Tailoring Civic Engagement Methods

to Serve a Changing World:

A Hands-On Workshop

Thursday, September 20, 2012

SNEAPA session C4, 1:45-3:15pm
 Who We Are

Ruth Fitzgerald, AICP Jill Barrett, MSW Emily Torres-Cullinane, Manisha Bewtra, AICP
Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. Metropolitan Area Planning Metropolitan Area Planning
Hartford, CT Hartford, CT Council, Boston, MA Council, Boston, MA

Daphne Politis, AICP Bill Schwartz, AICP Jim Purdy, AICP Francisco Gomes, AICP, ASLA
Community Circle the Collaborative, Inc. the Collaborative, Inc. Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc.
Lexington, MA Boston, MA Boston, MA Hartford, CT
 Agenda

• Why Bother?
• Tailoring Tips
• Small Group Activity
• Wrap Up
• Evaluate Us!
Why bother?
Tailoring tips
 Break it down…
Purpose: What are you trying to achieve?
Level of engagement: How much do you need?
Constraints: What are your resources?
Stakeholders: Who will be affected?
Messaging: How will you communicate?
Setting the stage: How will you involve them?
Tools and methods: Inform, engage, & activate!
Purpose: What are you trying to achieve?
Level of engagement: How much do you need?
Constraints: What are your resources?
Stakeholders: Who will be affected?
Project partners
Usual suspects
Champions
Ambassadors
Go Beyond
Messaging: How will you communicate?
Setting the Stage: How will you involve them?
Be inclusive
Make it fun
Reach out in many ways
Tools and Methods: Inform, engage, activate!
Website and email list
Phone tree
Press coverage
Social media
Online survey
Storytelling
Role playing
Hands-on activities
Instant polling
Tailor, Tailor, Tailor
 In summary…

• Tailor your tools

• Embrace technology
• Be creative, have fun, try something new!
• Inform, Engage, Activate!
Now it’s your turn!
 Small Group Activity (30 minutes)
• Go to the table with your assigned letter
• Discuss four scenarios (different conditions for
each)
• Getting ready for the big vote
• The new demographics
• A transformative development project
• Overcoming apathy
• Facilitators will provide details and report back
Wrap-up and Evaluate!
 What do you call this?
1. Milkshake

2. Cabinet

3. Frappe

4. Batido
 Did you learn something new?
1. Yes, I learned a lot!

2. I learned a couple new things.

3. I only learned what different people called

blended beverages.

4. No, but I drew some great doodles on my

handouts.
 Will you use this information?
1. Immediately!

2. Eventually.

3. Not likely.
Did you meet someone new who you
will keep in touch with?
1. Yes, I met more than 1 new person.

2. Yes, I met 1 new person.

3. No.
This event exceeded my expectations.
1. Strongly Agree

2. Agree

3. Neutral

4. Disagree

5. Strongly Disagree
 Thank you to all!
… and now, one lucky winner will
receive a prize to help you tailor!