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School of Public Policy to Host Public Engagement Seminar


Pepperdine University School of Public Policy will host the training seminar “Public Engagement: The Vital Leadership Skill in Difficult Times” at Redwood Shores Branch Library in Redwood City, California, on Tuesday, November 14, from 1 to 5 PM.

As California's cities, counties, and special districts face unprecedented decisions on issues ranging from budgets to land use, a growing number of public leaders are finding new ways of arriving at policy solutions that are more participatory and transparent. At this half-day training session focusing on public engagement for local government, attendees will examine the ways in which public involvement can effectively lead to more creative, sustainable, and equitable solutions.

Ed Everett, city strategist at Nextdoor.com and senior fellow at the School of Public Policy’s Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership, will serve as the seminar’s facilitator.

  • Everett will lead the audience as they explore:
  • The Civic Engagement Spectrum: From Informing to Involving Residents
  • New ways of looking at the roles of residents and government
  • How to know when you are ready to engage the public
  • How “Purpose Determines Process”

Everett served as cochair of Common Sense California's City/Regional Task Force from 2008 to 2010, and now serves on the Davenport Institute Advisory Council. He helped develop and co-facilitate the organization's training programs in public participation. Everett is a nationally known speaker on issues related to public participation and community building. He is the recently retired city manager of Redwood City, where he held the position since 1992. Prior to that, Everett served as city manager of Belmont, assistant county manager for Washoe County, Nevada, and program analyst/fire chief for the City of Palo Alto.

Tickets are $50. For additional information, and to purchase tickets, visit the School of Public Policy page on the Eventbrite website.