New Models for Effective
Public Meetings:
Finding Common Ground in Uncommon Times
This workshop, presented at the New York State School Boards Association on October 22, 2010, provides practical tips for planning and advertising public input meetings, and getting polarized constituent groups constructively engaged. Whether you are soliciting input to inform difficult budget decisions or inviting public involvement in long-range planning, recognize that successful public meetings rarely "just happen." They take know-how, skill and planning—but the payoff can be enormous in terms of building long-term credibility and trust with a public that is increasingly divided on important issues in our public schools.
For more about managing effective public meetings and public engagement strategies, contact the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service at 518/464-3960.
WORKSHOP HANDOUTS
PowerPoint
handouts (PDF)
Tip
Sheet:
Optimizing Meeting Facilities (PDF)
Tip
Sheet:
Optimizing Meeting Interactions (PDF)
Public
Engagement: A Primer From Public Agenda
case study: Broadalbin-Perth Central School District
Community
Roundtables Summary (PDF) — Winner of a 2010 Golden Achievement
Award from the National School Public Relations Association.
Website
archive of community roundtable discussion questions and notes
I Am Broadalbin Perth (video)
-- Winner of a 2010 New York School Public Relations Award of
Excellence, this video helped tell the story of the difficult
choices facing the school district and its various stakeholder
groups heading into the May 2010 school budget vote.
CASE Study: BURNT HILLS-BALLSTON LAKE Central School District
Key
communication features of the 2010-11 budget development
process (PDF)
Website
archive of budget development, news and information
CASE sTUDY: Schalmont Central School District
Sample
Choicework Discussion Questions (PDF)
Schenectady Gazette news article on Schalmont Community Roundtable
(PDF)
other helpful resources from public agenda
FAQs
All About Public Engagement
Reframing
Framing by Will Friedman (2008)
Toss
Out the PR Playbook: Send in the Public-Engagement Team by Deborah
Wadsworth (2006)
