Guides

This is a collection of best practices for equitable community engagement. Each section is organized around a common challenge. To get started, review the introduction in each section to learn how to use the guides together.

Equitable conditions

Learn about mindsets, power, and resources in engagement.

Introduction

Learn about the equitable conditions section.

Mindsets

Learn how thoughts shape actions.

Power

Learn how power influences engagement.

Resources

Learn how to plan funding, staff, and time.

Centering community

Learn about centering the communities you engage.

Introduction

Learn about the centering community section.

Building Trust

Learn how to build trust and collaborate with partners.

Community Context

Learn how to honor a community’s past and present.

Community Leadership

Learn how to support community assets and strengths.

Working together

Learn about working with communities.

Introduction

Learn about the working together section.

Levels of Engagement

Learn how to share decision making power.

Collecting Input

Learn how to collect and use input from communities.

Making Decisions

Learn how to make decisions with communities.

Managing Disagreements

Learn how to manage disagreements with communities.

Engagement plans

Learn about managing community engagements.

Introduction

Learn about the engagement plans section.

Scope of Work

Learn how to develop a shared vision.

Goals

Learn how to set goals.

Work Plans

Learn how to build a plan to accomplish goals.

Accountability

Learn how to practice accountability and reflection.

Evaluation

Learn how to evaluate equity and goals.

Follow Through

Learn how to conclude an engagement.

Radical inclusion

Learn about making engagements more inclusive.

Introduction

Learn about the radical inclusion section.

Essential Accommodations

Learn how to accommodate common access barriers.

Digital Access

Learn how to accommodate digital access.

Disability Access

Learn how to accommodate disability access.

Language Access

Learn how to accommodate language access.

Racial Equity

Learn how to challenge racial inequity.

Reducing Harmful Practices

Learn how to reduce harmful City practices.

Engagement methods

Learn about ways to engage the community.

Introduction

Learn about the engagement methods section.

Community Meetings

Learn how to host meetings with communities.