IAP2 Certificate in Public Participation

We are very excited to be launching the next evolution of training that builds on our foundational best practices. Our flagship Foundations training program has been updated and now consists of three core courses. Visit our training calendar to register for updated course offerings.

As a key leader in the public participation sector IAP2 USA provides skills-based learning to people and organizations on what they need to know and do, so that they can successfully develop, deliver, and lead authentic engagement processes.

IAP2 Certificate Program

IAP2 USA's Certificate in Public Participation (P2) consists of 3 core courses - Fundamentals of Public Participation, Designing Public Participation, and Applying Methods. Based on IAP2's internationally recognized Global Learning Pathway, this professional development certificate program builds on the foundations of public participation training and best practices from around the globe to provide participants with over 30 hours of effective training in public participation and engagement.

#1 Fundamentals of Public Participation

Prerequisite for Designing Public Participation and Applying Methods

The Fundamentals of Public Participation (P2) course is a prerequisite to other courses in the Global Learning Pathway that sets out the underpinning models and frameworks of engagement practice as defined by the IAP2 community.

The focus of this course is on understanding and applying the practices of meaningful and effective P2 and what participants need to know to do this well. The training explores best practices, and how to design and apply this knowledge to your P2.

Course objectives

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

    • Define P2 and related terms and what makes it unique
    • Identify what makes P2 meaningful, and reflect on the benefits, risks and myths related to P2
    • Identify the role that values play in P2 work, and the leadership attributes that will serve them in practice
    • Reflect on and apply ethical leadership actions and abilities to P2 situations
    • Apply the Profiles of P2 model to P2, and explore organization- and community-led engagement and how that impacts the engagement process
    • Reflect on and apply the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and explore the roles and impacts of power and influence
    • Apply the IAP2 Spectrum to P2 situations and practice
    • Explore the Practice Framework as a tool for effective planning and process, and assess the quality of the process

#2 Designing & Leading Public Participation

Designing Public Participation (P2) is a Level 2 course that introduces practitioners to the design and plan phases of the practice framework, providing them with the opportunity to develop P2 plans. This includes scoping, community mapping, determining purpose and objectives and levels of influence, choosing appropriate methods and managing resources, while considering the needs of diverse audiences. The course is suitable for practitioners who are leading the planning and implementation of P2 processes.

Course objectives:

1. For a real-world scenario, design an engagement process and plan that includes:

        • Develop a clear scope of the work, problem or opportunity with identified negotiables and non-negotiables
        • Conduct detailed stakeholder analysis, community mapping and equity analysis
        • Identify appropriate roles and levels of influence for key participants
        • Establish clear engagement purpose and objectives and success criteria/measures to suit scenario
        • Identify relevant profiles of engagement
        • Conduct a detailed risk/opportunities assessment
        • Identify key roles for senior leaders and decision makers

2. Explore principles and approaches for equity, diversity and inclusion, and apply them to stakeholder analysis

3. Embed digital strategies, platforms, tools and methods as part of the plan and process

4. Develop an evaluation framework to suit the scenario

5. Identify key roles and resources needed to implement the P2/engagement plan

6. Develop and apply a suitable presentation to senior leaders that will secure commitment and resources for the P2/engagement plan

7. Identify the many different contexts of engagement, including the elements present in more complex engagement scenarios

#3 Applying Methods for Public Participation 

Designing Public Participation is a prerequisite for this course

Applying Methods is a Level 2 course that introduces practitioners to a large number of P2 methods.

This includes learning how to design specific methods, developing good question design, and having an opportunity to practice running some methods.

The course is suitable for practitioners who are part of a team implementing a P2 process and are looking for the practical skills to be effective in designing and applying methods.

Course objectives:

1. Identify a range of methods that can be used for various engagement purposes and processes, and strategies to select the most appropriate method/s for an engagement project/process.

2. Research, design and test a F2F and/or online method using a range of tools and resources.

3. Apply the four steps of designing a method incorporating the eight key components of

method design.

4. Develop rational and experiential aims.

5. Design an appropriate format.

6. Design questions and process.

7. Develop appropriate communications.

8. Combine methods to achieve engagement goals and objectives and test for appropriate sequencing.

9. Incorporate inclusion and diversity principles

10. Identify data management needs, evaluation points and measures.

11. Identify resources required.

12. Explore a variety of both F2F and online methods/ techniques that are more structured and have nested methods within them (e.g., Deliberative

Processes, Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space Technology).

13. Analyze the specific requirements for online and digital methods, identify and select appropriate platforms and tools to meet needs and strategize to develop these methods for delivery.

14. Identify principles for monitoring online activity.

15. Test the design by running elements of the method and submitting to peer review using a checklist.

16. Apply methods to achieve engagement goals and objectives, including using effective communication skills, and test for appropriate sequencing.

17. Design key messages and communication tools that build trust and integrity, and meet the needs of diverse audiences.

Who should attend

The courses are suitable for new and emerging public participation practitioners or anyone involved in engagement projects in all levels of government, private industry, utilities, environmental agencies, community organizations, not-for-profit and education providers who would like to understand and deliver engagement in an USA context.

Upon completion

Participants will receive a certificate of completion from IAP2 for each course completed. Upon completing the three core courses, participants will receive a Certificate in Public Participation.

This professional development certificate program is a next step on your journey to becoming a P2 professional and separate from the IAP2 USA’s designations (CP3 & MCP3). It is important to note that participants of the Certificate in Public Participation are not certified P2 professionals. Learn more about how to become a certified P2 professional.

The benefits of IAP2 USA training:        

1. Practical knowledge and theory delivered in an inclusive training environment
2. Training is participatory and experiential, with lots of positive interaction between participants from a diverse range of backgrounds
3. Materials are contextualized for the unique needs and cultural context for U.S.A
4. All trainers are experienced trainers AND practitioners, able to reflect on current and real-world examples
5. Flexible learning pathways for participants ensuring that all training is relevant and applicable
6. Certificate in Public Participation is recognized as the standard for engagement professionals
7. All participants receive a quality training manual, with access to additional resources (where applicable)

    Upcoming IAP2 Certificate in P2 Courses

      • October 10, 2023
      • (EDT)
      • October 18, 2023
      • (EDT)
      • 4 sessions
      • Online with Trainer Kimberly Horndeski
      • 20

      IAP2 Designing Public Participation

      IAP2’s Designing Public Participation introduces practitioners to the design and plan phases of the practice framework, providing them with the opportunity to consider and develop all aspects of a public engagement plan. This includes scoping, community mapping, determining purpose and objectives and levels of influence, choosing appropriate methods and managing resources, while considering the needs of diverse audiences. Participants will work with a real life, unplanned project to develop a detailed engagement plan.

      By the end of this section, participants will:

      • For a real-world scenario, design an engagement process and plan which includes:

      • Develop a clear scope of the work, problem or opportunity with identified negotiables and non-negotiables

      • Conduct detailed stakeholder analysis, community mapping and equity analysis

      • Identify appropriate roles and levels of influence for key players

      • Establish clear engagement purpose and goals and success criteria/measures to suit scenario

      • Identify relevant profiles of engagement

      • Conduct a detailed risk/opportunities

      • Choose and sequence appropriate methods (F2F and digital) and identify communication tactics to suit the scenario

      • Identify key roles for senior leaders and decision-makers

      • Explore principles and approaches for equity, diversity and inclusion and apply them to stakeholder analysis

      • Embed digital strategies, platforms, tools and methods as part of the plan and process

      • Develop an evaluation framework to suit the scenario

      • Identify key roles and resources needed to implement the P2/engagement plan

      Dates:

      • Session will be held virtually via Zoom on October 10th, October 12th, October 16th and October 18th from 12:00 to 4:00 ET.

      Click here to register

      Trainer: Kimberly Horndeski

      Kimberly is a certified mediator, facilitator, and the Executive Director for Community Consulting LLC. Her work focuses on integrating policy and science to engage stakeholders, develop strategic plans, promote collaboration, and transform conflict into successful strategies for the future. She has led multiple state and national working groups to overcome challenges and reach consensus. Her projects include bottom-up approaches, such as working with nonprofits to develop effective strategies to engage elected officials in adopting initiatives, and top-down approaches, such as assisting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service throughout the nation to incorporate stakeholder values in the decision-making processes for federally-listed threatened and endangered species.

      • October 10, 2023
      • (EDT)
      • October 13, 2023
      • (EDT)
      • 4 sessions
      • Online via Zoom - Trainers: Cassie Hemphill & Doug Zenn
      • 13
      Register

      ***Fundamentals of Public Participation and Designing Public Participation are both prerequisites for this course

      Completion of IAP2 Foundations in P2: Planning For Effective Public Participation prior to 2023 also counts as a prerequisite for this course***

      IAP2's Applying Methods for Public Participation

      Four 4-hour sessions

      October 10, 11, 12, 13, 2023
      1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern
      12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Central
      11:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. Mountain

      10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.mPacific

      Applying Methods is a Level 2 course that introduces practitioners to a large number of P2 methods. This includes learning how to design specific methods, developing good question design, and having an opportunity to practice running some methods.

      The course is suitable for practitioners who are part of a team implementing a P2 process and are looking for the practical skills to be effective in designing and applying methods.

      Course objectives:

      1. Identify a range of methods that can be used for various engagement purposes and processes, and strategies to select the most appropriate method/s for an engagement project/process.

      2. Research, design and test a F2F and/or online method using a range of tools and resources.

      3. Apply the four steps of designing a method incorporating the eight key components of method design.

      4. Develop rational and experiential aims.

      5. Design an appropriate format.

      6. Design questions and process.

      7. Develop appropriate communications.

      8. Combine methods to achieve engagement goals and objectives and test for appropriate sequencing.

      9. Incorporate inclusion and diversity principles

      10. Identify data management needs, evaluation points and measures.

      11. Identify resources required.

      12. Explore a variety of both F2F and online methods/ techniques that are more structured and have nested methods within them (e.g., Deliberative Processes, Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space Technology).

      13. Analyze the specific requirements for online and digital methods, identify and select appropriate platforms and tools to meet needs and strategize to develop these methods for delivery.

      14. Identify principles for monitoring online activity.

      15. Test the design by running elements of the method and submitting to peer review using a checklist.

      16. Apply methods to achieve engagement goals and objectives, including using effective communication skills, and test for appropriate sequencing.

      17. Design key messages and communication tools that build trust and integrity, and meet the needs of diverse audiences.

        Professional Certification/Credits

        THIS COURSE

        Applying Methods for Public Participation (4 - 4 hour sessions CM I 16 CM

          November 14-17, 2023       1 PM – 5 PM ET

          Members $550 -- Regular $650 

          Last day to Register November 10, 2023

          PLEASE NOTE: IAP2 USA members must be logged in to receive the member rate. International IAP2 members can contact info@iap2usa.org for a code to register. 

           — Cancellation and Substitution policy —

          **You must first complete both Fundamentals of P2 and then Designing P2 before this course

          Completion of IAP2 Foundations in P2: Planning For Effective Public Participation prior to 2023 also counts as a prerequisite for this course**

          PREREQUISITE COURSES

          #1 Fundamentals of Public Participation (One 8 hour sessions CM I 8 CM

            September 13, 2023 -- Live at North American Conference -- 9 AM – 5 PM PT

            Members $275 --  Regular $325

            #2 Designing & Leading Public Participation (4 - 4 hour sessions CM I 16 CM

              September 26, 27, 28, 29, 2023       1 PM – 5 PM ET

              Members $550 -- Regular $650

              Certificate Program - All Three Modules (10 - 4 hour Sessions) 
                        Regular $1,625  Members $1,375 


              Trainers:

               Cassie Hemphill has more than 25 years of   experience in public participation and 15 years   designing and delivering training. Her courses   emphasize transferable, applied skills participants use   to become more effective in their work and personal   lives and improve the world around them. Cassie’s   Ph.D. research explored public/private collaboration in   environmental management. Her M.A. research   analyzed decision-makers' openness to public input.   She has a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution   and is an IAP2 USA Certified Public Participation   Practitioner (CP3), a Certified Mediator (CM), and a   Certified Virtual Facilitator (CVF).



              Doug Zenn has 30 years of experience in the communications field and has developed and managed community involvement, awareness, and education efforts around numerous issues including visioning, transportation, water resources, community-based planning and more. Doug has led ZennAssociates’ development of the innovative “Three-Dimensional Public Participation” model (3DP2) an approach that expands community access to project information and provides unique avenues for community input including the use of new technologies. Doug also serves on the executive committee for IAP2’s Cascade Chapter (Oregon and Southwest Washington) and is a certified trainer for IAP2’s public involvement foundations courses. Doug Zenn has 30 years of experience in the communications field and has developed and managed community involvement.

              • October 17, 2023
              • (EDT)
              • October 18, 2023
              • (EDT)
              • 2 sessions
              • Online with Trainer Cathy Smith
              • 0
              Join waitlist

               Fundamentals of Public Participation

              First course to be taken before Designing Public Participation and Applying Methods

              The Fundamentals of Public Participation (P2) course is a prerequisite to other courses in the Global Learning Pathway that sets out the underpinning models and frameworks of engagement practice as defined by the IAP2 community.

              The focus of this course is on understanding and applying the practices of meaningful and effective P2 and what participants need to know to do this well. The training explores best practices, and how to design and apply this knowledge to your P2.

              Course objectives

              By the end of this course participants will be able to:

              • Define P2 and related terms and what makes it unique
              • Identify what makes P2 meaningful, and reflect on the benefits, risks and myths related to P2
              • Identify the role that values play in P2 work, and the leadership attributes that will serve them in practice 
              • Reflect on and apply ethical leadership actions and abilities to P2 situations
              • Apply the Profiles of P2 model to P2, and explore organization- and community-led engagement and how that impacts the engagement process
              • Reflect on and apply the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and explore the roles and impacts of power and influence
              • Apply the IAP2 Spectrum to P2 situations and practice
              • Explore the Practice Framework as a tool for effective planning and process, and assess the quality of the process

              Professional Certification/Credits

              THIS COURSE

              #1 Fundamentals of Public Participation (2 - 4 hour sessions CM I 8 CM) 

                October 17-18, 2023      1 PM – 5 PM ET

                Members $275 --  Regular $325

                Last day to Register October 13, 2023

                 — Cancellation and Substitution policy —

                **You must first complete this module before Designing Public Participation and Applying Methods**

                ________________________________________________________________________

                NEXT COURSE

                #2 Designing Public Participation (4 - 4 hour sessions CM I 18 CM

                  October 30 - November 2       1 PM – 5 PM ET

                  Members $550 -- Regular $650 

                  Last day to Register October 27, 2023

                  Registration opens soon!

                  FINAL COURSE

                  #3 Applying Methods for Public Participation  (4 - 4 hour sessions CM I 18 CM

                    November 14-17     1 PM – 5 PM ET

                    Members $550 -- Regular $650 

                    Last day to Register November 10, 2023

                    Registration opens soon!

                    Certificate Program - All Three Modules (10 - 4 hour Sessions) 

                    Package (3 courses): The first course will be offered in-person on September 13 in Seattle, WA (Fundamentals). And then the program will continue virtually on September 26-29 (Designing Public Participation) and on October 10-13, 2023 (Applying Methods).

                            Regular $1,625  Members $1,375 

                      Trainer: Cathy Smith

                      Cathy’s work in the inter-related fields associated with climate change—land use, transportation, water, energy, health—brings depth of knowledge and understanding of current engagement needs. As a past community mediator and practicing writer and storyteller, her engagement insights span from conflict management to communications. She’s one of 15 Certified Public Participation Practitioners in the country, a graduate of USD’s School of Law, and IAP2USA’s Past President.







                      • October 20, 2023
                      • (EDT)
                      • October 27, 2023
                      • (EDT)
                      • 4 sessions
                      • Online with Trainer Kimberly Horndeski
                      • 20

                      IAP2 Applying Methods

                      IAP2’s Applying Methods introduces practitioners to a large number of public engagement methods, working through the selection, design, question development and implementation considerations for how we bring people together in person and online. Learning by doing, practicing, experiencing and leading methods is core to this participatory course that gives participants access to tip sheets and ‘how to’ info for more than 75 methods.

                      By the end of the section participants will be able to:

                      • Identify a range of methods which can be used for various P2/engagement purposes and processes, and strategies to select the most appropriate method/s for an P2/engagement project/ process

                      • Research, design and test a F2F and/or online method using a range of tools and resources.

                      • Apply the 4 steps of designing a method incorporating the 8 key components of method design:

                      • Develop rational and experiential aims

                      • Design an appropriate format

                      • Design questions and process

                      • Develop appropriate communications

                      • Combine methods to achieve P2/engagement goals and objectives and test for appropriate sequencing

                      • Incorporate inclusion and diversity principles

                      • Identify data management needs, evaluation points and measures

                      • Identify resources required

                      • Explore a variety of both F2F and online methods/techniques that are more structured process and have nested methods within them (E.g., Deliberative processes, Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space Technology)

                      • Analyze the specific requirements for online and digital methods, identify and select appropriate platforms and tools to meet needs, and strategies to develop these methods for delivery

                      • Identify principles for monitoring online activity

                      • Test the design by running elements of the method and submitting to peer review using a checklist

                      • Apply methods to achieve P2/engagement goals and objectives including using effective communication skills, and test for appropriate sequencing

                      • Design key messages and communication tools that build trust and integrity, and meet the needs of diverse audiences

                      Dates: 

                      This course consists of four - 4 hour live virtual sessions. Session will be held on October 20th, October 23rd, October 25th and October 27th from 12:00 to 4:00 ET.


                      Click here to register

                      Trainer: Kimberly Horndeski

                      Kimberly is a certified mediator, facilitator, and the Executive Director for Community Consulting LLC. Her work focuses on integrating policy and science to engage stakeholders, develop strategic plans, promote collaboration, and transform conflict into successful strategies for the future. She has led multiple state and national working groups to overcome challenges and reach consensus. Her projects include bottom-up approaches, such as working with nonprofits to develop effective strategies to engage elected officials in adopting initiatives, and top-down approaches, such as assisting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service throughout the nation to incorporate stakeholder values in the decision-making processes for federally-listed threatened and endangered species.

                      • October 30, 2023
                      • (EDT)
                      • November 02, 2023
                      • (EDT)
                      • 4 sessions
                      • Online Via Zoom- Trainers: Cassie Hemphill and Penny Mabie
                      • 0
                      Join waitlist

                      **You must first complete Fundamentals of Public Participation before this course**

                      Four 4-hour sessions

                      October 30 - November 2, 2023 
                      1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern
                      12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Central
                      11:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. Mountain

                      10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.mPacific


                      Designing & Leading Public Participation

                      Designing & Leading Public Participation (P2) is a Level 2 course that introduces practitioners to the design and plan phases of the practice framework, providing them with the opportunity to develop P2 plans. This includes scoping, community mapping, determining purpose and objectives and levels of influence, choosing appropriate methods and managing resources, while considering the needs of diverse audiences. The course is suitable for practitioners who are leading the planning and implementation of P2 processes.

                      Course objectives:

                      1. For a real-world scenario, design an engagement process and plan that includes:

                      • Develop a clear scope of the work, problem or opportunity with identified negotiables and non-negotiables
                      • Conduct detailed stakeholder analysis, community mapping and equity analysis
                      • Identify appropriate roles and levels of influence for key participants
                      • Establish clear engagement purpose and objectives and success criteria/measures to suit scenario
                      • Identify relevant profiles of engagement
                      • Conduct a detailed risk/opportunities assessment
                      • Identify key roles for senior leaders and decision makers

                      2. Explore principles and approaches for equity, diversity and inclusion, and apply them to stakeholder analysis

                      3. Embed digital strategies, platforms, tools and methods as part of the plan and process

                      4. Develop an evaluation framework to suit the scenario

                      5. Identify key roles and resources needed to implement the P2/engagement plan

                      6. Develop and apply a suitable presentation to senior leaders that will secure commitment and resources for the P2/engagement plan

                      7. Identify the many different contexts of engagement, including the elements present in more complex engagement scenarios

                        Professional Certification/Credits

                        THIS COURSE

                          #2 Designing & Leading Public Participation (4 - 4 hour sessions CM I 16 CM

                            October 30 - November 2, 2023       1 PM – 5 PM ET

                            Members $550 -- Regular $650 

                            Last day to Register October 27, 2023

                            PLEASE NOTE: IAP2 USA members must be logged in to receive the member rate. International IAP2 members can contact info@iap2usa.org for a code to register. 

                             — Cancellation and Substitution policy —

                            **You must first complete Fundamentals of Public Participation before this course**

                            ________________________________________________________________________

                            PREREQUISITE COURSE

                            #1 Fundamentals of Public Participation (2 - 4 hour sessions CM I 8 CM) 

                              October 17 and 18, 2023        1 PM – 5 PM ET O

                              Members $275 --  Regular $325

                              Last day to Register: October 13, 2023 

                              REGISTER FOR FUNDAMENTALS

                              FINAL COURSE

                              #3 Applying Methods for Public Participation (4 - 4 hour sessions CM I 16 CM

                                November 14-17, 2023        1 PM – 5 PM ET

                                Members $550 -- Regular $650 

                                Last day to Register: November 10, 2023

                                REGISTER FOR APPLYING METHODS

                                Certificate Program - All Three Modules (10 - 4 hour Sessions) 

                                      Regular $1,625  Members $1,375  


                                Trainers: