IAP2 Foundations in Public Participation: Planning for Effective Public Participation will let you hit the ground running armed with the knowledge and confidence you need to plan and execute effective initiatives for any area in which you may be working. Our planning module provides you with a proven structure that will greatly increase your odds of a successful project. This hands-on course gives you the opportunity to delve into your own challenges using the essential elements of effective public participation planning.
This is part one of two modules in the Foundations program. Please see our website for when the second module, Techniques, is being offered.
Completion of the Foundations program (both modules) is a prerequisite for Certification as a P2 Professional (CP3).
PLEASE NOTE: If you are a member of IAP2 Canada please log into the website (top right-hand corner) to register automatically at the member rate. International IAP2 members require a code to register. Please contact info@iap2canada.ca to obtain it.
Please note that scheduling online training is very different from face-to-face. This virtual course will be offered in seven segments with multiple sessions over the week (both in morning and afternoon). Just like the face-to-face training, we expect all participants to attend all sessions listed in the event.
Note that the session time is Eastern Time.
To find out the time the training takes place in your time zone you can use this link.
Participants will be given a small group to work in and given assignments that they need to complete throughout the week together. Participants will need to coordinate themselves and find time on their own to do this. There will also be individual readings/assignments - to be completed before or in-between virtual sessions.
— Cancellation policy —
Learning Objectives
Participants who complete the Planning course will be able to:
- Understand and apply the IAP2 Foundations for effective public participation.
- Articulate and assess the benefits and risks of integrating public participation into decision- making.
- Develop appropriate public participation objectives that clarify the public’s role and are aligned with and support the decision process.
- Identify stakeholders and their needs and expectations, and select ways to effectively engage them in a decision process.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive and effective public participation plan.
- Integrate communication strategies to reach and engage the public and support the public participation process.
- Evaluate public participation processes being used and outcomes
Course Overview
- What is Public Participation?
- Who is the Public?
-
- The Orbits of Public Participation
- Hard-to-Reach Stakeholders and Striving for Inclusive Participation
- IAP2’s Foundations of Public Participation
-
- Foundation 1: Values-Based What are Values? and why are they important in P2?
—IAP2’s Core Values for the Practice of Public Participation
—IAP2's Code of Ethics
- Foundation 2: Decision-Oriented
- Foundation 3: Goal-Driven
—IAP2s Public Participation Spectrum
- IAP2’s Five Steps for Public Participation Planning
-
- Planning Step 1: Gain Internal Commitment -- the decision maker; organization; and preliminary decision description, stakeholder list, spectrum level
- Planning Step 2: Learn from the Public
- Planning Step 3: Select the Level of Participation
- Planning Step 4: Define the Decision Process and Identify the Public Participation and Communication Objectives
- Planning Step 5: Write the P2 plan including selecting techniques, assessing needed and available resources and planning for evaluation
- Digging Deeper
-
- Public Participation Planning and Effective Communication
- Learning Styles and Public Participation
- Helping People Move from Positions to Interests
- Engaging Indigenous, Marginalized and Other Excluded Groups or Missing Voices
- Dealing with Emotions—Outrage, Fear and Anger—in Public Settings and the Importance of Empathy and Building Relationships
- Closing the Loop with Stakeholders
- Attitude is Everything
- Wrap up & Closure
Trainer: Tracey Ehl, MCP3
In 2017, Tracey became a Master Certified Public Participation Practitioner (MCP3) and in 2020, she completed the process to become a licensed trainer. Tracey has over two decades of professional P2 experience in the public, private and not for profit sectors. Tracey’s energetic and attentive style has assisted communities locally and internationally to develop supportable solutions that uphold shared values. Her project involvement has focused on complex projects in the areas of energy, sustainability, public water system management, municipal planning, transportation and public transit, waste management, and community development.
