H&S Implementation Guide: Encouraging Inclusive, Local Government

Resource Description

The most effective local governments collaborate with citizens and stakeholders to transparently plan the future of their community. This citizen-driven approach is often more effective than traditional closed-door methods that shut community members out of the decision making process. T

o build a strong relationship between local government and community members, this guide explains how open communication and democratic inclusion allows all citizens to participate in planning their future. This guide describes various methods to increase transparency and participation including online forums, workshops, committees and task forces, community summits, and public dialogue projects. With specific examples and case studies, communities can learn how to use the myriad tools available for increasing communication and engagement, and see how other communities have built a cooperative relationship between local government and community members. 

This is one in a series of Heart & Soul Community Planning Implementation Guides, which outline the steps to implementing numerous community goals and provide a resource for towns to actively plan their futures. The Orton Family Foundation created these Guides to accompany the Heart & Soul Community Planning Handbook, helping communities to achieve an inclusive, enduring, long-term plan following the Foundation’s Heart & Soul principles of values-based, citizen-driven community planning.