Municipal councils are elected to make decisions on behalf of citizens. However, in order to govern effectively and make decisions that are in the best interest of the diverse communities within municipalities, councils must be willing to consider the community’s perspectives and input when making decisions. The EOEP’s Council’s Role in Public Engagement course will provide an overview of the various ways municipalities can engage with citizens, how public input can be integrated into decision-making, the dangers and limits of involving the public in municipal decisions, and the importance of engagement in supporting sustainable community development.
Module 1: Introduction to Public Engagement
After completing this module, participants will be able to:
- Evaluate the value and challenges of public engagement in their communities
- Understand what public engagement is and what it is not
- Learn what the role of the elected official is in public engagement
Module 2: Public Engagement System Overview
After completing this module, participants will be able to:
- Understand systems thinking around public engagement
Module 3: The Outer Ring
After completing this module, participants will be able to:
- Understand systems thinking around public engagement and the types of decision making that are required for effective public engagement
Module 4: The Middle Ring and Bullseye
After completing this module, participants will be able to:
- Learn what the role of the elected official is in public engagement policies, implementation and decision making
Module 5: Supporting Elements
After completing this module, participants will be able to:
- Understand how to put the pieces together to create a successful public engagement plan
