SERVICES

#1 – The Center will provide civic engagement consulting services to public and private sector organizations and citizen groups within Hampton Roads.

Civic engagement practice is the design and implementation of a set of tools, techniques and practices that enable inclusion of citizens as deliberative participants in the design and implementation of public policy. Civic engagement differs from traditional public agency public participation practices – hearings and meetings. Beyond formal consultation on policy choices it involves active strategies facilitating the development of common ground among often competing interests held by citizens and interest groups.

Civic engagement practice includes both a design component and the direct provision of process services using both well-established and new tools and techniques. Examples of processes include study circles, roundtables, collaborative policymaking, consensus building, new forms of town meetings, citizen juries and assemblies, issue forums, focus groups, participatory budgeting, deliberative polling, choice work dialogues, cooperative management bodies, design charrettes, and other partnership arrangements.

The Center will utilize original survey research, structured data analysis, interactive mapping, on-line network creation, and web based technologies in its work. Additionally, as conflict over competing values and interests is part of any process dealing with public decisions, the Center will utilize existing community resources in conflict management, mediation and dispute resolution to assist its work.

The Center’s activities may be categorized as services for contract clients and as non-contracted activities supported by general-purpose grants/endowment (see #2 below for a description of non contracted services). As the Center’s mission is to enhance development of deliberative democracy in Hampton Roads, the Center’s direct clients will be established public and private sector organizations who directly form and implement public policy. Thus local, state and federal agencies in the region, and for profit and nonprofit organizations will contract with the Center to undertake civic engagement programs relevant to their operations.

Finally, the Center will undertake applied research in the use of new technologies and practices in civic engagement, and will serve as a regional and national clearinghouse for its clients’ own research in developing their capabilities in civic engagement.

#2 – The Center will plan and convene public deliberation on issues of critical importance to the region and its communities.

The Center will also work with regional and community leaders to identify important issues that could benefit receiving effective public involvement. It will maintain a neutral position with regard to all issues.

For instance, the ODU Annual State of Region Report provides data and analyses for critical subjects (affordable housing, sand replenishment, economic impact of the port). The Planning Council publishes its annual Social Indicators Report. The material is rich and ripe for regional dialogue. It would be a logical method to increase the public’s awareness of their community and generated discussions that lead to the formulation of action plans.

There are a variety of techniques available to public agencies to improve their reputation, to develop constituencies of support, and to increase trust through positive and productive partnerships with citizens

The Fellowship Program will provide an opportunity for independent scholars doing research and writing on regional issues. Suitable material can be published and distributed. The objective will be to generate public discussion and awareness on regional issues.

Center services:

  • Sponsorship of well-developed regional Town Hall meetings, online chats, study groups, community roundtables, online surveys and discussions, and other creative means of community engagement
  • Visiting Fellowship program
  • Systematic follow up of published “white papers” by agencies at ODU, CNU, Hampton University, William and Mary, Norfolk State, Virginia Wesleyan College or non-profit community agencies such as the Planning Council specifically designed to generate community discussion
  • Library with documents related to regional “hot topics”
  • Effective public distribution of information on critical topics

#3 – The Center will identify, evaluate, collect and make accessible data and research about the current state of civic engagement in Hampton Roads, the process of public involvement, and about specific topics of interest to the region.

Citizen engagement is evolving worldwide through emerging technologies and the development of new deliberation skills. The Center will be a core center for residents in Hampton Roads to conveniently connect with each other and with other regional, national and global agencies and associations that have demonstrated expertise in public involvement. America Speaks (http://www.americapspeaks.org) and the International Association for Public Participation (http://www.Iap2.org) are two examples of organizations with active programs. The Center will have in-depth and comprehensive information thereby reducing the need to have multiple organizations collecting, organizing and maintaining data and research in our region.

At present we know little about how engaged our citizens are, how engaged citizens want to be, or what ways would best encourage engagement in our region. Many of the countries finest universities have robust centers working on the assessment and development of civic capital. Our Center would work with regional research institutions to provide this research for our region.

Center services:

  • Stakeholder databases
  • Library of research on civic engagement processes
  • Co-sponsorship of a regional “Civic Health of Hampton Roads” survey.

#4 – The Center will advise, assist and encourage organizations in the use of effective, cutting edge public involvement methods suitable to their needs.

The Center will help clients to develop a capacity for local advisement on strategies and methods of public involvement for public or private entities that may not have this expertise within their organization. It will assist in the design and/or management of methods tailored for and appropriate to the scale of public involvement required for the consideration of selected policies or projects that impact the public. For example, HRCCE could help address current public information needs and immediate legislative decisions associated with the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority (HRTA) and the Southeastern Public Service Authority’s (SPSA) pursuit of a long-range strategic plan.

Center services:

  • Public involvement design, consultation and process management
  • Network of topic and process experts

#5 – The Center will conduct classes in public involvement, civic learning and citizenship skills throughout the region.

No one owns “public involvement” or civic engagement. The region profits when more and more individuals, civic organizations, cognizant interest groups governments and businesses understand how to engage citizens in their decision-making. Regular and ongoing involvement among citizens, stakeholders and community leaders can transform underutilized resources into problem-solvers and increase the potential for forward progress on contentious and troublesome issues.

Center Services:

  • Short courses, materials, additional training on emerging methods from recognized “pioneers” or experts
  • Develop and maintain a registry of local and national organizations or individuals who are committed to or expert in civic learning