EngagingCommunities – Details, episodes & analysis

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 polarized conversations with respect, and rolling out a controversial traffic calming pilot in Grand Junction’s award-winning downtown. Abe brings honesty, humility, and humor to a conversation that reminds us what true public service looks like, and why local government can be both frustrating and inspiring.

Welcome to the very first in-person episode of EngagingCommunities (formerly known as EngagingCities Fireside Chats) the official podcast of the APA Community Engagement Interest Group.

Join host Kelly Hickler as she chats with Nora Bland and Laura Doherty from Cushing Terrell, a multidisciplinary design firm based in Denver. Together, they explore what community driven design really looks like in practice, from creative outreach methods to project wins (and missteps) that shaped better outcomes.

Don’t forget to join the Interest Group at https://apacommunityengagement.org It’s free and open to all!

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, Arizona, which aims to transform traditional public meeting formats to foster more inclusive and productive dialogues. Nick emphasizes the importance of measuring public attitudes through tools like engagement scorecards and civic infrastructure scans, and the potential of using AI to enhance these processes. He also touches on emerging trends such as charter revisions, participatory budgeting, and community land trusts as ways to democratize economic spaces and improve quality of life. The episode highlights the importance of nuanced communication and active community involvement for successful civic innovations, offering practical advice for local governments and consultants. Nick's perspectives provide valuable guidance for how to adapt and innovate civic processes to meet contemporary challenges and improve democratic engagement at the local level.

Contact 

https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/team/nick-vlahos/ 

Resources

https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/center-for-democracy-innovation

https://bloombergcities.jhu.edu/news/pilot-project-shaking-things-public-meetings

https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/center-for-democracy-innovation/democracy-innovations-for-better-public-meetings 

https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/democracy-innovations-better-public-meetings-project

https://www.mpsaz.org/article/1327622

Dr. Larry Schooler started his career working for NPR before transitioning into city government. He has over 15 years of experience in facilitation, mediation, and public engagement, and is currently a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. We delve into his work facilitating community engagement for memorial projects, including Virginia Beach and Pulse Nightclub. Larry emphasizes the crucial role of integrating family and survivor feedback, leveraging past experiences to shape the approach, and the importance of consensus-based decision-making. We also explore broader lessons for historic preservation and public projects, highlighting the value of digital engagement in amplifying diverse voices and expanding public participation.

Contact 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryschooler 

UT Austin: https://moody.utexas.edu/faculty/larry-schooler 

Resources

Pulse Orlando Memorial: https://www.pulseorlando.org/Memorial

Virginia Beach Memorial: https://loveforvb.com

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” – complex issues with no clear solutions – by changing public discourse through improved communication, community problem solving, and collaborative decision-making. Additionally, he introduces ongoing projects like the Deliberative Journalism Project and the Above the Noise initiative, which aim to foster quality local journalism and community engagement. He concludes by offering resources and guidance for those interested in adopting these deliberative practices.

Contact
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcarcasson

Resources
CSU Center for Public Deliberation: https://cpd.colostate.edu
Resources: https://cpd.colostate.edu/what-is-deliberation/resources
Deliberative Journalism Project: https://cpd.colostate.edu/djp
Above the Noise: https://www.rmpbs.org/above-the-noise
National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation: https://www.ncdd.org
National Civic League: https://www.nationalcivicleague.org 

Mark Sherman is the President of Community Heart & Soul, a nonprofit organization based in Vermont dedicated to community development in small towns. Mark shares his personal journey from Vermont to Seattle and back, and how he became involved with Community Heart & Soul, founded by Lyman Orton of the Vermont Country Store. The organization focuses on a resident-driven process to identify what residents love about their town, their future goals, and how to achieve them. The program follows three principles—engage everyone, focus on what matters most, and play the long game—and is structured into four phases: Imagine, Connect, Plan, and Act. Mark describes the program's impacts, including increased civic engagement and economic revitalization, citing examples from Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and Biddeford, Maine. He also discusses the costs involved and how communities can apply for a seed grant and participate in the program. The episode concludes with advice for larger communities and the importance of engaging all community members in the process.

Learn more at:

https://www.communityheartandsoul.org 

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 the positive impact on participant's civic knowledge and engagement. The guests also touch on challenges faced, digital literacy needs, and future plans for expanding civic education resources in the city.

More Information

City of San Jose Civics Master Class: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/office-of-the-city-manager/office-of-racial-equity/san-jose-civics-masterclass

Or bit.ly/SJCivics

Email the San Jose Office of Racial and Social Equity at SJRacialSocialEquity@sanjose.gov 

Jasmine Hartenstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-hartenstein-6b141296

Jasmine.Hartenstein@sanjoseca.gov 

Betty Nguyen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyen-betty

Betty.Nguyen@sanjoseca.gov 

Ellina M. Yin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellinay

Only in San Jose podcast: https://www.onlyinsj.org

Amber Gregg is the CEO of Community Catalyst and Vice President of Pier Pride, which is a non-profit organization in San Clemente, CA that works in partnership with the city and community stakeholders to help preserve the San Clemente pier. Amber talks about the challenges and successes of Pier Pride, community engagement strategies, and the importance of building partnerships and trust. She emphasizes how critical partnerships and collaborations have been in advancing Pier Pride's mission. Forming purposeful, meaningful partnerships with stakeholders and maintaining consistent community engagement efforts have been keys to their success. The episode concludes with practical advice for communities looking to preserve local resources.

Links and Contact Information
Amber Gregg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-gregg
Community Catalyst: https://www.community-catalyst.com
San Clemente Pier Pride: https://www.pierpride.org

Chad and JT at San Clemente City Council
Paul Walker Statue Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4QFmBlpnNw
Paul Walker Statue Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsLEzcVT8cU

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 challenges faced, such as low survey responses, and reflect on the positive feedback from businesses. We explore the long-term benefits of building meaningful connections within the business community and how these relationships can be leveraged for broader economic initiatives.

Links and Contact Information
Elevate Commerce: https://elevate.c3gov.com 
Qwally: https://qwal.ly
Stew Meek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-meek-8243232a

Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=268C3N2dDYk
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4KcH1ZRV2W1q7Flq0QqC76?si=b1201af35229437c

Corrin Wendell is the Founder and Executive Director of YEP! (Youth Engagement Planning). YEP! ​is a non-profit organization focused on educating young people in grades K-12 about urban planning and civic engagement. They create opportunities for youth to meaningfully advocate for change in their own communities and built environments. Corrin discusses the importance of involving young voices in community decisions and creative ways for planners to include youth perspectives in urban planning projects.

Links and Contact Information
https://youthengagementplanning.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrinwendell

Ava Tanner the City Planner:
https://www.amazon.com/Tanner-City-Planner-Corrin-Wendell/dp/B0D19VXB9F