Breaking Barriers: Transforming Community Engagement for Meaningful Collective Impact
Community Engagement Activity Participant Guide
Activity Purpose
Explore community engagement challenges and solutions using the hypothetical Oakridge Commons Housing Development Project.
Your Role
You'll be assigned and/or choose one of these roles to represent in your group:
City Planner
Vocal Community Member
Disengaged Resident
Underrepresented Community Leader
Optional roles: Council Member, Mayor, Youth Representative, Neighborhood Associations, Housing Advocates, Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Groups, School District, Local Businesses, City Officials, or other stakeholders – everyone is welcome!
This will be the point of view you represent as you consider engagement challenges and successful approaches during the brainstorming exercise.
The Project: Oakridge Commons
Project Summary
What: 250-unit mixed-income housing development (30% affordable units)
Where: 12-acre former industrial site in Millbrook (pop. 75,000)
When: Completion targeted for Fall 2027
Why: Address housing needs and revitalize brownfield site
More: See additional context below.
Activity Structure
Duration: 30 minutes (this exercise should be 45+ minutes)
Part 1: Setup (5 minutes)
Form groups of 4-5+ people
Choose your roles – This will be the point of view you represent/consider during the brainstorming exercise.
Select your engagement method:
Digital: Using EngagementHQ platform
Analog: Using sticky notes and markers
Part 2: Challenge Identification (10 minutes)
Identify and note specific challenges related to engagement in these topic areas from your role POV:
Access & Equity - Example: Language barriers, digital divide
Representation - Example: Underrepresented groups, diverse voices
Apathy - Example: Low community interest
Transparency - Example: Communication gaps
Part 3: Successful Approaches (10 minutes)
Discuss and note successful approaches and solutions for the challenges you identified from your role POV:
Consider practical approaches
Think about available resources
Draw from real-world experience
Focus on actionable solutions
Part 4: Sharing (5 minutes)
Share your group's favorite challenge/solution
Listen to other groups' presentations
Upvote and comment on other group's ideas
Check-back next week for the report
Remember, there are no wrong answers! The goal is to learn from each other and develop effective engagement strategies.
Community Engagement Activity Participant Guide
Activity Purpose
Explore community engagement challenges and solutions using the hypothetical Oakridge Commons Housing Development Project.
Your Role
You'll be assigned and/or choose one of these roles to represent in your group:
City Planner
Vocal Community Member
Disengaged Resident
Underrepresented Community Leader
Optional roles: Council Member, Mayor, Youth Representative, Neighborhood Associations, Housing Advocates, Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Groups, School District, Local Businesses, City Officials, or other stakeholders – everyone is welcome!
This will be the point of view you represent as you consider engagement challenges and successful approaches during the brainstorming exercise.
The Project: Oakridge Commons
Project Summary
What: 250-unit mixed-income housing development (30% affordable units)
Where: 12-acre former industrial site in Millbrook (pop. 75,000)
When: Completion targeted for Fall 2027
Why: Address housing needs and revitalize brownfield site
More: See additional context below.
Activity Structure
Duration: 30 minutes (this exercise should be 45+ minutes)
Part 1: Setup (5 minutes)
Form groups of 4-5+ people
Choose your roles – This will be the point of view you represent/consider during the brainstorming exercise.
Select your engagement method:
Digital: Using EngagementHQ platform
Analog: Using sticky notes and markers
Part 2: Challenge Identification (10 minutes)
Identify and note specific challenges related to engagement in these topic areas from your role POV:
Access & Equity - Example: Language barriers, digital divide
Representation - Example: Underrepresented groups, diverse voices
Apathy - Example: Low community interest
Transparency - Example: Communication gaps
Part 3: Successful Approaches (10 minutes)
Discuss and note successful approaches and solutions for the challenges you identified from your role POV:
Consider practical approaches
Think about available resources
Draw from real-world experience
Focus on actionable solutions
Part 4: Sharing (5 minutes)
Share your group's favorite challenge/solution
Listen to other groups' presentations
Upvote and comment on other group's ideas
Check-back next week for the report
Remember, there are no wrong answers! The goal is to learn from each other and develop effective engagement strategies.
