EngagingCommunities

In this episode, host Kelly Hickler talks with engagement and facilitation expert Vince Verlaan about what “strong engagement” really means and why it matters. Drawing on 25 years of experience across city planning, sustainability, and organizational development, Vince shares insights on moving beyond check-the-box consultation, preparing organizations internally before engaging the public, and designing engagement processes that are genuinely relational. The conversation explores the IAP2 sp...

On this episode of EngagingCommunities, join host Kelly Hickler as she chats with Abe Herman, the outgoing mayor of Grand Junction, Colorado — and possibly the only rock climbing mayor you’ll meet. Abe shares how he went from outdoor educator and small business owner to elected office, and how he’s navigated community engagement as a policymaker without a traditional planning background. We dive into the challenges of balancing vocal public feedback with broad community needs, navigating pol...

Join Kelly on scene at the American Planning Association National Conference in Denver for a fun pop-up podcast.

Fatima Elkott is the co-founder of Conscious Community Connectors. She emphasizes the importance of grassroots community engagement and the power of creativity in urban planning projects. From her early experiences in Hillsborough County to founding her own consultancy, Fatima highlights the necessity of building genuine connections and compensating residents for their contributions. We uncover how collaborative efforts, like the innovative Tampa Connect Fashion Week, can make city planning e...

Nader Afzalan is a city planner, educator, and researcher at UC Berkeley who runs his own firm called The Triangle. He shares insights on his background and work in urban planning, historic preservation in Iran, and policy focus in California. He details his involvement in designing public engagement processes to reduce emissions and air pollution in disadvantaged communities for the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Nader emphasizes the importance of genuine community engagement, trust-...

Deb Brown is a self-proclaimed “small town enthusiast” and co-founder of Save Your Town. Learn about Deb's journey from a Chamber of Commerce and tourism background to a passionate advocate for small town revitalization. Discover the “Idea Friendly Method”, developed with her associate Becky McCray, which encourages residents to take practical steps and build connections to accomplish their big ideas. Hear success stories from small towns across the U.S., insights on overcoming obstacles, eng...

Nick Vlahos Ph.D. is the Deputy Director of the Center for Democracy Innovation at the National Civic League. Nick discusses his experiences and insights into public decision-making and civic engagement. The conversation covers the role of the National Civic League, the challenges of polarized public meetings, and the practical application of innovative approaches to civic participation. Key projects highlighted include the 'Better Public Meetings' initiative in Boulder, Colorado, and Mesa, A...

Dr. Martín Carcasson is a Communication Studies professor at Colorado State University (CSU) and the Founder and Director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation (CPD). Dr. Carcasson discusses the role of CPD as an impartial resource dedicated to enhancing local democracy in northern Colorado, training students as facilitators to help discuss complex issues with local governments, school boards, and community organizations. Dr. Carcasson shares insights on tackling “wicked problems” – compl...

Jasmine Hartenstein, Betty Nguyen, and Ellina Yin discuss the creation of San Jose’s Civics Masterclass. Discover how this free, online, self-paced course equips residents with essential knowledge on local government, parliamentary procedures, and the California Brown Act, and more. Available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, the course aims to empower diverse community members to participate in local governance. They highlight the course's development, the community feedback received, and...

Stew Meek is the Local Business Manager for the City of Commerce City in Colorado. Our conversation centers around 'Elevate Commerce,' a business retention and expansion program aimed at fostering relationships with local businesses to help the local economy thrive. Stew explains the foundational strategies behind the program, the importance of proactive and relationship-based community engagement, and the innovative aspects of creating a smart, interactive website. We also touch on the chall...

Carlo Tomaino, the City Manager of Signal Hill, California, discusses the successful initiative to achieve zero functional homelessness in the city by coordinating internal efforts and partnering with service providers. Though we spoke with Carlo prior to the June 28, 2024 Supreme Court ruling on City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, our conversation highlights how the City of Signal Hill’s compassionate approach is relevant regardless of any court ruling. We also discuss the previous court...