early so that all team members can plan together and begin developing needed stakeholder relationships. Consider working directly with your stakeholders to design your public participaton program. This will dramatically improve stakeholder understanding and support of the process.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 05:03:39 +0000
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