RE: Public Engagement Facilitators

[Marilyn Null <marilyn.null@pentagon.af.mil>]

I agree and have always advocated that we need professionals with appropriate communication, faciliation, conflict management and negotiation skills who should be at the forefront of stakeholder involvement efforts.  In fact, I am one of those.  However, true stakeholder involvement requires a team approach, with the "techies" directly involved at all stages.  As a stakeholder involvement professional, I can engage with public stakeholders, build trust, and advocate public input until the cows come home, but if the technical folks are not sitting beside me, they are less likely to understand the significance and potential impacts of community concerns on the project.