Start with the people who will live with the result. Who has had a say, and who hasn't had a fair chance to join in? An open invitation can still miss people because of its timing, location, language or wording. Explain what their answers can change and offer a way to respond that works for them. Separate what people said from your interpretation. Bring gaps and unanswered questions back to the group before treating a few replies as everyone's view.
Talk it through
- Who will be affected by this decision but has not yet been heard?
- What might make the planned conversation difficult for someone to attend or use?
- How will you explain what participants' responses can influence?
Try this next
- List who's affected and whose views you haven't heard yet.
- Check the invitation's wording, timing and participation options with the community partner.
- Summarize what people said, note who you still haven't heard from and agree what to do next.