Public Engagement:  Community Conversation Guidelines

The purpose of the KLFA participation in advancing community conversations relating to schools, school stakeholders and education processes is to build the capacity within an organization, school or school district for that entity to utilize the ‘conversation process’ on a regular basis.

In order to meet that purpose and to efficiently utilize the resources of participating KLFA member organizations, the expectations and obligations of the KLFA and the entity requesting assistance must be identified. 

The KLFA is NOT prepared to act as the ‘experts’ or ‘consultants’ in the process of conducting community conversations.  They will act as advisors and mentors in order to assist in building the capacity of local groups to continue the use of community conversations for the improvement of public schools in Kansas.

Services that can be provided by the KLFA include the following elements:

• Receive requests for assistance or expressions of interest

• Provide advisors and/or trainers for initial discussions and/or community conversations

• Assist in planning for the initial conversation(s)

• Provide guidance for establishing a local planning committee

• Act as a moderator for an initial community conversation

• Provide guidance in selection of local moderators for future community conversations

• Assist in training local moderators

• Provide oversight and feedback for the first locally moderated community conversation(s)

• Participate in a follow-up debriefing to assess the experience, the local’s ‘learnings’ and determine the possible next step(s)

• Provide information about Public Agenda conversation materials, including:

• Organizer’s Guide

• Moderator’s Guide

• Participant’s Discussion Guide

• Discussion Starter Video Tape Series

• Participant’s Survey Instrument

Obligations of the entity requesting assistance include:

 Planning

• Request assistance or indicate interest through a KLFA member organization

• Identify one or more local community conversation organizers

• Identify one or more local moderators/recorders

• Arrange training for moderators/recorders (1 full day of training)

• Consult with the KLFA advisor(s) regarding identified topic(s) of community conversation

• Consult with the KLFA advisor(s) regarding invited participant group(s)

• Issue invitations and track reservations

• Provide the KLFA a summary memorandum that includes the results of the participants’ surveys from the initial meetings, typed notes from ‘conversation groups’ and local observations on the community conversations that took place in the start-up phase and recommendations for future meetings

• Provide participants feedback regarding issues discussed during community conversation(s)

Financial

• Mileage, meals and any necessary housing for KLFA advisors will be reimbursed

• The Public Agenda’s Organizing Guide and discussion starter video, if desired, will be purchased directly from Public Agenda

• Expenses to produce sufficient participant materials will either be reimbursed or the materials will be locally produced

• Meeting site expenses, including participant-provided meals/snacks

• Equipment, e.g., overhead projectors, computer projectors, easels, newsprint and markers will be provided

• The KLFA operates without a budget and without funding or facilities other than those provided by member organizations on a project-by-project basis.  The KLFA recognizes the financial constraints of schools and school districts and will therefore attempt to minimize the costs borne by requesting entities by making the best use of travel and travel-related expenses.