Community Outreach and Public Participation

[Abena Ajanaku <abena_ajanaku@mail.dnr.state.ga.us>]

When an associate accepts a position with the responsibility of holding public meetings and public hearings they should receive extensive training in public speaking, some training in media relations, an introduction to understanding community involvement, sensitivity training and training to improve their communication and listening skills. Those associates need to know that there are times you need to go beyond what the regulations require you to do to ensure that the affected community / stakeholders are informed and trully feel that they are a part of the process that directly affects their lives. It would be great if somehow this could be included in the Public Involvement Policy.