Applying Methods - Hosted by Neill

Either "Fundamentals of Public Participation and Engagement (Level 1 practitioners)" or "IAP2 Way in Challenging Contexts (Level 2 practitioners)" is a prerequisite for this course. Learn more

Applying Methods is a Level 2 course that focuses on exploring a variety of methods used in implementing public participation and engagement and considers how to design and integrate those methods into the public participation and engagement practice process. Participants will learn to select, assess and create effective elements of methods to work meaningfully with participants.

Register Now!

Course Objectives: 

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify a range of methods that can be used for various engagement purposes and processes, and strategies to select the most appropriate method/s for an engagement project/process
• Research, design and test a face to face and/or online method using a range of tools and resources
• Apply the four steps of designing a method to incorporate the eight key components of method design
• Develop rational and experiential aims
• Design an appropriate format
• Design questions and process
• Develop appropriate communications
• Combine methods to achieve engagement goals and objectives and test for appropriate sequencing
• Incorporate inclusivity and diversity principles
• Identify data management needs, evaluation points and measures
• Identify resources required
• Explore a variety of both face to face and online methods/techniques that include a nested structure of different methods (e.g. deliberative processes, Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space Technology)
• Analyze the specific engagement requirements for online and digital methods, identify and select appropriate platforms and tools to meet needs, and strategies to sequence these methods for delivery
• Identify principles for monitoring online activity
• Test the design by running elements of the method and submitting for peer review using a checklist
• Apply methods to achieve engagement goals and objectives including using effective communication skills, and test for appropriate sequencing
• Design key messages and know how to use communication tools that build trust and integrity, and meet the needs of diverse audiences

Target Audience: 

• Practitioners with some public participation and engagement practice experience who are looking to cement their knowledge and skills

Course Delivery:

This course is delivered online. This is an IAP2 Canada core training course delivered externally by IAP2 licensed trainers.

Prerequisite:

Learn more

Cost:

$750.00 + applicable tax

Our Licensed Trainers:

Kirsty Neill has served the public sector for 16 years, both as staff for a municipal government and as a consultant providing public engagement services to a range of rural, large urban and small urban communities. She is experienced in strategic communications, stakeholder relations, issues management, and project management.

Kirsty believes that the experience participants have of your process and events, is the experience they have of your project. Understanding this and applying it to developing engagement opportunities is critical to meaningful engagement. She designs and implements engagement strategies to support key project outcomes and to build strong, trusting relationships between organizations, project teams and communities. Kirsty has facilitated productive dialogue between project teams and communities across a wide variety of public service areas, including community planning, transportation and water infrastructure, waste management, recreation, open-space, and municipal policy and financing.