Challenges and Attendance

It's been a whirlwind summer. 

I spent all of yesterday on the train, returning from a small, rural community in northeast Montana.  I facilitated a meeting there on river issues, and, unfortunately, participation for that meeting was quite low.

We anticipated low participation, and yet various political constraints dictated that we go ahead an conduct the meeting even though we knew attendance was likely to be higher a month later (the date originally suggested).   We couldn't provide travel funds, but we did provide a dinner during one of the presentations.

As we discussed what these attendance challenges might be, we came up with a few ideas:

• Late summer vacations prior to school starting
  
• Grain harvest operations keeping key agricultural stakeholders at home
  
• Lack of adequate lead time to allow for word-of-mouth advertising
  
• Length of meeting during the week (4pm-9pm on a Tuesday. A Saturday meeting was discussed, but the only thing more difficult than generating participation in Montana in the summer is generating participation on a Saturday!)

Some of these issues are about timing, geography, and cultural norms.  What are some of the challenges you all have when trying to generate participation?

IAP2 International Annual Conference

Top 10 Reasons to Attend the IAP2 International Annual Conference in San Diego on September 21 – 23, 2009:

1. Opportunity to network with your peers
2. Quality programming, more than 70 presentations
3. State-of-the-industry topics – Keep current on P2 trends
4. Economical – budget-friendly. Take advantage of early bird registration. Airfares are at historic lows, check www.kayak.com or www.wholesaleflights.com and any of the major airlines web sites
5. Pre-conference training available
6. Bring the family and take advantage of low off-season specials on all the attractions
7. Interesting field trips and movies
8. Invest in yourself, your career, your industry and your future
9. Core Values Awards Dinner
10. Variety of convenient sessions (1 and 2-hour)

Making Sustainable Decisions, Theme of 2009
International Association for Public Participation International Conference

How do you make sustainable decisions? The answer to this and other thought provoking questions are part of the 17th Annual International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Conference to be held in San Diego, CA, September 21-23, 2009. During this three-day conference held at the Westin San Diego on Broadway, more than 70 presentations, a keynote luncheon and trade show exhibitors will explore the many facets of sustainable decision-making. Conference sessions are geared for beginner, intermediate, and advanced practitioners in public participation. Here are some highlights of topics and presenters:

• Marine Protection presented by Peter Halmay, co-chair of the Fisherman’s Working Group in San Diego
• Facebook: Fad or Future? presented by Martin J. Cowling, People First – Total Solutions
• Community Forums presented by Janet D. Fiero, Ph.D. & Jesse Sostrin, Ph.D., AmericaSpeaks
• Sustainable Conversations presented by DeAnna Martin, Center for Wise Democracy
• Outreaching Partnering in Africa presented by Claire R. Mendelsohn, US Air Force Western
• Regional Environmental Office
• Dare to Dream! Exploring a New Era of Public Engagement presented by Sandy Heierbacher, National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation, Myriam Laberge and Brenda Chaddock, Masterful Facilitation Institute

Registration is now open for the conference at www.iap2.org. Early bird conference cost for members is $560 and cost for non members $660. “The 2009 IAP2 conference will provide the opportunity to discuss the multiple facets of sustainability. In a kind of double entendre, we want to explore the state of the art both in terms of how to make decisions that reflect sustainability principles, as well as, how to make decisions that are themselves “sustainable,” IAP2 President Anne Pattillo.

For more information about the International Association for Public Participation and the conference, visit www.iap2.org or call 800.644.4273.

Check this out! http://www.spatial.redlands.edu/toolsgallery/

The Redlands Institute has developed an interactive tool gallery with various technology tools that can be used to support the work we do. Browse the technology tools by category (listed on the left side), and/or to select a subset of tools by clicking on one or more faceted search filter tabs on the right side. Move the cursor over each tool for a short description, or click on the tool to see a detailed description that includes links to the tool's website, screenshots, and videos.

If you would like to add a tool to this catalog, please submit a request to ecrsubmit@spatial.redlands.edu with the following information about the tool:

§ tool name and version

§ tool website URL

§ tool description (one line, and one paragraph versions)

§ tool category (for category browsing)

§ tool tags (for faceted search filtering)

§ tool screenshot(s) (optional; URLs or small image files)

§ tool video(s) (optional; URLs)

If you have any questions about how to submit a new tool, contact Stephen Daugherty at the Redlands Institute,(909) 748 - 8464.

Correcting Misperceptions

I caught this interview awhile back on National Public Radio's "On the Media" program. I found it very interesting. The researcher's punchline is that it is close to impossible to change peoples' perceptions once they have formed opinions. Offering contradictory information didn't work and sometimes backfires! I thought you might be interested. From what I can tell, most of his work has been around concepts related to global climate change and weapons of mass destruction, but, I doubt it matters that much what the subject matter is.

http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2009/07/03/01

At our fall 2008 conference, we had a presentation from Daren Brabham, a doctoral candidate at the U of U, on crowd-sourcing. Here is an example of an interesting way this idea is being applied in a transit project.


CONTACT: Annie Maxfield, public relations manager
Cell: (206) 788-6418
E-mail: NextStopDesign@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2009

Federally-Funded Online Bus Stop Design Contest Launches

Next Stop Design leverages collective intelligence of online communities for public good

Next Stop Design, an experiment to design a bus stop collaboratively on the Web, officially launches today at www.NextStopDesign.com. Visitors to the Web site can register for free to submit designs and ideas about their ideal bus stop. Visitors can then rate and comment on the designs of their peers, and the highest rated bus stop designs may eventually be built as real bus stops in Utah. The contest runs through the summer, and the highest rated designer(s) will be recognized as inspiration for the stop on a plaque next to the new bus stop on the University of Utah business loop.

Next Stop Design is a study conducted by University of Utah researchers, in cooperation with the Utah Transit Authority and funded by a grant from the U.S. Federal Transit Administration. The project seeks to develop innovative ways to increase public participation in transit planning. Using the Web to harness the collective intelligence of online communities and the “wisdom of crowds,” Next Stop Design hopes to generate more, diverse, and higher quality bus stop designs in a way that complements traditional public participation methods.

For more information, including details about the project, backgrounders, and related resources, visit www.NextStopDesign.com/press.

Job posting for collaboration and communications firm

Project Coordinator Job Posting 

Kearns & West’s Portland Office seeks a Project Coordinator for immediate hire. Kearns & West is a strategic collaboration and communications firm with offices in San Francisco, Portland, Denver, and Washington DC. The Project Coordinator will serve as part of a team and assist with management of collaborative and public involvement processes involving stakeholders from state and federal natural resource agencies, environmental organizations, industry, and local interests. 

Job duties include meeting coordination and logistics, meeting attendance and note taking, database management, client and stakeholder relations, administrative duties, and more. This position requires initiative, excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Applicant must demonstrate strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office. 

Successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and a background/interest in natural resource management, renewable energy, transmission, environmental/public policy issues, public involvement, collaboration and mediation. One - two years of experience is preferred. We are looking for a self-starter who can work well independently and as part of a team. Ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously is a must. Some travel is required. 

Please e-mail resume & cover letter to amartin@kearnswest.com. No faxes or phone calls please. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. 

* * * * * * 

In addition, Kearns & West and the Portland Office anticipate additional hires in the near future. Resumes from senior mediators and public involvement specialists along with resumes from project coordinator candidates should be submitted to amartin@kearnswest.com. 

Job Posting for Conflict Resolution Specialist

EPA conflict resolution position near DC.  Job posting closes June 5, 2009.

Mayor mowing city's grass

Here is the story of a municipality working hard to solve problems at the "grass roots" level:)

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12402073

Happy Flagger Article-KSL

This story made me smile. Most of us have work that includes flaggers and I want this woman on my next project!!

Here is the link. It includes a photo. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6394436

IAP2 May 2009 Get Together-Tour and Discussion

All are invited to join us!

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

What: SendOutCards-Changing Lives One Card at a Time!

When: 3:30 pm-Tour of Printing/Gifting Produciton
4:00 Demonstration of Web Interface

Where: SendOutCards
1825 West Research Way (2770 South)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84119

Engaging the Public

It seems that in the past govenment officials have felt that the public was not interested in paticipating in the decision-making process or was too poorly informed to contribute meaningfully. It is encouraging to see the strides that are being made in so many areas to include citizens in the process of government. We are receiving positive feedback from city officials that not only are their citizens interested in being stakeholders, but that through our outreach we are developing better projects. Here is a cartoon to enjoy.
PS -Check out this link to Peter Sandman's page about communication in a pandemic. The
link is: http://www.psandman.com/col/panflu4-1.htm. It is worth the read. -Jessica

May 4 Brown Bag with Michele Straube

Monday, May 4, 2009
12 – 1 pm
Salt Lake City & County Building, 451 South State
Cannon Room (Rm. 335), 3rd Floor
Please call in if you cannot attend in person – 800-791-2345, passcode 70397

Michele is the Director of Salt Lake Solutions and an adjunct professor at the University Utah School of Law. She was a practicing lawyer for more than 15 years, representing private and public sector clients and has extensive experience with administrative agencies in their regulatory and enforcement functions. For the past 10+ years, she has focused exclusively on alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, facilitation, training, and collaborative problem-solving.

Michele will give a short presentation and lead a discussion on her work with Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker’s Transparency Initiative (http://www.transparencyslcgov.com/) and Salt Lake Solutions (http://www.slcgov.com/slsolutions/).

Job Opening - Yosemite National Park

Manager of the Yosemite National Park's Public Involvement and Outreach Program

According to Jen Nersesian, who just left the job to become a superintendent, it's a challenging job, and full of tremendous opportunities to make a positive contribution. Professionals with experience in public participation or conflict resolution might be interested. For more information or to apply, go to http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/ftva.asp?seeker=1&JobID=80535073. The position is posted to close on May 1. Contact Jen at Jen_Nersesian@nps.gov with any questions.

Technology and Public Input

There are oodles of reasons to use technology when engaging the public.  It can be convenient.  It can be efficient. It can save money.  And, sometimes, it's really fun.  At the same time, it's not for everyone, and it's certainly not for every situation.

When considering technology, the first step our organization takes is to consider our purpose.  Are we trying to inform and educate? Do we need to seek input and advice?  Is our goal to facilitate dialogue and deliberation? 

We've put together a quick list of technology options for each category.  It's not meant to be exhaustive or very explanatory -  I'm pretty sure no one reads long blog entries, so even though I'd love to wax poetic about keypad/electronic polling and SurveyMonkey, I won't.  

But, if you've got ideas about other options the rest of us can explore, please add them in the comments.  Or, if you'd like more information on any one technology (explanation or example of practical application), please leave a comment to that effect, too!  

 Credit for the diagram: Matt McKinney, University of Montana, and Joe McMahon of Collaborative Processes.

President's Message - April

As a follow-up to discussions that took place during the annual conference in September, our officers have been hard at work developing the Intermountain Chapter blog. I am very excited about this new forum and I am looking forward to utilizing this tool to keep in touch with everyone and to hear about what everyone is up to in the realm of public participation.

In addition, we have some exciting things coming up in the chapter and in IAP2. Coming up at the end of April I will be attending a worldwide IAP2 leadership event in Vancouver, British Columbia. The purpose of the event is to bring together affiliate, chapter and emerging IAP2 leaders with IAP2 board members to exchange information, develop skills to foster membership, translate IAP2’s strategic goals and objectives into local action, and foster a sense of community among members. It should prove to be a very exciting event and I will either present a brown bag on the experience and what I learned or I will send an overview out via email and this blog.

We are also working on future brown bag presentations and additional training opportunities for the Chapter. We are going to try something a little different with brown bag presentations. Some of the upcoming brown bag presentations will be held at a specific location and via teleconference allowing people to participate in a variety of ways. Our first brownbag of this kind will be on May 4, 2008, with Michele Straube from the Mayor's office in Salt Lake City. She will be sharing information about Mayor Ralph Becker's Transparency Initiative and Salt Lake Solutions. More details to come soon on the blog. If you have any ideas on possible topics for future brown bag presentations, please feel free to send them to me via email or comment on this post.

Also, Wendy Green Lowe is in the process of determining a date and location for certificate training courses. Once the details have been determined, we will be sure to let you all know.

The last thing I wanted to remind everyone of is the 2009 Annual Conference. It will be held in San Diego in September – so there is lots of time to plan ahead. See the countdown gadget to the right!

Our chapter has a lot of momentum and I truly hope that we can keep it up. As always, please feel free to contact me with any ideas, comments, questions, or suggestions: randi.shover@kiewit.com or 801-736-8219. Thank you!

Salt Lake City Networking Event - April 30, 2009 3:00 pm

Let's get together for cupcakes and conversation!

When: Thursday, April 30, 2009 (new date)
3:00 pm - whenever

Where: So Cupcake, 3939 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah

Note: Dutch treat

Questions? Contact Amalia Deslis at amalia_deslis at urscorp dot com or 801.904.4017

Label Catalog

Links to other blogs

Here are links to some blogs that are worth checking out.

Involving People in Government

Looking for a Voice

--Jessica

NPR story where public participation would really help!

Here's a story on NPR about a community in Pennsylvania that could use some serious help with their public involvement. Click the picture to see the video. A brief synopsis is below.

December 30, 2008 - Since as long as anyone can remember — some say 1934 — locals and tourists have tossed bread to a suckling, quacking stew of carp and ducks at the Linesville Spillway in northwest Pennsylvania. The small dam is the site of one of America's oldest roadside attractions, roughly halfway between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The carp gather just outside Linesville, Pa., in writhing thickets at the spillway's edges. The fish are so thick that mallard ducks, also in search of a free meal, literally hop, skip and jump on the fish's backs to compete for a slice of bread.

Linesville's star attraction brings as many as 500,000 visitors a year to the small community, where they might buy gas, a burger or day-old Wonder Bread from one of the bread shanties that line local streets. But this year, the place where ducks walk on fish has been threatened by a policy change that has locals worried about a giant sucking sound of a different kind: the clatter of tourists and their dollars leaving their community.

Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister visited the Spillway and teamed up with singer-songwriter Tim Fite to produce this story about one of America's fishiest tales.