Appendix C. Public Involvement Strategies
Use Project Contact Networks
Use of existing project contact networks is an efficient way to establish working relationships with members of the community who are impacted by your project.
Purpose:
Identify stakeholders
Inform
Solicit input
Examples:
Public officials
Professional organizations
Chambers of commerce
Civic organizations
Neighborhood associations
Benefits:
Time & cost effective
Builds community relationships
Constraints: May miss traditionally underserved stakeholders
Make Direct Contacts
Direct contacts are a useful public involvement strategy if, for example, you are trying to pinpoint specific issues. When designing survey and interview questions, consider how the results must be recorded, summarized and communicated to the project team.
Purpose:
Identify issues
Solicit input
Examples:
Surveys
Telephone interviews/surveys
Door-to-Door Site Visits
Benefits: Can obtain specific information
Constraints:
Can be time-intensive
Quality information depends on quality of survey/interviews
Create and confer with an Advisory Committee for the duration of the project.
Advisory committees, comprised of a representative group of stakeholders, provide a continuing forum for bringing ideas into the process. Since the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) serves as an invaluable resource on CSS projects, the next section is dedicated to this particular strategy.
Purpose:
Identify issues
Define needs versus desires
Inform
Solicit input
Build consensus
Examples:
Citizen’s Advisory Committee
Technical Advisory Committee
Staff Work Group
Community Work Group
Business Group
Benefits:
Stakeholders contribute to both identifying and resolving issues
Establishes credibility
Builds community relationships
Offers a means of checks and balances
Constraints:
Staff & resource dependent
Some groups could dominate others
Distribute Public Information Materials
An essential form of communication, Public Information Materials are often visually appealing, and can summarize large amounts of information simply and in a straightforward fashion.
Purpose: Inform
Examples:
Informational Flyers
Project Newsletters
News Releases
Meeting Notices
Pamphlets/Brochures
Benefits:
Establishes credibility
Familiar technique
Generally low cost and easy to produce
Constraints:
Can be expensive, depending upon size of audience
Lacks personal contact
Information can be quickly dated
Launch a Project Website
Websites offer the advantage of continuously providing information to project stakeholders and the general public. More than two-thirds of Americans have access to the internet from home, and most public libraries are equipped with computers that have internet access.
Agency coordination can also be facilitated through the use of a website. A project website can be used as a project collaboration tool by providing downloadable reports, bulletin boards, contact lists, project plans, etc. See Appendix F for additional information about website tools and how they can be used to facilitate public and agency coordination.
Purpose:
Inform
Solicit input
Identify new stakeholders
Examples:
Project information website
Online surveys
Online guest book
Benefits:
Continuous source of information
Widely used by the general public and agencies
Cost effective for larger projects
Constraints: May exclude persons with no computer/internet access
Conduct Meetings
Meetings , the most widely used public involvement technique, provide a setting for public information, discussion, and an opportunity to gain feedback from the community. Public Open houses tend to offer the greatest ability for broad public input. The type of public meeting utilized should be tailored to your target audience, the corridor or region, or the types of stakeholders involved. In some instances, such as public hearings, legal requirements must also be considered.
Purpose:
Inform
Solicit input
Identify issues
Build consensus
Examples:
Workshops
Open Houses
Charettes
Focus Groups
Brainstorming Sessions
Benefits:
Establishes credibility
Puts a “face” with a project
Effective for reaching large and small groups
Constraints: Can require extensive resources
Use Media Outlets
The key to using media for a project is to deliver the central message, no matter which type or types of media strategies are identified. Media strategies are typically led by the project team staff members (GDOT Project Manager, Project Manager, Project Public Information Officer) who are most closely identified with the project, and close coordination with the District Communications Officer. Observing community input and feedback from your media events allows you to determine if the media chosen are appropriate and effective.
Purpose:
Inform
Generate Interest
Examples:
Radio/Television Talk Shows
Public Service Announcements
Events: Transportation Fair
Benefits:
Reaches broad audience
Many people rely on the media for information
Constraints:
Unfamiliar techniques
Can be expensive
