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<br /> <br />Facilitating Public Involvement <br /> <br /> <br />Successfully preparing the B2 District Small Area Plan will require that the <br />consultant and staff engage members of the public in a way that elicits opinions <br />from a wide variety of members. This is always one of the more challenging but <br />important aspects of any city planning process, and we have learned these <br />principles from our many years of facilitating meetings, interviews workshops <br />and hearings. <br /> <br />I. listen Respectfully. Listen attentively and honestly acknowledge the merit <br />of each speaker's point. Everything said has merit from the speaker's point <br />of view and each comment contributes to the mosaic of public opinion. <br /> <br />2. Encourage Diverse Opinions. Find ways for all points of view to be heard <br />and for everyone to participate without fear or criticism. <br /> <br />3. Acknowledge that You Heard. Take notes on a large tablet or otherwise let <br />the speaker know that his or her comment was fully heard. If there is any <br />doubt, ensure that you heard correctly by paraphrasing and asking the <br />speakerf()r:tonfirinatioIl~ <br /> <br />8. <br /> <br />Don't Take It Personally. Remember that these matters may bring rise to <br />strong emotions but that anger is not directed toward you personally but <br />toward the circumstances. Change is difficult and scary. <br /> <br />5. Don't Debate. The facilitator should not debate or dispute comments at a <br />meeting but take them in and sort them out later. <br /> <br />6. Ask Questions. Ask questions to elicit more detailed comments or clarify <br />meaning. Pose "what-if' situations to measure the bounds ofpeople's <br />opinioIl~' <br /> <br />Select Effective Techniques. Select participation techniques that are <br />appropriate to the audience and the situation. These may include <br />braihi:;tornlirig,Ullstructuredconverslition,!iOpllllal--grollP'technique, dot- <br />voting, opinion snrveys, open-house presentations, formal theater-style <br />presentations and others. <br /> <br />Lead and Inspire. Help participants envision an attractive future. Encourage <br />them to seek the best outcomes. Base proposals on high ideals tempered by <br />. sound planning principles and a dose of political reality. <br /> <br />8~' Havelilll/-Ericourageparticipatioll ar1d'i"edl:J_ce'jl~g~ti"eemotjons. with a <br />relaxed and friendly style. <br /> <br />Arden Hills Small Area Plan for the 82 District 3.9 <br />