Build Stakeholder Accountability and Manage Expectations of Officials and Volunteers

One of the greatest challenges in effectively engaging citizens in the policy process

is maintaining sustainable relationships to encourage an iterative dialogue and demonstrate progress on policy recommendations.

The consultants served a critical role in facilitating a process that ensured that the steering committee members were dedicated to the process and goal of delivering actionable recommendations for the building ordinance. To ensure participation of a core group of citizens, the consultants worked with the town planner to identify key stakeholders in the community and sent personal invitations to join the steering committee.

In addition, the town planner discussed the formation of the steering committee with the local radio station and newspaper. As a result of the outreach efforts, more than 40 citizens participated in the initial meeting, and more than 50 citizens consistently served on the steering committee.

In the preliminary meetings, the consultants guided participants through introductions, a commitment to the "10 Commandments for Dialogue," and a consensus on the guiding principles of the steering committee. These initial forming activities were critical to building trust among the participants and to the process.

Commitment to the process began to take shape as the steering committee voted to meet every two weeks rather than monthly, as initially proposed by the consultants. The second demonstration of collective accountability for the process was reflected with the steering committee electing the consultants to facilitate the meetings and with the agenda allowing participants to focus on the content of the dialogue.

Mandating the consultation of a steering committee to draft the ordinance afforded the consultants and Taos a wealth of expertise and experience in assessing the opportunities and challenges of alternative strategies to achieve sustainable energy and water conservation.

However, this approach required continuous and direct communication among the steering committee, the consultants, and the Town Council. The consultants met individually with each council member and engaged the full Town Council through a series of workshops exploring ordinance alternatives. The elected officials clearly understood the effort and value of the steering committee, as evidenced by frequent public acknowledgements in the local media, town council meetings, and informal forums of the committee's contributions.

Build Stakeholder Accountability and Manage Expectations of Officials and Volunteers

By: endeavor

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