Presentation from IAP2 NorCal event, April 24, 2014 in Oakland, CA.

1. Broadening Participation
with Digital Engagement
April 24, 2014
IAP2

2. Welcome!
Presenters
Sarah Rubin, Public Engagement Manager,
Institute for Local Government
Susan Stuart Clark, Founder/Director
Common Knowledge

3. ILG Mission
• Promoting good
government at
the local level
• Practical,
impartial and
easy-to-use
materials

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

6. Benefits of Digital Engagement
Reach more
diverse
residents
More informed
participation
Invite broader
range of
perspectives
Concrete data
for reporting
and evaluation

7. 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

8. Local Government Examples
Planning/
Transportation
Strategic
Planning/
Budgeting
Specific
Policies
Quality
of Life

9. 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:

10. 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?

11. 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

12. “Selling” an approach
to… client, boss,
city council,
county board of
supervisors, etc.

13. Analysis
Communication Style Analysis
Power Analysis
Political Analysis

14. What might
keep them from
saying yes?
Messenger(s) /
Who is most
likely to
succeed?

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

16. Thank You