On Friday May 1, 2009, I offered a workshop in Calgary as part of the Alberta Association of the Canadian Institute of Planners’ AGM. The subject was public engagement. Below are the participants words in answer to the following question: What is the value of today’s conversation. Enjoy.
New faces and players
This is my passion
Developer
Municipal planner
New tools
I see in new ways
Ditto ditto
I am on the learning cliff
In a new world
My gut applies
An open house is one component
Other things to integrate
Looking for the silent majority
Looking for ways in
Different backgrounds
Similar issues
Under lying threads
Risk management
Practical strategies
Solve problems
Constant learning
Student of life
I’m glad I’m not sitting over there
My intuition is correct
I learn by doing
I appreciate
An evolution is going on
Engaging more
Perhaps better decisions
Develop and show respect
Develop trust
Reinforced for success
Values and strategies
I think about why
Engagement differs
From person to person
The constant:
Open, honest communication
With room for a voice
Engagement is the new norm
Bricks and the mortar
Passion to collaborate
Processes are valuable
I share experience
With many backgrounds
New ideas
I have to check my assumptions
How do we know where they’re at?
Not what they say, what they do
Always a student
Gaining perspective
What works with one
Does not with another
More learning
Understand audience
Appropriate approach
Experimenting
Transitioning
Thinking about where I am
Where are the people coming from?
The way you read this at the Session – still brings chills. Kim, Lynn and I still can’t get over this poem. Well done!
Thanks, Ken. It was fun to do.