Effective Approaches for Informing Citizens

Introduction
Variations on the Public Meeting Theme
Speaker's Bureaus and Presentations to Existing Groups
Reaching Citizens through Technology
Reaching Citizens through Web sites
Citizens' Guides and Orientation to Help Citizens Participate Effectively
Newsletters, Columns, and Flyers
Civic Education for Youth
Citizen Education
Staff Training
Recommended Articles

Introduction

Our communities are increasingly made up of diverse groups that have diverse interests and obtain information in different ways. The most effective community involvement programs use a combination of approaches to reach a cross section of citizens. A rapidly changing world and new technology offer new opportunities for quick and cost-effective ways to get out information. Busy schedules mean that citizens will appreciate convenient, comfortable, and quick ways to stay informed about government services and community issues. Citizens may also enjoy combining the responsibility of staying informed with the opportunity for social interaction and even a little fun! Local governments should not forget to get information out about accomplishments as well as what's going on. Here are some of our favorite ideas for getting the word out:

Variations on the Public Meeting Theme

Spokane, WA - Meeting in a Box () - The ultimate in comfort and convenience - a unique, and award-winning self-guided growth management plan workshop designed to be held in living rooms, community clubs or whenever and wherever convenient! June-July, 1996.
Port Townsend, WA - Port Townsend 2020: Getting Together () - 1993 AWC Municipal Achievement Award winner for "Innovative Public Involvement Techniques," - coffee and growth management in informal settings.
Redmond, WA - Citizen's Guide to Community Forums () (Redmond, WA) - Provides opportunity for an ongoing dialog between the city and its citizens on a range of issues in a small group format.
Jefferson County, WA - Open House Series and Road Show Series to update citizens on Shoreline Master Plan progress - Impressive series of community outreach meetings around the county. Each drop-in open house event featured poster displays, a repeating slideshow, an interactive digital mapping station, and a comment form. Earlier road show meetings included audience participation activities.
Mountlake Terrace, WA - Town Center planning public meeting series - The city won a Citizen Involvement Award from the Washington State Chapter of the American Planning Association to recognize a process that included citywide mailings and twenty public events, such as community roundtables, design workshops, visual preference survey, developer/business forum, and hearings.
Sammamish, WA - Bus tour of other town centers followed by public design workshop - Members of the Town Center Committee, Planning Commission, City Council and the community at large took a bus tour of nearby town centers recently to gain some perspective on the challenge of creating a city center in Sammamish. Bus tour materials.
Federal Highway Administration Public Involvement Techniques for Transportation Decision-Making: Small Group discussion Techniques.
Central Issaquah, WA - Plan Workshop Materials - Workshop presentations followed by small group discussions about the future of the Central Issaquah area.
Redmond, WA - Summary of Focus Group Meetings - Overlake Neighborhood Plan.
Seattle, WA - Small Group Interviews (Focus Groups) - Transit station planning.
Oakland, CA - Small Group Meetings, Oak to Ninth Street Project (scroll to Public Outreach Process - small group meetings materials).
North Bethany, OR - Concept Plan Design Workshop, Washington County, 2007 - Open House with “walk-around" time, and small group table discussions of issue areas.
Portland, OR
- Cully Park Master Plan Design Workshop Summary Report () - Small group discussions to identify priorities for park facilities, November 2007.
- Connecting everyone to the Portland Plan - Involving multicultural groups in comprehensive plan development, Portland, OR, and the Portland Plan.
Seattle, WA - Neighborhood Plan Update Community Workshops, 2009 - Forty-one workshops sought input from 16 traditionally underrepresented groups including seniors, youth, disabled persons, and various ethnic groups.
Participatory Land Use Mapping, Local Government Commission - Exercise to involve citizens in exploring local and regional land use planning issues.
Newark, NJ - Summer Halsey Street Block Parties, 2010 - City uses block parties as part of a pilot program designed to promote the revitalization of key retail and mixed-use corridors throughout Newark.
Port Angeles, WA - Farmer’s Market - Opportunity for citizens to visit with City Council at their table at the Farmers' Market on the first Saturday of each month.
Snoqualmie, WA - Town Hall Meeting & Root Beer Float Social - Participants will use handheld voting devices to register opinions on park safety and infrastructure issues.
Santa Clara, CA - City Hall Open House - Fun events and information booths to inform the public about city and community services and encourage participation.
Bellevue, WA - Crossroads Mini City Hall - Program to bring city hall services to a convenient shopping mall and outlying neighborhoods.
Redmond, WA - Overlake Parking Management Plan Best Practices Presentation, Feb. 23-25, 2009. See also alternative scenario presentations.
Reinventing the Public Meeting, Next American City, April 28, 2010 - Virtual meetings and videoconferencing provide citizens the opportunity to participate more conveniently.
Seattle, WA - Virtual Meeting: How is Your Neighborhood Doing?
Kalamazoo, MI - Virtual Master Plan Public Meeting.
Questions to Guide Local Officials, Terry Amsler, Institute for Local Government, 2007 - Public forums.

Speakers Bureaus and Presentations to Existing Groups

Clark County, WA - Speakers Bureau.
Shoreline, WA - 2110 Speakers Series - Speakers presentations on planning-related topics are also available online.
Richland, WA - Speakers' Bureau/City Facility Tours.
Greensboro, NC - City Voices - Comprehensive list of speaker topics by category increase understanding of city issues.
City of Boulder, CO - Neighborhood Services Speakers Bureau -Topics likely to be of interest to the neighborhood.
Palo Alto,CA - Sandwich Symposium.
City of Redlands, CA - Speakers Bureau.

Reaching Citizens through Technology - Cable TV, podcasts, video libraries and e-mail notification

Redmond, WA - City Television - Several channels of award-winning programming.
Clark-Vancouver, WA - CVTV Television - Extensive programming includes city meetings and hearings, focus and close up programs on issues and government board functions, a planning short course, and online viewing of job skills workshops.
Richland, WA - Your Connection - Gavel to Gavel coverage of meetings, monthly news magazine, and Ask the (Police) Chief program.
Spokane, WA - Video Introduction to the Draft Residential Code Development Standards .
Blacksburg, VA - Online Video and Podcast -Programming includes public meeting broadcasts, informational programs, and occasional live events.
Orange County, FL - Video library series - Video programs broadcast on Cable TV and available for loan.
Chesterfield County, VA - Spotlight - Five minute interview programs broadcast on CNN Headline News.
Lake Forest, WA - City Mail - E-Mail notification lists.
Federal Way, WA - press releases via e-mail - Easy signup form.
Scottsdale, AZ
- Audio/Video Programming - Extensive program offerings covering city services, events and topics of interest.
- E -Mail-Based City Publications.
- What's Happening in My Neighborhood - Look up construction activity, development requests, crime activity, roadway construction and other information affecting a neighborhood.
- Neighborhood notification program - Notification about projects that affect neighborhood residents.
Oakland County, MI - Mobile Services - Access to frequently requested website information tailored for wireless Internet enabled phones and PDAs.
Local Governments are using 311 call centers and other related customer service technology systems to respond to citizen non-emergency requests for services and information, International City Manager’s Association.
Walla Walla, WA - Digital autohold messages () - Short tidbits of information about city services.
Kirkland, WA - City's Budget Blog Offers New Way for Public Comment, News Release, October 28, 2010.

Kirkland’s Budget Blog poses topics, provides explanations and answers questions to help Kirkland residents and businesses better understand the various aspects of the City’s biennial budget. The Kirkland City Council will also use the Budget Blog to seek ideas, concerns and suggestions about the level of services being recommended, as it deliberates on the city budget.

Digital Town Hall: How local officials use the Internet and the civic benefits they cite from dealing with constituents online - Survey from Pew Internet & American Life Project.
Using Information Technology to Increase Citizen Participation, MRSC News, December, 2006.
Making the Most of Social Media: 7 Lessons from Successful Cities, Chris Kingsley, Fels Institute of Government, University of Pennsylvania Arts & Sciences, 2010.
Social Media, MRSC
Local Government Broadcasting of Public Meetings - MRSC webpage summarizing and linking to many other Washington local government broadcast programs.
E-Government and E-Commerce - MRSC webpage with information on Internet broadcasting, E-mail notification, online citizen surveys and similar tools.

Reaching Citizens through Web sites (for Announcements, Proposal Information, Meeting Information, Convenient Services)

Kitsap County, WA - Easy-to-navigate site with lots of 24/7 online services offered.
King County, WA - Users can connect via all the latest social media and site offers nifty online services such as parcel viewer (property research), bus tracker and trip planner.
Kirkland, WA - Interesting, informative website that invites citizen involvement.
Snoqualmie, WA - Highlights many local events and is easy to navigate.
Sumner, WA - Simple, user-friendly small city website that organizes information based on why citizens are looking to do. The site featrues local images and touches rather than presenting a generic look.
Montgomery County, MD - Multiple Award-winning website that highlights and employs just about every electronic means of reaching out. The paperless airplane news delivery is particularly catchy!
Deschutes County, OR - Clear organization and site map makes this information packed site easy to navigate. A Computerworld award winner.
Beaverton, OR - Lots of online services and many good ways to find what you’re looking for. A Computerworld award winner.
Rockville, MD - News and Highlights - Informs and invites participation.
Countering Inaccurate Rumors About City Actions, Lake Stevens, WA - City posted original permit conditions to dispel inaccurate information about unfair treatment of permit applicant.
Webpage Development - Local Government Guidelines.
Becoming a Citizen-Centered Government Through Best Practices in Web Management () - U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Performance Institute.

Citizens' Guides and Orientation to Help Citizens Participate Effectively

Clark County, WA - Citizen Participation Guide, - A concise guide on how to participate and where to get information.
Snoqualmie, WA - Public Participation Guidelines - Citizen comment opportunities at public meetings.
Bellevue, WA - How to Participate in a Land Use Decision (), July 2006.
Woodland, WA - Citizen Participation Guide - Land Use and Growth Management Information (), November 2007.
Tacoma, WA - Citizen Presentation Guidelines for City Council Meetings ().
Mason County, WA - Public Participation: How to Testify Effectively - Succinct guidelines.
Clearwater, FL - Citizen's Guide - Citizen guide to the information and services that Clearwater offers.
Champaign, IL - How to Address Your City Council, Brochure outlines firm rules while establishing a welcoming tone toward public participation in meetings, public hearings, and study sessions.
Pinellas County, FL - A Citizen’s Guide to the Board of County Commissioners Meetings (), February 2010 - Brochure provides useful information about the county commissioners as well as guide lines for addressing the commission.
City of Boise, ID - How to Testify at a Public Hearing ()- Basic guidelines to make testimony more effective.
How to Testify at Land Use Hearings: A Resource for Citizens (), Oregon Land Conservation Department.
Corvallis, OR - A Citizen's Guide to the Land Use Planning, and Participating in Corvallis Land Use Decisions ().

Newsletters, Newspaper Columns, Flyers, Displays and Media Campaigns

Redmond, WA - Focus on Redmond: Our Quarterly News Magazine.
Bellevue, WA - It’s Your City Newsletter, June 9, 2009 issue - Packed with information about city projects, activities, calendar events, resources, and city contacts, and all issues, and Neighborhood News.
King County, WA - Department of Development and Environmental Services Customer Newsletter - Online newsletter focuses on department permit services and news.
Spokane County, WA - Blueprint 2000: Designing Your Future (), February 2000 - Newsletter on how to obtain and comment on the comprehensive plan.
Summit County, CO - Newspaper column with county happenings (NACo model program).
Seattle, WA - Fremont Bridge Approaches Replacement Project, Frequent Flyer Archive, 2007- Series of flyers keeping neighborhood residents updated on construction progress and closures.
Vancouver-Clark, WA - Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan () - Flyer about parks plan update, meetings and process, 2006.
Walla Walla, WA - "At Your Service" flyer - Inserted in utility bill.
Chesterfield County, VA - Chesterfield Choice - Flyer with county event, forum and vote information inserted in Community Shopper (NACo model program).

Civic Education for Youth

Where Do We Grow from Here? - A Teacher's Resource on Growth and Its Impacts on Maryland - Produced by the State of Maryland.
Teaching Smart Growth at Colleges and Universities: A set of model course prospectuses, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
King County, WA - Environmental resources for teachers and students, and Programs for Educators Directory (), 2010 - Variety of materials, ideas, and programs to engage students in environmental stewardship efforts.
Clark County WA - Youth Town Hall - The program takes high school students to facilities and places relevant to functions of county government. The students then participate in a Youth Town Hall to discuss local government issues. In 2000, the program earned a National Association of Counties Achievement Award . See Archived video of Youth Town Hall events.
Olympia, WA - Plan to Grow Smart () - Interactive civic curriculum.
Engaged Students Becoming Citizens, Teach with TVW - Washington State Public Affairs TV Network.
Promoting youth participation : action kit for municipal leaders (), National League of Cities - Focuses on youth participation in municipal government and youth involvement in local communities by highlighting strategies to establish a youth council; plan through Community Youth Mapping; host a youth summit; and promote youth service.
Portland, OR - Youth Planning Program, Program engages and empowers youth and provides training so that youth have skills, resources, information, and opportunities to make a difference.
Fairfax County, VA - Youth Leadership Program.
Henrico County, VA - "Look to the Future" Student Government Day - Students "shadow" county officials and conduct mock county board meetings.
Portland, OR - Recycling and Waste Prevention for Schools - Metro - Resources, classroom presentations and curriculum materials for schools.
Concord, NC - Stormwater Services Public Education and Outreach - School, community and civic groups Environmental Educator presentations, Enviroscape model demonstration, Concord 101, Civic Education programs, and more.
City of Rockville, MD - Kidsville - Webpages designed to educate kids about government, environment and community.
Local Government Education for Youth, MRSC
Youth Particiation in Local Government, MRSC

Citizen Education

Bellingham, WA - Planning Academy I for Neighborhoods - Multiday workshop with presentations, hands on exercises, and homework assignments to facilitate understanding of planning, land use issues, and regulation, and to develop skills for effectively participating in the process, and Planning Academy II: Green Bellingham - Achieving Infill, Enhancing Character - Explores alternative housing types that may be integrated into appropriate areas of existing and new neighborhoods.
City of Airway Heights, WA - Planning 101 Course.
Sumner, WA - University - Originally established to provide orientation for members of multiple boards, it has now been opened to any interested citizens. Includes "freshman" track on the basics and several advanced topic tracks.
The Short Course on Local Planning - Three hour workshop which covers the legal basis for planning in Washington, comprehensive plan and development regulation basics, and role of the planning commission. Co-Sponsored by the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Planning Association of Washington.
Portland, OR - Green for All Business Academy - Free business academy heightens business community awareness of green practices and energy savings, and Facebook notice about academy.
Greensboro, NC - City Voices - Comprehensive list of speaker topics by category increase understanding of city issues.
Hamilton County, OH - The Planning Partnership - Certified Planning Commissioners’ Program - 16-hour workshop earned NaCO Achievement Award, 2004.
Hollywood, CA - Educational Civic Institute - Civic awareness and leadership program produces results; U.S. Conference of Mayors Best Practices.
Billings, MT - Public Outreach & Education, Department of Environmental Affairs – Request a presentation on public works topics, or request a Wastewater & water treatment plant tours.
Citizen Academies, Citizens Police Academies, MRSC webpage.

Staff Training

Portland, OR - Draft Outreach and Involvement Handbook - Tips for staff on how to implement effective citizen involvement, Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement.