Environmental Assessment
ES/RP 444/544

Assignment #1, Public Meeting Review

Purpose: to gain familiarity in the public process involved in seeking public opinion and promoting conflict resolution. To apply integral ecology to the human dynamics associated with the implementation of law & policy.

Assignment:

1. Identify and attend a public meeting where policy-directed public input is being sought through a governmental or non-governmental organization. We will discuss and identify appropriate choices in class.
    
2. During the meeting take notes on what is said by all parties concerned, pay particular attention to the following:
   • The stated goals of the meeting and how they were achieved (or not);
   • Who was facilitating the process;
   • What information was presented:
   • How input was sought (verbal, written, videotaped, etc.);
   • The dynamics of the meeting.
      
3. Write a 3-4 page summary of your analysis with the following sections:
   • Overview: what was the meeting about and what were the goals?
   • Stakeholders: what stakeholders were present and how were they represented?
   • Process: how was the meeting run and what was presented? Was there active listening?
   • AQAL analysis: what quadrants were represented in by each stakeholder (interiors, exteriors, UL vs. LR) ? what levels (blue vs. green)? Identify the dimensions of the conflict.
   • Critique: Were the goals met? Was the discussion focused at the same objective/subjective level? How could the meeting be improved?

Due date: Wednesday, Feb 18,  in class