ballot procedure for approval/disapproval or selection of one of several alternatives.

Citizen Representation on Public Policy-Making Bodies: Refers to the composition of public policy-making boards either partially or wholly of appointed or elected citizen representatives.

Citizen Review Board:

Technique in which decision-making authority is delegated to citizen representatives who are either elected or appointed to sit on a review board with the authority to review alternative plans and decide which plan should be implemented.

Citizen Surveys of Attitudes and Opinions:

Only technique other than talking with every citizen that is statistically representative of all citizens; allows for no interaction between citizens and planners.

Citizen Training:

Technique facilitates participation through providing citizens with information and planning and/or leadership training, e.g., game simulation, lecture, workshops,

etc.

Community Technical Assistance:

A generic term covering several techniques under which interest groups are given professional assistance in developing and articulating alternative plans or objections to agency proposed plans and policies. Some specific techniques are:

Advocacy Planning

Process whereby affected groups employ professional assistance directly with private funds and consequently have a client-professional relationship.

Community Planning Center

Groups independently plan for their community using technical assistance employed by and responsible to a community-based citizens groups.

Direct Funding to Community Groups Similar process to Advocacy Planning, however, funding comes from a government entity.

Plural Planning

Technique whereby each interest group has its own planner (or group of planners) with which to develop a proposed plan based on the group's goals and objectives. Computer-based Techniques:

A generic term describing a variety of, experimental techniques which utilize computer technology to enhance citizen participation.

Coordinator or Coordinator-Catalyst:

Technique vests responsibility for providing a focal point for citizen participation in a project with a single individual. Coordinator remains in contact with all parties and channels feedback into the planning process. Design-In:

Refers to a variety of planning techniques in which citizens work with maps, scale representations, and photographs to provide a better idea of the effect on their community of proposed plans and projects.

Drop-In Centers:

Manned information distribution points where a citizen can stop in to ask questions, review literature, or look at displays concerning a project affecting the area in which the center is located.

Fishbowl Planning:

A planning process in which all parties can express their support or opposition to an alternative before it is adopted, thereby bringing about a restructuring of the plan to the point where it is acceptable to all. Involves use of several participatory techniques-public meetings, public brochures, workshops, and a citizen's committee. Focused Group Interviews:

Guided interview of six to 10 citizens in which individuals are exposed to others' ideas and can react to them; based on the premise that more information is available from a group than from members individually.

Game Simulations:

Primary focus is on experimentation in a risk-free enviroment with various alternatives (policies, programs,

plans) to determine their impacts in a simulated environment where there is no actual capital investment and no real consequences at stake.

Group Dynamics:

A generic term refering to either interpersonal techniques and exercises to facilitate group interaction, or problem-solving techniques designed to highlight substantive issues.

Hotline:

Used to denote any publicized phone answering system connected with the planning process. Hotlines serve

two general purposes: 1) as an avenue for citizens to phone in questions on a particular project or policy and receive either a direct answer or an answer by return call; or 2) as a system whereby the citizen can phone and receive a recorded message.

Interactive Cable TV-based Participation:

An experimental technique utilizing two-way coaxial cable TV to solicit immediate citizen reaction; this technique is only now in the initial stages of experimentation on a community level.

Media-based Issue Balloting:

Technique whereby citizens are informed of the existence and scope of a public problem, alternatives are described, and then citizens are asked to indicate their views and opinions.

Meetings Community-sponsored:

Organized by a citizen group or organization; these meetings focus upon a particular plan or project with the objective to provide a forum for discussion of various interest group perspectives.

Meetings-Neighborhood:

Held for the residents of a specific neighborhood that has been, or will be, affected by a specific plan or project, and usually are held either very early in the planing process or when the plans have been developed. Meetings-Open Informational (also "Public Forum"): Meetings which are held voluntarily by an agency to pre

sent detailed information on a particular plan or project at any time during the process.

Neighborhood Planning Council:

A technique for obtaining participation on issues which affect a specific geographic area; council serves as an advisory body to the public agency in identifying neighborhood problems, formulating goals and priorities, and evaluating and reacting to the agency's proposed plans.

Ombudsman:

An independent, impartial administrative officer who serves as a mediator between citizen and government to seek redress for complaints, to further understanding of each other's position, or to expedite requests.

Open Door Policy:

Technique involves encouragement of citizens to visit a local project office at any time on a "walk in” basis; facilitates direct communication.

Planning Balance Sheet:

Application of an evaluation methodology that provides for the assessment and rating of project alternatives according to the weighted objectives of local interest groups, as determined by the groups themselves. Policy Capturing:

A highly sophisticated, experimental technique involving mathematical models of policy positions of partiesat-interest. Attempts to make explicit the weighting and trading-off patterns of an individual or group.

Policy Delphi:

A technique for developing and expressing the views of a panel of individuals on a particular subject. Initiated with the solicitation of written views on a subject, successive rounds of presented arguments and counterarguments work toward consensus of opinion, or clearly established positions and supporting arguments.

Priority-setting Committees:

Narrow-scope citizen group apppointed to advise a public agency of community priorities in community devel

opment projects.

Public Hearings:

Usually required when some major governmental program is about to be implemented or prior to passage of legislation; characterized by procedural formalities, an official transcript or record of the meeting, and its being open to participation by an individual or representative of a group.

Public Information Program:

A general term covering any of several techniques utilized to provide information to the public on a specific program or proposal, usually over a long period of time.

Random Selected Participation Groups:

Random selection within a statistical cross-section of groups such as typical families or transit-dependent individuals which meet on a regular basis and provide local input to a study or project.

Short Conference:

Technique typically involves intensive meetings organi

zed around a detailed agenda of problems, issues, and alternatives with the objective of obtaining a complete analysis from a balanced group of community representatives.

Task Force:

An ad hoc citizen committee sponsored by an agency in which the parties are involved in a clearly-defined task in the planning process. Typical characteristics are small size (8-20), vigorous interaction between task force and agency, weak accountability to the general public, and specific time for accomplishment of its tasks.

Value Analysis:

Technique which involves various interest groups in the process of subjectively ranking consequences of proposals and alternatives.

Workshops:

Working sessions which provide a structure for parties to discuss throroughly a technical issue or idea and try to reach an understanding concerning its role, nature, and/or importance in the planning process.