Attending? Check out the Top Ten List of Things You Should Know about the event (map, parking, why you SHOULD bring your cell phone to this event, etc.). Please note that registration opens at 8:15 and we will begin at 9am with a bit of an unusual start, so you'll want to be in your seats by 9:00.  See you Friday!

From Chaos to Collaboration:

Raising the Bar in Public Engagement

November 5, 2010 (9am to 5pm) at St. Edward's University

Join public sector representatives, interested citizens, and public engagement practitioners in this one-day workshop to explore practical strategies for successful public engagement.

• Attendees will gain greater knowledge of the principles and strategies that foster respect, trust, and the ability to effectively grapple with tough community choices.
• Interactive sessions will integrate real-world examples from our region and explore lessons learned.
• Sharing of resources and tools will give attendees new approaches they can apply immediately.

Topics will include:

• Quality Public Engagement: What does it really take, from design to implementation?
• Online Tools:  What new tools are available and how do they support effective engagement?
• Collaborations that Work:  How can we strengthen connections between public administrators, engagement practitioners and the public?

Registration is $85 ($70 for dues-paying NCDD members and $42 for students).  Registration fee includes lunch, resource lists on the three topics listed above, and attendee list.

Event Host

The local hosts for this National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) regional event are St. Edward's University New College (www.stedwards.edu/newc/) and the Central Texas NCDD Network. St. Edward's University is a private, liberal arts university founded by the Brothers of Holy Cross. Its mission is focused on encouraging individuals to confront the critical issues of society and to seek justice and peace. New College is the part of the university that educates working adults.

Event Sponsors

• City of Austin - www.ci.austin.tx.us
• Capital Metro - www.capmetro.org
• Bluebonnet Hills Christian Church - www.bluebonnethillscc.org
• E3 Alliance - www.e3alliance.com
• Lower Colorado River Authority - www.lcra.org
• AmericaSpeaks - www.americaspeaks.org
• Citizens in Charge Foundation - www.citizensinchargefoundation.org
• National Conference of State Legislatures - www.ncsl.org
• Public Conversations Project - www.publicconversations.org
• Everyday Democracy - www.everyday-democracy.org
• The University of Mass. Boston's Office of Public Collaboration - www.umb.edu/modr/
• Public Agenda - www.publicagenda.org
• Democrasoft - www.democrasoft.com
• Active Voice - www.activevoice.net
• PMLINK 360 - www.pmlink360.com
• U.S. Trainers' Consortium (USTC) - www.ncdd.org/rc/item/4459

and sponsoring at the Partner level...

• The Civic Engagement Initiative of the UT Center for Sustainable Development - http://soa.utexas.edu/crp/civic-engagement
• Conflict Resolution Center at the University of Texas in Austin - http://crc.communication.utexas.edu/
• Greenlights - www.greenlights.org
• Liveable City - www.liveablecity.org
• American Planning Association, Central Texas - www.txplanning.org
• Omega Point International, Inc. - www.omegapoint.net
• Community Action Network - www.caction.org
• United Way Capital Area - www.liveunitedcentraltexas.org
• Juli Fellows, Ph.D. - www.docfellows.com
• Linda Anderson Welsh, Ph.D. - www.austincc.edu/lwelsh/

Learn more about the event and our sponsors on the NCDD website at http://ncdd.org/events/austin.php. And connect with other attendees here on Facebook!

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Cancellation policy:  Registration cancellations must be received by NCDD via email at least two weeks before the event. Cancellations made two weeks (or more) before the event will result in a full refund less a $20 processing fee per attendee. Cancellations made within two weeks of the event will not be refunded, though substitutions can be made any time. Notify NCDD Office Manager Joy Garman at joy@thataway.org of cancellations or name changes.  Refunds will be processed in late November or early December, after all 5 regional events have been held.