Such groups allow focused discussion with a defined group of citizens, organizations, or affected parties who reflect the diversity of interests on an issue. The purpose of the group may be to achieve consensus, which usually is defined as the agreement of every member, on a set of recommendations or it may be to provide the array of perspectives held by members. The advisory committee is especially valuable when involving the public in an extended decision-making process on complex issues. Moreover, despite the seeming growth in citizen demand to be heard, public meetings often are attended by few citizens who are rarely representative of the interests in a community. The advisory committee helps compensate for this tendency.
Professional facilitators are another frequently-used tool in public involvement.
Defined simply, facilitation is the process of making it easier for groups to jointly accomplish a task or come to a decision. Facilitation can benefit public meetings as well as advisory committees. Facilitators keep the discussion focused, watch the time, and seek maximum, yet balanced, participation from everyone at the meeting. In addition to this expertise, the professional facilitator presents a neutrality that it is important in managing decision-making about contentious issues. Other tools, such as citizen advisory committees and professional facilitation services, are effective in promoting the two-way communication needed for public involvement.