Published a newsletter to inform the public of the forum's activities and to solicit public participation. Effectively developed and demonstrated their ability to build consensus on complex public policy issues. Top of page Major Lessons Participants feel a sense of ownership in the forum because they designed it and their work is motivated by local needs and interests. Participants are selected by the people they represent, and the role of government agencies is as participants rather than as conveners or advisors. When agencies cooperate as partners in local decision making, the decisions tend to be more creative, broadly supported, and effective.
Local people can effectively represent a diversity of interests, including national concerns.
The forum gives participants the opportunity to share what they know, learn from each other, and complement one another's knowledge and learning styles. By including all interests, forum participants enhance their potential for making more informed, enlightened, and lasting decisions. The forum has worked steadily on many different problems, but significant, controversial issues remain. Because it is ongoing, the process demands a significant commitment of volunteer time from the participants. The organizational resources needed for process coordination also are substantial.