collaboration

[bob eisengrein <beisengrein@fiam.net>]

I am a bit late in responding but do agree that an outside facilitator (unbiased) is very important. However, I continue to harp on a basic problem to all of our discussions. Theory is important in collaborating, but how does one get important stockholders like the public to the table? It becomes a "political" problem in most cases! Often the public finds it difficult to be "invited", or does not have the means to become involved--little time for daytime meetings, the financial cost of attending, or even finding interested or qualified citizens. 
Several thoughts on the matter. 
-We have used retired people who often have the qualifications too.
-Small Grants to cover the basic costs of attending-for travel, some time compensation, etc.

Citizens have loads of common sense despite the continued talk of the need for technical knowhow. They can learn as they go, and their questions to explain things very simply can cause those "experts" to stop and think how to say things so they are easily understood.