Thinking Out of The Box - semspub.epa.gov · Thinking Out of The Box: Large Scale, Demographically Representative Approaches to Citizen Engagement Susanna Haas Lyons Program Associate,

www.americaspeaks.org

Thinking Out of The Box:Large Scale, Demographically Representative Approaches to Citizen Engagement

Susanna Haas LyonsProgram Associate, AmericaSpeaks


AmericaSpeaks PurposeEngage citizens in the most

important decisions that impact their lives.


Large Scale


Representative Participation


Decision-maker Involvement


Transparency


New Orleans

Hurricane KatrinaAugust 29, 2005



Goal: Create a recovery plan for the city that has strong public support


December Community Congress, 5 Cities

Facilitated Deliberation


Linked Together By Satellite


+ 16 Cities Linked by Webcast, 21 Total


Large Group Priority Setting

Wireless ComputersPolling Keypads


Reporting Back Themes in Real Time

The Theme Team

Video Projection

Who Participated?

• 2,500 People Across 21 Cities

• 25% w/ Annual Household Income Below $20,000

• 64% African American



Translation

Creating an Inclusive Space

Services• Child care • Transportation

Support• Braille• Large print• Translation• Interpretation

Holistic Program • Greeters• Musicians• Visual artists• Hip hop poets• Stretch breaks• Counselors• Community Info


Recruitment



Robo-Calls & Emails


Online Recruitment TrackingAge: Pre-Katrina, Community Congress II, and

Community Congress III

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

15-19 20-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 over65

Age

Pre-Katrina

Community Congress II

Community CongressIII

Age: Pre-Katrina, Community Congress II, and Community Congress III

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

15-19 20-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 over65

Age

Pre-Katrina



Ethnicity: Pre Katrina, Community Congress II, and Community Congress III

0.00%10.00%20.00%30.00%40.00%50.00%60.00%70.00%80.00%

Black

Asian

White

Latin

oNati

ve A

mer.Mult

i-racia

lOthe

r

Race/ Ethnicity

Pre-Katrina



Ethnicity: Pre Katrina, Community Congress II, and Community Congress III

0.00%10.00%20.00%30.00%40.00%50.00%60.00%70.00%80.00%

Black

Asian

White

Latin

oNati

ve A

mer.Mult

i-racia

lOthe

r

Race/ Ethnicity

Pre-Katrina



What Participants Said

• Safety from Future Flooding• Empower to Rebuild Safe, Stable

Neighborhoods• An Opportunity for All to Return• Sustainable, Equitable Public Services• Schools that Meet the Needs of

Communities


Key Lessons for Engagement

• Demographically representative participants assures credibility for outcomes

• Partnerships and planning key to engaging diverse citizens

• Convening at a large scale captures leadership and media attention


Key Lessons for Engagement

• Public is willing and able to tackle technical issues, tough trade-offs

• Participation develops buy-in and public constituency for implementation

• The right structure, process and content creates new experiences of citizenship



Thank You!

Susanna Haas Lyons [email protected]

Thinking Out of The Box - semspub.epa.gov · Thinking Out of The Box: Large Scale, Demographically Representative Approaches to Citizen Engagement Susanna Haas Lyons Program Associate,

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