Community Engagement

Publications

• Engaging Citizens in Government - Publication from the General Services Adminstration that is compiled from contributions from governments, advocacy groups and academia to show how the use of the Internet is being used to faciliate open government, where people can weigh in and contribute their ideas on bugets, policies, regulations, etc.
• The Do's and Don'ts of Working with Local Communities: Tips for Successful Community-based Public Meetings - A basic how-to, such as when to use a audio-visual equipment, how to dress, etc. A good place to start, but if want active pubic engagement, please see other materials.
• Creating Productive Meetings - An academic approach to running good meetings
• How to Convene and Moderate Local Public Forums Using Deliberative Decision-Making

Links

• National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation - This organization actively promotes learning and collaboration among practitioners, public leaders, scholars and organizations involved in dialogue, deliberation, and other innovative group processes that help people tackle complex issues.
• World Cafe Technique - a group facilitation method which incorporates tables; a question or issue to be discussed and movement from one table or question to another. It helps bring about consensus and different solutions. Website includes how to resources, listserv and other help.
• Everyday Democracy (formerly Study Circles Resource Center) - They help communities to find ways for all kinds of people to think, talk and work together to solve problems.