2

IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation

Source: International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) | Type: Fact sheet | Link: Link

Description:
1-page conceptual framework outlining the five-step spectrum of public participation (inform - consult - involve - collaborate - empower). For each phase, discusses the public participation goal, the promise to the public and some sample techniques.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Widely-cited conceptual framework that could be useful in framing policy and educating councillors and staff. For example, could be used in a briefing note for councillors to educate about the concept of public participation or could be included in a Council policy on community engagement.

3

Let’s Talk – a consultation framework

Source: Victorian Local Governance Association (2007) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 22 page document that provides an easy to read overview of some of the key philosophical and practical considerations in undertaking consultation and engagement. The sections ‘why do we talk?’ and ‘how do we talk?’ provide useful context and background reading and are not solely pitched at a council staff member but may be useful for councillors or community members. It could be useful as part of starting a discussion within a group about how or why to undertake community engagement.

Section 5 contains a summary of various community engagement tools and techniques (including the benefits of each and what can go wrong) and is a very useful resource for anyone seeking a succinct introduction to a range of engagement methods.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A good overview resource, with a useful 2-page summary of community engagement tools and techniques in Section 5.

4

Citizen Engagement

Source: Cam McAlpine, PR Media, Presentation to Local Government Leadership Academy (LGLA) Elected Officials Seminars (2012) | Type: Presentation | Link: Link

Description:
Presentation slides which set out basic principles of citizen engagement for local governments in Canada, along with "9 steps to better engagement". Clear and well presented.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Very clear and concise presentation on community engagement which would be a useful beginners’ guide for any local government exploring this issue.

5

Principles for Local Government Public Engagement

Source: Institute of Local Government, California (2012) | Type: Fact sheet | Link: Link

Description:
List of 10 principles for local governments in designing their public engagement strategies.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
These principles would be a useful starting point for a local government wishing to develop a basic community engagement policy.

6

Empowering communities to influence local decision-making: Evidence-based lessons for policy makers and practitioners

Source: Pratchett, L., Durose,C. and Lowndes, V. (2009) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
Paper that looks at lessons from successful community empowerment exercises.Provides an overview of the CLEAR tool, developed by some of the authors: Can do – have the resources and knowledge to participate Like to – have a sense of attachment that reinforces participation Enabled to – are provided with the opportunity for participation Asked to – are mobilised through public agencies and civic channels Responded to – see evidence that their views have been considered.

This is a self-diagnostic tool that a local government can use to evaluate itsapproach to community engagement. The first two elements require a diagnosis of the community (do they have the capacity to engage and do they want to engage), while the other three elements relate to the council’s own practices.

The paper further reviews the evidence about the use of the following tools used to empower community participation: Asset transfer; Citizen governance, Electronic participation; Participatory budgeting; Petitions; Redress.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
The CLEAR tool could be a good starting point for a council to review the community’s and the council’s capacity for community engagement.

7

Citizens as Partners: OECD Handbook on Information, Consultation and Public Participation in Policy-Making

Source: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2001) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
This handbook offers government officials practical assistance in strengthening relations between government and citizens. It combines a brief review of basic concepts, principles, concrete examples of good practice, tools (including new information and communication technologies) as well as tips from practice. The approach and activities shown in this handbook support and complement formal institutions of democracy, and strengthen the democratic process”.

This is a user-friendly guide with practical tips.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
The section on "10 tips for action" would be useful for any local government looking to implement community engagement.

2

Best Value Victoria, Community Consultation Resource Guide

Source: Victorian Local Governance Association (2001) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
This 17 page document contains principles and a set of checklists to apply at various stages of the consultation cycle. The specific stages it addresses include: focus (clarifying focus of the consultation); inclusiveness, accessibility and diversity; provision of information timing; responsiveness and feedback; evaluation; and resourcing.

The checklists include brief, clear and practical prompts to consider in planning a consultation activity. It also briefly describes more traditional methods and more innovative methods which include: e-consultation, simulations, charettes, and large group methods. It contains a ‘consultation chart’, which suggests consultation methods that might be appropriate to specific categories of local government activity.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
General summary of community engagement and consultation approaches.

3

Community engagement in Queensland Local Government: Supporting local governments in developing sustainable futures for communities, neighbourhoods and places

Source: Queensland Department of Infrastructure and Planning (2010) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 46 page guide that provides a summary of community engagement and describes the development and application aspects of community engagement. It can be tailored to suit each Council depending on the stage of maturity of its community engagement practice and includes tools and techniques of good practice in community engagement. It also discusses an appropriate governance framework for community engagement.

Section 3 highlights issues associated with cultural sensitivity and includes a useful case study of the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council.

There is also a summary of the guide available here.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A comprehensive and very useful tool for RRI local governments undertaking community engagement, including case studies and some assessment of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each technique.

4

Community Engagement

Source: WA Department of Local Government (2012) | Type: Online guide | Link: Link

Description:
This online guide provides basic information for local governments on communityengagement as a means to identify long term community goals and priorities. It provides general information on community engagement, including the planning, design and implementation of engagement processes.

The guide also references links to other community engagement resources, including the Queensland Government and the IAP2 websites as supplementary resources.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Basic information, tools and links to other online resources that would be helpful as a starting point for RRI local governments.

5

Redesigning Local Democracy

Source: The Local Government Community Development and Services Association of Australia (2012) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 51 page guide introduces the unique GEM relationship model linking governance, engagement and management. It includes details about the model and other tools to enhance decision making for community wellbeing through the inclusion of citizens in expanded and integrated democratic practices.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Useful to understand community engagement in the broader context of local democratic principles.

6

Excellence in governance for local government

Source: CPA Australia (2004) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
Guide setting out best practices in governance for local governments. Section 9 deals with “Accountability” and section 9.4 discusses “Consultation” Includes a list of the “key elements of a consultation process”.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Broad overview of consultation, but does not include practical tools or guidance.

7

Local Government Participatory Practices Manual: A toolkit to support public participation in municipal decision-making

Source: International Centre for Municipal Development, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (2007) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
89-page toolkit developed to capture best practices in public participation by Canadian local governments, to assist local governments elsewhere.

Contains detailed descriptions of fifteen tools used to support public participation in local government, comprising: Information Publication; Resource Centre; Community Outreach; Electronic Bulletin Board; Public Meeting; Public Hearing; Open House; Workshop; Design Charrette; Focus Group; Survey; Participatory Television; Mediation Session; Citizen Advisory Group; Referendum. Description of each tool includes checklists and tips.

The toolkit also includes a series of three worksheets intended to provide readers with an opportunity to explore the application of the participatory tools to their own communities: 'Preparing an information publication'; 'Planning a public meeting'; and 'Organising a citizen advisory group'.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
This toolkit contains practical information and tips about a suite of community engagement tools used by Canadian local governments. The worksheets are useful templates for planning and implementing the tools.

8

Planning for Stronger Democracy: A Field Guide for Local Officials

Source: National League of Cities (2011) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
84-page field guide for US local government managers about how to engagethe public in local governance. Guide provides conceptual frameworks and key questions to ask in developing a community engagement strategy. Suggests “potential next steps” but does not provide detail about particular techniques, apart from a number of case studies.

Appendix 1 contains an outline of how to run a planning meeting to develop a “shared public engagement infrastructure” (i.e. a community engagement strategy.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
More relevant to larger metropolitan local governments. More detailed than necessary for a RRI local government seeking to develop a community engagement strategy.

9

CLEAR: A self-assessment tool for citizen participation at the local level

Source: Council of Europe (2011) | Type: Online tool | Link: Link

Description:
The CLEAR tool for self-assessing community engagement by local authorities was endorsed by the European Committee on Local and Regional Democracy of the Council of Europe following testing by local authorities across Europe.

CLEAR stands for:
Can do – have the resources and knowledge to participate
Like to – have a sense of attachment that reinforces participation
Enabled to – are provided with the opportunity for participation
Asked to – are mobilised through public agencies and civic channels
Responded to – see evidence that their views have been considered.

This detailed diagnostic tool sets out a series of detailed questions around these five areas.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
The CLEAR tool is a useful framework but is more suited to municipal local governments than the RRI context.

10

Involving people: a practical guide

Source: Voluntary Action Westminster (UK) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
Practical guide produced by a UK charitable organisation to assist frontline public service staff wanting to improve services by engaging the community. Provides guidance about how to choose an engagement method and then details for two categories of engagement: one-off or ongoing.

One-off methods outlined are: Café consultations; Focus groups; Fun days and festivals; Using the creative arts to involve people; Interviews; Involving people in recruitment; Mystery shoppers; Posters and leaflets; Open space events; Public meetings; Surveys and questionnaires; Video booth; Visioning workshops.

Ongoing methods outlined are: Active suggestion boxes; Talking to people; Newsletters; Representatives on committees; User forums.

For each method, the guide discusses: when to use; when not to use; before (checklist on preparation); during (checklist for running it); and after.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
This is a very useful practical guide for frontline staff. Although it is written for the UK context, it is pitched at an accessible level of detail for staff of RRI local governments, and outlines some of the simple methods most likely to be suitable in the RRI context (e.g. focus groups, fun days, public meetings, surveys, suggestion boxes, newsletters etc). Practical checklists for events would be useful.

2

Effective Engagement: building relationships with community and other stakeholders - Book 1: an introduction to engagement

Source: Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2005) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 48 page guide outlines the principles and importance of effective engagement and sets out a model for planning and managing best-practice engagement activities with communities and other stakeholders.It references the IAP2 public participation spectrum and also includes lists ofrelvant publications and websites.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A useful overview of community engagement principles and planning.

3

Effective Engagement: building relationships with community and other stakeholders - Book 2: the engagement planning workbook

Source: Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2005) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 48 page practical guide that takes the reader step-by-step through an engagement planning process using an ‘evidence-based’ approach. This book also provides a number of sample engagement planning documents and engagement case studies.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A very useful and comprehensive workbook for planning and delivering engagement, including several worksheets and templates, but likely to be too detailed for RRI councils.

4

Effective Engagement: building relationships with community and other stakeholders - Book 3: the engagement toolkit

Source: Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2005) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 104 page guide containing a very detailed list and explanation of 68 different engagement tools for assisting in the planning, implementation and evaluation of community engagement activities.

It covers 68 types of engagement, from those that ‘inform’ through to ‘those that empower’, with detailed descriptions including objectives, resources required, a discussion of their strengths and weakness, as well as references for further exploration.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Very detailed and comprehensive toolkit for community engagement providing 1-2 pages on 68 different tools and techniques. Would be a useful reference for an RRI Council seeking to use one of these techniques. For example, contains 2 page guide to running a community meeting or a workshop.

5

Engaging Queenslanders

Source: Queensland Department of Communities (2011) | Type: Series of guides (also available as online resources) | Link: Link

Description:
‘The Engaging Queenslanders’ series of guides are designed to provide practical advice and information for community engagement practitioners. While written for Queensland, these guides are relevant nationally.

Available guides:
- An introduction to community engagement
- Community engagement methods and techniques
- Community engagement in the business of government
- Engaging people with a disability
- Evaluating community engagement
- Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities
- Working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
- An information kit for CALD communities.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
This is a thorough suite of community engagement guides for use by RRI local governments.

6

Engaging Queenslanders: An introduction to community engagement

Source: Queensland Department of Communities (2005) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 20 page introductory guide to provide Queensland Government public sector employees with a good understanding of community engagement and effective engagement practices.

This resource defines engagement and levels of engagement, outlines the global trends and drivers for increased community involvement in government planning and decision making, and describes the current state of affairs in Queensland.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A good basic introductory guide to community engagement that would be useful as a starting point for RRI councils.

7

Engaging Queenslanders: A guide to community engagement methods and techniques

Source: Queensland Department of Communities (2005) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 63 page guide that brings together introductory information on a range of traditional and innovative techniques to assist public sector employees and other practitioners to choose the most appropriate community engagement processes.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A useful overview of community engagement methods and techniques for RRI councils, with some analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each method.

8

Engaging Queenslanders: Community engagement in the business of government

Source: Queensland Department of Communities (2005) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 40 page guide that provides practical guidance to improving community engagement in policy development and planning processes. This resource identifies opportunities for agencies to improve their engagement practices and capabilities and provides valuable guidance to those planning, approving and implementing engagement activities and programs and examines the organisational and cultural changes required within government agencies to achieve sustainable improvements in community engagement.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A useful guide that can be equally applied to local government policy development and planning processes for RRI councils.

9

Consumer and Community Participation Toolkit for Queensland Health Staff

Source: Queensland Health (2002) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
This toolkit is intended as a user-friendly, easily accessible resource which contains information, case examples, methods, tools and resources for health staff wishing to increase community participation. It sets out 10 steps to developing the community participation plan and provides information and checklists for the following tools: surveys; in-depth interviews; focus groups; public meetings/forums; committee meetings (reference groups, steering committees); and workshops.

Toolkit also includes the following templates and resources:
- Sample letter of invitation to participate in carer survey
- Example of steering committee terms of reference
- Terms of reference template
- Example of a workshop evaluation form
- Ideas for consumer and community participation workshop activities with staff.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Although written for a public health context, the tools outlined in this guide would be relevant to local governments and the checklists are clear, if basic.

10

Community Engagement in the NSW Planning System

Source: Planning NSW | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 144 page comprehensive Community Engagement Handbook and its companion website (www.iplan.nsw.gov.au/engagement/) were developed by a unique partnership of practitioners and advisers as a single, comprehensive, easy to read resource for practitioners in the NSW planning and development system.

The handbook and website are a starting point for practical guidance on how to conduct quality processes of community engagement. Designed with local and State government environmental planning practitioners in mind, the handbook and website are also useful for others who use the planning and development system, including the development industry, businesses, residents, interest groups and community organisations.

The handbook includes:
- a guide to NSW plan making and development assessment processes, including the planFIRST reforms to the planning system
- leading practice principles that underpin successful engagement processes
- descriptions of commonly used engagement techniques
- a step-by-step model for designing, planning, organising, implementing and evaluating any process
- current practice examples for some of the most common techniques
- guidance on the resource implications of each technique
- sources of further information and resources to support engagements.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A comprehensive guide to community engagement in the NSW context, but is applicable to other jurisdictions at the State, regional or local level. It may be too detailed for the needs of many RRI councils.

11

Health Canada Policy Toolkit for Public Involvement in Decision-Making

Source: Health Canada (2000) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
152 page toolkit for use by policymakers. In addition to general contextual information and policy statements, the tookit includes practical guidelines for planning, designing, implementing and evaluating a range of public involvement techniques and an information toolkit that describes an array of public involvement techniques, provides relevant case studies.

Different techniques are categorised under a hierarchy of five levels of public participation: inform/educate, gather information, discuss/Involve, engage, and partner.

44 different engagement techniques are discussed in detail in terms of the following questions: What is it? How it works? When is it most useful? Logistics and limits? Cost implications? Expectations for feedback or follow up? Timelines? Potential pitfalls?

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
The detailed information and evaluation of each technique would be useful in considering the options and planning a specific engagement process. However, many of the techniques are more relevant to large State or Federal agencies rather than small local governments.

12

Handbook on Citizen Engagement: Beyond Consultation

Source: Sheedy, A., Canadian Policy Research Networks (2008) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
54 page handbook aimed at public servants providing information about citizen engagement principles and practices.

Chapters include:
- What is citizen engagement?
- Why citizen engagement?
- Institutionalizing citizen engagement;
- Engaging members of specific populations;
- Engaging Aboriginal Communities;
- Getting Started;
- Case Examples; and
- Practical Tips.

Defines citizen engagement in terms of the more intensive forms of engagement involving two way flow of information in an iterative fashion, which therefore excludes public participation that is simply about informing/educating or consulting.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Chapter on Getting Started provides steps to work through in designing a citizen engagement process, but might be more complex than required for the context of Rural-Remote and Indigenous local governments.

13

Resource Guide on Public Engagement

Source: National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (2010) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
20 page guide that pulls together a wide range of information and resources about leading practices and models for community engagement.

Sets out some general conceptual information followed by tables setting out the various community engagement techniques that practitioners have evolved and the circumstances in which they would be used. Focuses on four streams of community engagement: exploration; conflict transformation; decision-making; and action. Different techniques are suitable depending on which objective is being sought.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Excellent introductory resource providing a snapshot of models and approaches to community engagement, including a description of the various techniques.

14

Public Deliberation: A Manager’s Guide to Citizen Engagement

Source: Lukensmeyer, C. and Torres, L., IBM Center for the Business of Government (2006) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
68-page guide for managers discussing the concept of citizen engagement and setting out some models for face to face and online engagement.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Possibly too high level and conceptual to be of practical value to RRI local governments, although it does contain some useful frameworks and discussion of specific techniques.

15

Democratic Dialogue - A Handbook for Practitioners

Source: Canadian International Development Agency (2007) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
This 260-page guide “aims to provide decision-makers, dialogue promoters and practitioners with a practical guide on how to organize, facilitate and assess dialogue processes. It combines conceptual and practical knowledge, while providing practitioners with an extensive repertoire of relevant tools, experiences and approaches adapted to the issue at stake, the local context and the stakeholders involved.”

This is a very detailed guide to developing participatory processes, with a focus on the international development context. However, Appendix 2 contains an overview of a suite of “process options and process tools” such as World Cafe, Future Search, Change Lab, 21st Century Town Meeting.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Likely to be too detailed for the needs of RRI local governments and context is international development field, rather than local government.

16

People & Participation: How to put citizens at the heart of decision-making

Source: Involve, UK (2005) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
Guide produced by a United Kingdom public participation advocacy organisation, Involve. Based on extensive research and discussions with practitioners. Encourages organisations to be selective about the choice of public participation method to use. This choice should be made by considering: Purpose + Context + Process = Outcome.

Contains general discussion about the values and the key principles that underpin public participation.

It also sets out guidance for the steps in planning for public participation: 1 Scope, 2 Purpose, 3 Who to involve, 4 Outputs, 5 Outcomes, 6 Context, 7 Final design of the process, 8 Institutional response and 9 Review.

Finally, the guide has detailed information and analysis of the following range of participation methods: Appreciative Inquiry, Citizens’ Juries, Citizens’ Panels, Community Empowerment Networks, Consensus Building/Dialogue, Consensus Conference, Deliberative Mapping, Deliberative Polling, Democs, Electronic processes, Future Search Conference, Participatory Appraisal, Participatory Strategic Planning (ICA), Planning for Real, Open Space Technology, User Panels, Youth Empowerment Initiatives.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
The background discussion and overview of the planning process is clearly set out and would be useful in educating local government officers about the principles and practices of community engagement. However, many of the detailed participation methods would be more suited to larger urban councils than RRI.

2

Engaging Queenslanders: Introduction to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Source: Queensland Department of Communities (2005) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 49 page guide that is designed to enhance existing tools of engagement and provide guidelines which can be interpreted as each experience of engagement requires. It provides historical and contextual information to assist engagement practices with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The guide covers all aspects of engagement, including planning, community engagement techniques and building engagement capacity. It also provides information about visiting remote Indigenous communities, as well as engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in urban communities.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A practical and useful guide about engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland, but the concepts can be readily applied for RRI local governments in other states.

3

Protocols for Consultation and Negotiation with Aboriginal People

Source: Queensland Government (1999) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 38 page guide to assist consultations with Queensland Aboriginal individuals, groups and/or communities. The information is useful for consultations held in urban, rural and remote settings.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Older guide that is useful for consultations with Aboriginal Queenslanders.

4

Mina mir lo ailan mun - proper communication with Torres Strait Islander people

Source: Queensland Government (1999) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 23 page guide to assist consultations with Queensland Torres Strait Islander individuals, groups and/or communities. The information is useful for consultations held in urban, rural and remote settings.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Older guide that is useful for consultations with Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

5

Consulting Citizens: Engaging with Aboriginal Western Australians

Source: WA Department of the Premier and Cabinet (2005) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 31 page guide outlining principles and practical means by which Government and Aboriginal people might begin the process of engagement through active and appropriate consultation.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A guide for Aboriginal consultation and engagement in WA that contains historical background and broad principles and a short description of protocols.

6

Noongar Consultation Protocol Guidelines - Swan and Canning Rivers Iconic Trails Project

Source: South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
This 9 page guide to consultation with the Noongar community in the south west region of Western Australia. It outlines both principles and protocols for consultation, along with some process/community engagement guidelines.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
This is specific to the Swan and Canning River Iconic Trails Project but contains some general principles about consulting Aboriginal people in WA.

7

Guide to Community to Community Forums in British Columbia

Source: Union of British Columbia Municipalities (2007) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
40-page guide for British Columbia local governments on how to run forums to engage with First Nations communities. These forums were supported by a grantsprogram run by UBCM.

The guide sets out the steps involved in organising a forum. It includes a sample agenda, event plan, report and resulting MoU.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Remote Australian local governments might consider this model for engaging with Indigenous communities within their boundaries.

2

Engaging Queenslanders: An information kit for culturally and linguistically diverse communities

Source: Queensland Department of Communities | Type: Online information kit | Link: Link

Description:
This kit contains 8 factsheets aimed at helping people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities understand the ways to get involved with the Queensland Government. It has been produced by the Department of Communities in partnership with Multicultural Affairs Queensland, with assistance from organisations and individuals representing Queensland's culturally diverse communities.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Useful information on engaging CALD communities.

3

Engaging Queenslanders: A guide to engaging people with a disability

Source: Queensland Department of Communities (2007) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 39 page guide to support government staff to strengthen public sector engagement with people with a disability, by providing both good practice and contextual information. The guide acknowledges that successful engagement programs are likely to also involve the families and carers of people with a disability, people who work for disability organisations in a paid or voluntary capacity, public advocates, academics and others with an active interest in disability issues.

The guide begins by outlining current Queensland Government strategies for engaging with the disability sector and details how to plan, manage and evaluate processes which effectively engage people with a disability and the diverse people and organisations they connect with. A range of positive strategies are described, along with suggestions for managers to support staff engaging with people with a disability.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A useful guide focussed on engaging people with disabilities.

4

Community Capacity Building Online Toolkit for Rural and Regional Communities

Source: Queensland Department of Communities (2005) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
The 31 page online toolkit provides practical, easy to read information and resources for community development worker, state or local government officers working with communities, or individuals with a passion for a project that will benefit their communities. It includes many suggestions for effective ways to work with communities, links to extra resources, funding sources, tips on helpful contacts, and stories from people who have worked together to improve their community in both large and small ways. Most of the material has been drawn from Australian research and experiences, although there are also links to particularly useful international resources.

The toolkit has been developed by the Queensland Department of Communities in response to conversations with people in rural and regional communities through the Blueprint for the Bush. It also has links with the Strengthening NGOs project, particularly the Community Door website — a 'one-stop shop' for information, tools and resources to support community-based organisations in Queensland.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A toolkit focussing specifically on capacity building for rural and regional communities.

5

Implementing the Principles of Multiculturalism Locally: A planning guide for Western Australian Local Governments

Source: Government of Western Australia, Department of Local Government, Office of Multicultural Interests (2010) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 52 page guide to assist local governments plan, provide services and report in a way that is inclusive of the needs of residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Using a decision-making framework, explanation of terms, tested tips and case studies showcasing the experiences of several WA local governments, the guide is a practical resource for improving local governments’ responsiveness to the increasingly diverse needs of our communities.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Contains general information about engaging with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

2

Community Engagement and Empowerment: A Guide for Councillors

Source: Improvement and Development Agency, UK (2010) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
Guide for local government councillors in the United Kingdom dealing with how to engage and empower the community. Topics covered include:
1. Community empowerment – what it means for councillors
2. Some activities that help councillors work with their communities
3. The support you might need to work with your local community
4. Developing your skills to support community empowerment
5. Responding to community empowerment.

The guide also includes two resources to assist councillors; the ‘CLEAR’ tool for self-diagnosis of community and council capacity for engagement, and IDeA diagnostic questions.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
This is one of the few guides written specifically for elected councillors, although it is specifically written for UK local government. The questions used in the CLEAR self-diagnostic tool could be used in other contexts.

3

So You Want to be a Councillor? Module 6: Working with your community

Source: Queensland Department of Local Government | Type: Online guide (for councillors) | Link: Link

Description:
Part of a six-module resource for prospective candidates for local government election in Queensland. Other modules explain the local government system, elections, roles and responsibilities of councillors and financial and corporate management.

Module 6 contains three webpages dealing with how to work with the community. It explains the legislative requirements for community planning and community engagement, including extracts from the relevant legislation. Another page discusses “Stakeholders in local government”, while the third page is a basic outline of “Community engagement”.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A concise outline of the role of councillors in community planning and community engagement, but tailored to the Queensland legislative requirements.

4

Councillor Induction and Professional Development: A Guide for Councils

Source: NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet (2012) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
This 19 page basic guide provides information for councils to assist with the development and implementation of councillor induction programs for newly elected councillors. It also provides guidance to councils on developing and implementing ongoing training and professional development programs that assist councillors to continue to develop their skills and knowledge throughout their term in office as the need and opportunity arises.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Basic information about developing an induction program for councillors.

1

Community Planning Toolkit

Source: Queensland Local Government Community Services Association | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
This 48 page Toolkit supports local government in Queensland, by supplying a consistent set of tools to engage communities and develop effective community plans. It includes descriptions of community planning, how community plans relate to other planning processes, “how to” information and templates and examples, resources and reference material. It supports the internal capacity of Councils, increasing the skills and confidence of staff and Councillors to engage with their communities and make it easier for councils to develop and implement community plans.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A useful introductory guide to community planning and engagement.

2

Embedding Community Priorities into Council Planning

Source: Local Government Professionals Corporate Planner’s Network (2008) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
This 54 page document is a set of guidelines to support the Victorian Local Government sector in the effective integration of Community and Council Planning. It provides an overview of council planning and a more detailed analysis of the key principles and practices of community planning. It also highlights different approaches to community and council planning by Victorian local governments and includes practical guidance for integrating community planning and council planning, with case examples.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Illustrates the processes for integration of council and community planning, with relevant case examples.

4

Community Visioning: The Oregon Model

Link: Link

Description:
The “Oregon Model” is a tool for community visioning used as part of local community planning processes. It is derived from the work of the American Planning Association in the “Oregon Visions Project”. The four steps involve:
1. Profiling the community (where are we now?)
2. Analyzing the trends (where are we going?
3. Creating the vision (where do we want to be?)
4. Developing an Action Plan (how do we get there?)

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
This is a simple outline of a community visioning process that could be applied in any context, including RRI councils.

2

First Nations Communications Toolkit

Source: Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada (2007) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
94-page toolkit for First Nations government officials on communications planning, publications, events, community engagement and media relations. Includes numerous templates, tips and examples: including: event planning checklist; facilitators’ checklist; community meetings checklist.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
For Indigenous local governments, this toolkit includes some useful templates, checklists and advice, even though it is written for the Canadian Aboriginal context.

3

Community Strategic Planning Toolkit

Source: Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (2005) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
50-page toolkit sets out a step-by-step process for conducting a community strategic planning process in a Canadian First Nations community. 17 steps are identified, from creating a strategic planning committee, engaging the community, holding community focus group meetings, developing action plans, writing the strategic planning report and putting it into action.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
This is a practical toolkit that sets out a simple process suitable for Indigenous local governments to engage the community in the development of a strategic community plan.

4

BCAFN Governance Toolkit

Source: British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (2012) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
This toolkit sets out a wide range of information to assist First Nations Governments. Part 3 of the toolkit is a 176-page “Guide to Community Engagement”. The toolkit contains substantial contextual information about FIrst Nations Governments in Canada and the case for governance reforms.

Section 2 of Part 3 of the Guide contains information about running effective community meetings, including lists of things to consider, advice about good facilitation, how to resolve conflict, the impact of the internet and social media, how to mobilize resources, and an outline of a community engagement strategy.

Tools and templates include a facilitator’s checklist and a community meeting checklist.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
The general advice about community meetings and the tools and templates would be useful for Indigenous local governments undertaking community engagement. However, much of the contextual information would not be relevant in the Australian context.

5

CCP Handbook - Comprehensive Community Planning for First Nations in British Columbia

Source: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (2006) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
This toolkit sets out the steps involved in running a comprehensive community planning process in a First Nations context. It contains a step by step guide from Pre-Planning, Planning, Implementation and Monitoring & Evaluation, plus a range of tools and templates, including:
- Terms of Reference for a Planning Team
- Comprehensive Community Planning Checklist
- How and When to Engage Community Members
- Ways to Increase Participation
- Community Groups to Engage and Involve
- Communication Tips
- Steps to Hire a Planning Consultant.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
This toolkit contains some useful templates and tools that could be used by RRI local governments in conducting community planning processes and engaging the community in such processes. It is pitched at a practical level for smaller councils.

6

Ahp-cii-uk: A Handbook for Creating Lasting Change in First Nation Communities

Source: weavingrelationships.org | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
This 64-page report documents a community engagement and planning process undertaken by First Nations communities on Vancouver Island, Canada.

It explains the process of facilitating a community dialogue, leadership workshops and a series of planning meetings to engage the community in comprehensive community planning. Also discusses the governance arrangements for the process, and includes a how-to summary.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Useful case study for an Indigenous local government seeking to engage the community in community planning.

2

Consult your community: A handbook - A guide to using the residents’ feedback register

Source: Dr Lyn Carson (2001) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 32 page guide to assist councils in establishing and managing a residents’ feedback register (RFR), providing models, references and some background information. A RFR typically involves several hundred residents registered. Participants would normally serve for a period of two to four years and would be called upon to complete a survey, prepared by Council, about three to five times per year.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A step-by-step guide to residents’ feedback registers. This process might be too resource-intensive for many RRI councils.

3

Ideas for Community Consultation: A discussion on principles and procedures for making consultation work

Source: The NSW Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (2001) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 57 page report that presents ideas for achieving better community consultation, as a strategic part of the reform of the plan making system in NSW at the time. The report outlines a four-step consultation model and details a range of procedures for consultative methods, including search conferences, deliberative polls/televoting, citizens’ juries, consensus conferences, focus groups, charrette, and residents’ feedback panels.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Provides useful guidance about using a small range of specific consultation techniques. Would be of value to an RRI council wishing to use one of these techniques.

4

IAP2 Public Participation Toolbox

Source: International Association for Public Participation (2006) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
15-page toolbox in table format setting out information about different public participation techniques. For each Technique, document discusses “Think it through”, “What can go right?” and “What can go wrong?”.

Contains sections on techniques to share information, techniques to compile and provide feedback, and techniques to bring people together.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Concise summary of the different techniques for public participation. Used in IAP2’s Certificate in Public Participation Course.

5

Planning Public Engagement: Key Questions for Local Officials

Source: Institute of Local Government, California (2012) | Type: Fact sheet | Link: Link

Description:
2 page fact sheet setting out 14 questions for local government managers to ask in relation to any community participation exercise they are planning.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Very useful tip sheet for a local government manager planning a community engagement exercise.

6

Working with Public Engagement Consultants: Tips for Local Officials

Source: Institute of Local Government, California (2012) | Type: Fact sheet | Link: Link

Description:
Short fact sheet providing tips about engaging a consultant to assist with community engagement.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Very useful tip sheet for a local government manager planning a community engagement exercise.

7

World Cafe Toolkit

Source: theworldcafe.com (2012) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
World Cafe is a popular community engagement workshop technique. The website includes the “Cafe to Go” guide to running a World Cafe process and a World Cafe Checklist.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Useful “how to” guide for an informal workshop process that would be readily applicable in the RRI local government context.

2

Tip Sheets for Online Community Engagement

Source: Bang the Table Pty Ltd (2012) | Type: Online guide/resources | Link: Link

Description:
Bang the Table offer a range of online community engagement tip sheets, including: Why engage online?; online community engagement spectrum; 10 golden rules for online engagement; and advantages and disadvantages of online engagement.

There are also numerous blogs with relevant information for online community engagement practitioners on this website.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Useful tip sheets for RRI councils considering how to engage communities using online medium. Some of these resources focus on use with the “Bang the Table” online engagement platform, which is a paid service.

3

Using Online Tools to Engage – and be Engaged by – the Public

Source: Leighninger, M., IBM Center for the Business of Government (2012) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
41 page report that intends to “provide practical and concrete tactics and tools for busy public managers as they actively pursue efforts to better engage both their employees and citizens in uncovering innovative approaches, making better decisions, and delivering more effective services to the public.”

Very simple and user-friendly format. Discusses 5 scenarios where a practitioner might want to engage the public and highlights the different tactics that could be used. Goes on to discuss each of the 10 tactics and set out online tools that can be used for each tactic.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Very simple, practical and up to date guide on how to use new online technology for citizen engagement. Some examples are from the local government sphere. Many of the tactics would be beyond the capacity of RRI local governments, but some of the options such as online surveys and use of twitter might be of interest.

4

A Local Official’s Guide to Online Public Engagement (draft)

Source: Institute of Local Government, California (2012) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
Practical 24-page guide for local government on how to use online media for public engagement. Provides advice on developing strategies to use online tools for either (a) information-sharing (b) consultation or (c) deliberative processes.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
This would be an excellent starting point for a local government manager considering options for online public engagement.

5

Get Involved Online Consultation Toolkit

Source: Queensland Government (2012) | Type: Online consultation interface | Link: Link

Description:
The GetInvolved online consultation toolkit is a suite of online community engagement tools freely available to Queensland Government agencies. It is designed for capturing and reporting community feedback on public policy, but can also be used for internal feedback.

Get Involved delivers over 100 policy consultations a year and the consultation tools are continually improving to meet the needs of Government and the community. The tools include a consultation dashboard, online surveys, forums, and polls.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
An example of a web interface that facilitates community feedback on a wide range of government proposals. However, this interface is only for use by Queensland Government agencies.

6

The Promise and Problems of Online Deliberation

Source: Black, L. Kettering Foundation (2011) | Type: Article | Link: Link, infographic

Description:
50-page paper that discusses the use of online media for public participation in governance. Considers a range of media types, including blogs, social media, texting/sms, chat, discussion boards, budgeting tools, web conference, wikis and virtual worlds.

Accompanied by a clear 1-page infographic summarises the various online tools and in what situation they might be considered.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Useful evaluation of the various online methods of community engagement.

7

A local government guide to social media

Source: Jason Dawson, Northland Regional Council, New Zealand (2010) | Type: Presentation | Link: Link

Description:
A presentation outlining useage of social media in the New Zealand local government context. Practical tips and case examples for useage of Twitter, Facebook, wikipedia, LinkedIn, YouTube, MeetUps, Blogs, FourSquare and tracking using google and other sites.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Practical tips and examples of a council’s use of social media. While RRI Councils are unlikely to have the resources to use all of the social media platforms mentioned, the tips could be useful for them in using key platforms like facebook.

8

Social media tips and tools

Source: Jason Dawson, Northland Regional Council, New Zealand (2010) | Type: Presentation | Link: Link

Description:
A presentation covering tips and tools for social media management, monitoring, policy and during a crisis.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Could have useful guidance for RRI Councils in use of social media effectively during natural disasters.

9

Engage: Getting on with Government 2.0 - Report of the Government 2.0 Taskforce

Source: Government 2.0 Taskforce (2009) | Type: Report | Link: Link

Description:
Section 4 of the Report considers online engagement practices and some of the issues involved for public servants.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Contextual information about online engagement by government, but does not provide practical tools for councils.

2

Community Engagement Policy (GRC-012)

Source: Gympie Regional Council (2012) | Type: Policy | Link: Link

Description:
The Community Engagement Policy seeks to: outline Council’s understanding of the term ‘community engagement’; affirm Council’s ongoing commitment to meaningful community engagement; provide a platform for the development, review and amendment of Council’s Community Plan; and inform Council’s ‘Guide to Engagement’ which outlines organisational practices to ensure community engagement is properly planned and implemented.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A good example of a simple community engagement policy of a rural council, based the Queensland legislative requirements for community engagement.

3

Community Engagement Policy

Source: Sunshine Coast Council (2009) | Type: Policy | Link: Link

Description:
A 5 page policy that provide direction for Council’s community engagement activities. It defines the principles underpinning Council’s engagement activities, the role of councillors and staff in engaging with the community, and the mechanisms which council will use to engage the community.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A useful example of a community engagement policy that could assist RRI councils in developing their own policy.

4

Community Engagement Framework

Source: Sunshine Coast Council (2009) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
The Community Engagement Framework contains the following key components: Sunshine Coast Council Community Engagement Policy; the context of community engagement in local government decision making process; key protocols relevant to council and the Sunshine Coast community; and the 8 STEP PROCESS to guide the planning, implementation and evaluation of your community engagement plan.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A very useful framework for local government community engagement, based on IAP2 principles. It includes a detailed step by step process and also covers Indigenous consultation protocols.

5

Community Engagement Toolkit - Your ‘hands on’ guide to engaging communities

Source: Sunshine Coast Council (2009) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
The Community Engagement Toolkit is a companion guide to the Community Engagement Framework developed by council to ensure consistency and excellence when engaging with the community and internally. The Community Engagement Toolkit contains a description of techniques for: information sharing; seeking feedback; e-Engagement; involving groups of people; and closing the loop.

Each technique description covers considerations for delivery, ideas for evaluation, tips and associated costs. The Toolkit also contains information about recording and collating input, evaluating community engagement processes, available council resources and useful templates to assist with implementation.

Similar content to the Warringah Council Community Engagement Toolkit.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A very useful and comprehensive toolkit for local government officers planning and undertaking community engagement activities. It outlines a range of techniques and also includes useful templates.

6

Community Engagement Policy

Source: Warringah Council, NSW (2011) | Type: Policy | Link: Link

Description:
A 7 page community engagement policy that sets the framework for all community engagement activities conducted by Warringah Council.

It defines the principles underpinning Council’s engagement activities, the role of councillors and staff in engaging with the community and the methods which Council will use to engage with the community. The model is based on IAP2 principles.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A very useful example of a community engagement policy that could assist RRI councils in developing their own policy.

7

Community Engagement Toolkit

Source: Warringah Council, NSW (2011) | Type: Toolkit | Link: Link

Description:
A 51 page toolkit provides practical guidance on different tools and techniques that can be used to undertake different types of community engagement. It reinforces the five levels of community participation recommended in the Matrix based on the IAP2 spectrum for public participation.

It includes detailed information and advice on ‘how to’ undertake each of the engagement methods and tools listed in the Community Engagement Matrix (for each level of community participation) and provides more specific guidelines and protocols to support ‘good practice’ in engagement activities.

Similar content to the Sunshine Coast Community Engagement Toolkit.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A good resource for RRI councils, providing detailed advice on ‘how to’ undertake a range of community engagement activities.

8

Community Engagement Matrix

Source: Warringah Council, NSW (2011) | Type: Guide | Link: Link

Description:
A 29 page planning guide to be used in conjunction with the Community Engagement Toolkit. It provides staff with direction on engagement planning and provides guidance on when and how staff should engage with the community.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A good resource for RRI councils, providing advice for planning community engagement activities.

9

Surf Coast Shire Council Governance Manual

Source: Surf Coast Shire Council (2011) | Type: Case example | Link: Link

Description:
A 21 page guide for both Councillors and the community at large have an understanding of the definition of good governance and also how all people associated with Council can participate in good governance. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of elected councillors.

Section 5 outlines “How we make decisions at Surf Coast” and also includes information about community consultation processes.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Governance guide for RRI councillors.

10

Community Engagement Showcase - Leading practice examples in Local Government in South Australia

Source: Local Government Association of South Australia (2007) | Type: Case study | Link: Link

Description:
A 33 page showcase document that provides twenty-five case studies of Council approaches to engaging their communities are documented in the publication, including two case examples with Aboriginal communities.

The document provides a snapshot of SA community engagement policies and practices, along with a definition of community engagement based on an adapted IAP2 participation spectrum.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Some useful case examples of community engagement practices in local governments.

11

City of Fremantle Community Engagement Framework

Source: City of Fremantle (2010) | Type: Community engagement framework | Link: Link

Description:
This 11 page framework seeks to provide elected members, staff and the wider community with a set of shared principles, goals and objectives for community engagement. The framework is based on the IAP2 spectrum and includes a definition of community engagement, along with details about why, how, when, who and at what level community should be engaged.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Simple example of community engagement policy/framework that includes a useful description of the respective roles of councillors and staff.

2

Engaging Your Communities

Source: Local Government Learning Solutions (Local Government Shires Association of NSW) (2012) | Type: Training webinar (1 hour) | Link: Link (fee charged for viewing)

Description:
The 1 hour training webinar session covers the basics of community engagement for local government councillors and staff.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Introductory 1 hour webinar on community engagement.

3

Dialogue, Deliberation and Public Engagement: Master Class

Source: School of Humanities and Communication, University of Western Sydney (2012) | Type: Training | Link: Link

Description:
A three-day workshop for those working in the field of community engagement and public participation—consultants, change agents, community development practitioners, and policy makers. It builds on skills, knowledge and intuitive sensibility to wisely bring forms of dialogue, deliberation and engagement into situations where they are most effective.

The program was developed in collaboration with the International Institute for Sustained Dialogue, the Kettering Foundation and the Public Dialogue Consortium. The program won the IAP2 2009 Jim Creighton award for its development of excellence in the practice of public engagement, its commitment to research in support of practice, its international scope and its alignment with the core values of public engagement endorsed by IAP2.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A useful community engagement course based on IAP2 that is held annually in Sydney.

4

Effective Engagement

Source: Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment | Type: Training | Link: Link

Description:
A comprehensive community engagement planning course, which introduces participants to community engagement planning. Through participating in a rigorous ‘learning by doing’ course methodology, participants gain experience in developing community engagement plans and being able to discern effective community engagement from "tokenistic community consultation". Participants will also be able to ensure that community engagement is much more than providing opportunities for the vocal minority.

Course details:
- Introduction to Community Engagement (1 day) cost $175
- Community Engagement Planning - Fundamentals (2 days) cost $650
- Advanced Community Engagement Planning (1 day) cost $175.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
A comprehensive training program on community engagement that would be valuable for RRI councils.

2

Participedia.net

Source: Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University | Type: Internet resource centre | Link: Link

Description:
Participedia is an open global knowledge community for researchers and practitioners in the field of democratic innovation and public engagement. Examples of content include articles on the British Columbia Citizens Assembly of 2004, participatory budgeting in Porto Alegre and other cities, local school council governance in Chicago, municipal evaluation meetings in China, and the People’s Campaign for Democratic Decentralization in Kerala, India. Also includes articles on participatory methods such as deliberative polling, citizens’ assemblies, and participatory budgeting, as well as articles about the organizations that sponsor, implement, and study participatory governance.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Knowledge base including hundreds of articles on engagement case studies and methods. Could be useful to find articles on specific methods (e.g. World Cafe, Scenario Workshop etc.)

3

National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation Resource Centre

Source: National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation | Type: Internet resource centre | Link: Link

Description:
Online resource centre containing numerous articles and resources on community engagement in the US context.

Utility for rural-remote and Indigenous councils:
Useful source of information on community engagement practices.