Where there's a Will, there's a way

I was having a conversation with friends recently when the topic of public participation came up. During the last few months several public meetings have been held by the county over issues like the public smoking ban and the health department. That's a good thing, but I can't help but get the feeling that public meetings are more common when there's an election coming up. I think county government should make broad public participation part of its basic governing philosophy, rather than something that is done in response to criticisms during election years.

I also feel that public participation generally takes a limited form in this area. Several public officials will sit silently while voters take turns speaking at a microphone. That's effective if your purpose is to let people vent and feel like they are being heard. It's not so effective if your goal is to inform and engage the public in a substantive way that is more than a public relations tactic.

I did a quick Google search on effective public participation in government and found The Municipal Research & Services Center, which is a non-profit organization that works to assist local governments in the state of Washington. The site makes some excellent suggestions including this observation about public hearings:

At a hearing, there is usually little, if any, room for reasonable discussion, give or take, or response to prior testimony. Usually there is a parade of speakers who come to read their prepared statements. Interest groups often feel that it is necessary to pack the place with supporters of their positions to influence legislators politically. If this is the only means of public process, there is a high risk that the process will fail.

That describes the vast majority of public participation in this area.

During one of the hearings on the smoking ban, two people submitted documents to county board members. I remember thinking that it would be nice if those documents could have been submitted in advance and made available to anyone attending the meeting. I admit I've also helped public interest groups get their supporters to hearings in order to show broad public support. Sangamon County needs to move beyond this method to a more meaningful type of public participation.

The website makes some suggestions for more in-depth participation, including:

Change physical setting of the meeting room to reduce feelings of separation and "power differences" between public officials and citizens. Sit around a table if possible.

Involve interested parties in the process of generating alternative solutions and approaches. Do this early in the process so that promising new alternatives can be fairly addressed.

Make sure there is plenty of opportunity for people to receive answers to questions. This usually does not happen at a hearing. Some agencies have successfully used informal "open houses" where there is ample opportunity for community members to view illustrations of alternatives, discuss the potential impacts of alternatives, and receive answers to specific questions.

Use small groups to involve participants. Many people are hesitant to speak out in large groups and may hold back good ideas.

Listen to what participants are saying. Ask clarifying questions. Repeat what you heard to confirm the message. Use a recorder to write comments and suggestions on large sheets of paper that can be posted on the walls.

Use good graphics and handouts to illustrate and summarize the proposal(s).

By using these and other ideas, public participation in Sangamon County can become something more than a public relations measure so that officials can claim they engaged the public. It will also encourage more people to get involved in local government when they feel their opinions are sincerely being considered.