Ensuring everyone is clear on their own roles and the roles of others will bring clarity to the engagement process.
Consider
- Are individual participants representing themselves? Or a group of people?
- What role does each person play in bringing issues to the constituents they represent? What role do they play in bringing issues to appropriate leaders?
- What are expectations of their participation? Is it one time or it ongoing?
- Are individuals expected to champion the ultimate decision, once made?
- What is expected of each person or group in terms of their contribution?
- How are participants expected to “show up” to the engagement? Which skills are they expected to have/demonstrate?
Quick Tips
Roles and responsibilities may be pre-determined through an external process (e.g., policy) or may need to be co-developed by participants. Roles should be reviewed regularly to continue to align with the process.