Difficult Situations in Public Engagement

Resources and case stories to support the use of public engagement strategies to address difficult issues and situations.

Document on public engagement strategies by the Institute for Local Government, with a contents list on improving community decision-making.

Beyond the Usuals: Ideas to Encourage Broader Public Involvement in Your Community

Local officials often find that only a relatively small number of community members actually take part in public conversations and forums. A failure…

Guide on handling public engagement challenges, participant info, process design, transparency, and managing challenging behaviors.

Deeply Held Concerns and Other Challenges to Public Engagement Processes

This tip sheet offers ideas for the planning and delivery of public engagement activities when participants’ deeply held views and values make…

Dealing with Emotional Audiences

This article provides strategies that leaders can employ to maximize the likelihood that public meetings on controversial issues will involve constructive exchanges that contribute to the best decision being made.
Additionally, a piece from the Orange County Human Relations Commission is available, “Free Speech vs Hate Speech: Practical Guidelines for Managing Public Forums.”

Dealing With a Grandstander

This article analyzes the ethical issues associated with grandstanding and offers tips for dealing with grandstanders.

Full House at Public Engagement Session for Local Agency Chief Executives

A packed room of city managers and county administrators listens to speakers at an Institute-organized session on “Dealing with Deeply Held Concerns…