Public Engagement in California

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Highlights from research with local officials in California and civic leaders OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE Public meetings often do not meet the needs of residents or local officials. Public comment agendas are dominated by narrow interests and negative remarks Large segments of the public are missing, especially low-income populations, immigrants and young people Many desire broad-based public participation and stronger collaboration. .... WHAT THEY ARE SAYING LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICIALS (ELECTED AND NONELECTED) 900 surveyed ВОТН GROUPS LEADERS OF CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS 462 surveyed Appreciate the value of public engagement Report that many local officials are trying to better engage the public Feel local officials 77% are interested in hearing more about practices that have worked in other places. want to see improved 41% say local fficials seem to be making more of an effort to engage a wide variety of people. public engagement View the public as disengaged Find the relationship between the public and local government is deeply strained Are concerned about 87% say that community members are too busy with day-to-day life to get involved in public decision making. the disconnect between the public and local officials 77% say the public has become angrier and mistrustful of local officials in recent years. Endorse more deliberative Support more deliberative processes, but worry about lack of follow through processes, but are cautious Want more thoughtful, inclusive processes that 3% result in better understanding foster dialogue, trust and of public concerns; 38% believe these 67% believe deliberative engagement can bring out fresh ideas; 60% think such approaches should be used for only a few public decisions. better decisions processes may frustrate participants if officials don't act on the results. SIGNS OF PROGRESS 53% of local public officials have collaborated with community organizations to engage residents in dialogue. 61% of civic leaders say that working with a local official has been effective in building community trust. aN0% of local public officials can think of an issue that lends itself well to deeper engagement, such as: 90% Finances and budgets Land use, housing and economic AA Long-term community development goal setting AA TAKING ACTION FOR STRONGER PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Funders can make a difference by supporting: Local officials and their Civic leaders and their institutions can gain from: organizations can gain from: • Partnering with community-based organizations • Hiring and training staff to increase public engagement skills • Networking with colleagues who have effective practices • Evaluating local efforts • Partnering with local officials • Hiring and training staff to increase public engagement skills • Networking and sharing resources with other organizations • Evaluating local efforts • Partnerships between public officials and local organizations • Trainings and technical assistance • Experiments, including use of online engagement tools • Research, evaluation and knowledge sharing READ THE REPORTS For Civic Leaders For Local Officials Testing the Waters California Local Officials Experiment with New Ways to Engage the Public Beyond Business as Usual Leaders of California's Civic Organizations Seek New Ways to Engage the Public in Local Governance For All Executive Summaries Key research findings E and recommendations ushes ASUtUAT THe Visit our partners OPUBLIC AGENDA ktoCAL GOVERNMENT DAVENRORT INSTITUTE I.. v INSTITUTE The James Irvine GLOCAL GOVERNMENT Foundation esidents on .......