Glossary of terms

Term  Definition  Source  Advocacy  The act or process of supporting a cause or proposal, often involving actions that lead to a selected issue being addressed.  Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas. (2023). Section 1: Getting an advocacy campaign off the ground. Community Toolbox: Principles of Advocacy. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/advocacy-principles/overview/main   Belonging  Having a […]

References

The Engagement Institute. (2016). DNA of Engagement. The Conference Board. https://www.conference-board.org/topics/dna-of-engagement/dna-engagement-how-organizations-create-sustain-highly-engaging-cultures   Hacker, K., Tendulkar, S. A., Rideout, C., Bhuiya, N., Trinh-Shevrin, C., Savage, C. P., Grullon, M., Strelnick, H., Leung, C., & DiGirolamo, A. (2012). Community capacity building and sustainability: Outcomes of community-based participatory research. Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 6(3), […]

Feedback and contact information

As we continue to navigate the complexities of community engagement, equitable practices, and inclusive approaches, HRiA remains committed to continuous learning and improvement. This playbook represents a step in our collective journey toward creating the equitable futures we wish to see. It is intended to be dynamic, serving as a living document that evolves with […]

Looking to the future of equitable community engagement

The examples and lessons of the POWER playbook primarily focus on processes and experiences related to the allocation of ARPA funds, an area where HRiA has been deeply involved, thanks to generous support from the Barr Foundation.  Although primarily rooted in Massachusetts and connected to ARPA funding, the insights and strategies collected from these examples […]

3B. Advancing sustainable practices in budgeting and procurement

“Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists; it’s making a new space, a better space, for everyone.” – George Dei, Scholar of Anti-Racism Education Description  This POWER Play focuses on embedding sustainable and equitable practices in budgeting and procurement. It underscores the importance of transparent and fair resource allocation, along with procurement processes […]

3A. Sustaining engagement through capacity building and infrastructure

“Don’t tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.”    – President Joe Biden Description  Emphasizing sustainable engagement, this POWER Play advocates for strategic investment in community infrastructure and capacity. It aims to create enduring platforms for community dialogue and decision-making in the long run. Why it matters:  […]

2B. Cultivating deep engagement in community processes

“There is a conversation in the room that only people at this moment can have. Find it.”    – Emergent Strategy, adrienne marie brown Description  This POWER Play focuses on creating the necessary structures and practices that make engagement accessible and meaningful at every step. Why it matters:  Deep engagement is key to sustainable and effective […]

2A. Fostering community-driven decision-making

“Policy change can be big or small; it just has to be right.”    Julián Castro, Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Mayor of San Antonio  Description  This POWER Play emphasizes the integral role of community voices in shaping policies that affect their lives. It advocates for a shift from top-down decision-making to […]

1B. Enhancing transparency around decision-making and strengthening community trust

“You may not agree with where we end up in terms of how we spent the money, but you’re going to know how we got there.” Miriam Aschkenasy, Select board member and ARPA Co-Chair, Town of Brookline Description  This POWER Play focuses on the critical role of transparency in decision-making processes and its impact on […]

1A. Disrupting existing community engagement norms in government practice

“…Laws are merely expressions of a society’s dominant beliefs. It’s the beliefs that must change in order for outcomes to change.”    Dr. Heather McGee Description  This POWER Play emphasizes the need to challenge and critically examine entrenched norms, policies, and practices that inform how governments equitably and inclusively engage the community in decision-making processes.  Why […]