Broadening Participation with Digital Engagement

April 24, 2014IAP2

Welcome!

Presenters

Sarah Rubin, Public Engagement Manager, Institute for Local Government

Susan Stuart Clark, Founder/DirectorCommon Knowledge

ILG Mission• Promoting good

government at the local level

• Practical, impartial and easy-to-use materials

Your Experience

Note one key challenge you (or your org) faces related to choosing or using digital tools• Individually• Share with your neighbor

Benefits of Digital Engagement

Reach more diverse

residentsMore informed participation

Invite broader range of

perspectives

Concrete data for reporting

and evaluation

Effective Use of Online Public Let Purpose Drive Tool• Define the engagement purpose and how input will be used, then select tool(s)

Understand Staffing Needs• Understand needed staff capacities; define audiences, outreach, information strategies

Sync with In-Person• Sync online and face-to-face public engagement to take advantage of the strengths of each

Embrace Learning • Measure outcomes and create a “learning community” across agency departments

Local Government Examples

Planning/Transportation

Strategic Planning/Budgeting

Specific Policies

Quality of Life

Choosing Online Engagement Tools

Inform Consult Involve Collaborate Empower

Web pages

E-notify

Videos/podcasts

Simulations

Survey/poll

Invite feedback

Comment on others’ comments

Ideation

Trade-offs

Mapping

Online forum

Interactive community planning

Ideathon/hackathon

Citizens report and use data

Neighbor to neighbor apps

Purpose(s) drives the selection of tools:

Sample Planning Questions

Quantitative closed-end answers or

open-ended qualitative input? Multiple ways to

participate?

How early in the decision making

process is the public is being asked to

provide input?

Will people interact with each other or just the agency?

What other engagement is being conducted? How will results be combined for use in decision

making?

Choosing Software and Suppliers!Technical: features, interface with current

IT assets, ease of use and training!Policy: Choices re: registration, frequency

of participation, incentives, etc.!Cost: Annual fee can range from $5,000

to $20,000 depending on population size

“Selling” an approach

to… client, boss, city council,

county board of supervisors, etc.

AnalysisCommunication Style Analysis

Power Analysis

Political Analysis

What might keep them from

saying yes?

Messenger(s) / Who is most

likely to succeed?

How can members of the local IAP2 community support one another as digital options and experiences evolve?

Thank You