Communication and Interaction

Question 1

Tips for Equitable Digital Engagement

Answer 1

1) Digital outreach should be mobile app compatible
2) Provide mobile hotspots to supplement internet services
3) Standardize public engagement practices
4) Overcome bias against digital comm.
5) Phone interviews and mailed surveys with postage-paid return envelopes are still useful feedback options

Question 2

Paul Davidoff

Answer 2

Advocacy Planning

Question 3

Sherry Arnstein

Answer 3

Ladder of participation

Question 4

Saul Alinksy

Answer 4

Rules for Rebels, Community Oranizing

Question 5

Surveys

Answer 5

• Good for understanding perceptions; gauge attitudes
• Not about consensus building
• Internet-based surveys not a good way to reach elderly/poor
• Mail surveys have low response rates

Question 6

Focus Groups

Answer 6

• Help to build consensus
• For controversial social issues: facilitate sessions with small groups
• Good for discussing plan concepts before drafting plan
• Good for committee with a specific task

Question 7

Delphi Technique

Answer 7

• Developed by by RAND in the 1950s
• Experts respond to questionnaire
• Reiterative process that reduces the range of responses
• Arrive at a consensus

Question 8

Public Meetings

Answer 8

Conventional Practice:
- Speaker/expert focused
- Citizens air concerns
- “usual suspects”
- no group discussion
- individual testimony/final report

Current Practice:
- Participant focused
- Shared ideas + prioritization
- Participant recruitment/facilitated small group discussion
- Real-time polling

Question 9

How Public Participation Breaks Down

Answer 9

• Lack of trust
• Fear of change
• Exclusion
• Opposing views
• Specialty silos
• Endless, unproductive meetings

Question 10

Charrette Process

Answer 10

• Build trust
• Embed people in design process
• Change perceptions via collaborative design
• Bring people together to solve problems
• Time-compression - sense of urgency
• Third-party facilitation

Question 11

Forms of Municipal Government

Answer 11

Weak Mayor - Council (the mayor has limited powers when it comes to city admin, the council has executive authority)
Strong Mayor - Council
Commission Plan
Council - Manager (appointed)