 Citizen involvement is a key ingredient in the development of any public policy. A Community Conversation allows citizens to discuss several key policy areas and to provide suggestions. Rather than the familiar public hearing model with its usually adversarial and defensive atmosphere, the Community Conversation features leaders as listeners, conversations among neighbors, student perspectives and others with direct feedback through meeting summaries.
The Community Conversation model may also be adapted to involve small group sessions where citizens have detailed, facilitated discussions of diverse issues. Both the small group sessions and large group discussions and presentations are documented through meeting summaries.
Here are some past examples of the The Consensus Council's work in Community Conversations:
Red River Basin Community Conversations
4/12/2003
Community Conversations were held in six communities in the Red River Basin. Nearly 300 citizens voiced their values and brainstormed many suggestions to mitigate flooding and ease daily anxiety. The Consensus Council provided design, facilitation and documentation to help capture their ideas. These discussions planted the seeds producing the Red River Basin Institute, a Prairie Public nightly update called "RiverWatch" and the Greenway on the Red Trust Inc. that responds to requests for a cooperative, transboudary effort.
Local Government Negotiation
3/12/2003
Supported by community conversations, the Local Government Negotiation brought together local government and state leaders to develop tools for local governments to take initiative for the future. The Consensus Council provided the logistics, meeting facilitation and documentation for their work. The "Toolchest" of 70 optional tools include procedures for periodic public planning, consolidation of offices and joint powers agreements. The ND Legislative Assembly approved this major agreement.
Grand Forks - East Grand Forks Community Conversation
3/12/2003
The Consensus Council coordinated and facilitated post-disaster community conversation projects to give the citizens of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and the rural communities of southern Manitoba an opportunity to develop a comprehensive vision for the future following their flood disasters. Their vision was an integral part of the future of the Red River Basin, where a number of proactive initiatives are moving forward years later.
Lake Region Community Conversation
4/12/2002
The Lake Region Community Conversation Project works to help citizens and communities in a six-county area develop and implement regional priorities for their future. Through discussion of values and issues other than the rising water levels in Devils Lake, three innovative initiatives have been launched. They are the Lake Region Ecotourism and Recreation Initiative, the Northeast Education Servics Cooperative joint powers agreement for education and Lake Region Community Center Initiative. The Consensus Council provides design, facilitation and implementation assistance.
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