IAP2 USA Online Courses

Global Certificate in P2 Courses

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.

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 approximately 30 hours of effective training in public participation and engagement.

Fundamentals of Public Participation

(Prerequisite to other courses)

Who: For all practitioners

This course:

  • Explores IAP2’s best practices and underlying frameworks to create meaningful participation and reflect on one’s own existing practice
  • Centers diversity, equity and inclusion in the practice of engagement
  • Allows participant’s to apply this knowledge to their own public participation practice

Designing Public Participation

Who: For practitioners who are leading the planning and implementation of public participation processes

This course:

  • Helps practitioners design an engagement process and plan for a real-world scenario

Applying Methods

Who: For practitioners who are part of a team implementing a public participation process and are looking for the practical skills to be effective in designing and applying methods.

This course:

  • Provides opportunities to practice and evaluate methods
  • Demonstrates ways to blend methods into hybrid techniques
  • Shares techniques to craft questions to draw out meaningful input
Learn More!

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.

"I wanted to tell you that I’m getting great feedback from everyone and it’s truly been a life changing experience for some, which I knew it would be. I can’t thank you enough for your help this past week and I look forward to two more trainings for the rest of my Public Outreach & Engagement Peer Group. We have about 45 people all being trained with IAP2. Just think what a difference that will make in our Agency moving forward!"

Deanna J. Desedas, Public Outreach & Engagement Manager
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

All Upcoming Courses

  • IAP2 Working with Conflict and High Emotion - Hosted by Kimberly Horndeski

    • October 21, 2025
    • October 30, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • Online with Trainer Kimberly Horndeski

    IAP2's Working with Conflict and High Emotion

    **You must first complete Fundamentals of Public Participation or IAP2's previous Foundations Training to take this course**


    The focus of this Level 3 course is on de-escalating and shifting conflict and high emotion to constructive participation, where forward momentum and resolution are possible.

    Participants will gain a deep understanding of the state of conflict, and work with practical, tangible approaches to deescalate and transform challenges. Over the course, we will cover tools, strategies and ways of working to resolve polarized and emotional challenges.



    COURSE OBJECTIVES:

    • Assess the state of conflict and emotion in the
    • P2/engagement process, and create productive and constructive approaches
    • Work with the stages of conflict escalation and apply he concepts of de-escalation
    • Apply a variety of strategies to transform the conflict in P2/engagement
    • Identify the impact of high emotion and apply a range of approaches to deescalate challenges
    • Identify how to reduce conflict in situations of misinformation and dueling facts
    • Apply the principles of storytelling to connect people to each other, increase understanding and reduce conflict
    • Learn from mistakes and understand the role of failure in P2/engagement processes
    • Identify and apply how to mo0del integrity and behaviors hat deescalate conflict
    • Apply the strategies and tools to your own project or situation

    WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE: Level 2 and 3 practitioners who are:

    • leading and managing P2/engagement processes with challenges, scope and scale looking for tools and strategies to apply to a polarized, charged P2/engagement environment
    • Practitioners with experience in P2/engagement processes where there is conflict and/or high emotion

    By the end of Working with Conflict and High Emotion, you will be ready to travel on a journey that improves mutual understanding, changes relationships and systems to meet human needs, contributes to building peace and creates lasting change.

    ________________________________________________________________________________


    This is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE!

    Click Here to Register on trainers website! 

    ________________________________________________________________________________

    Cost:

    • Members $550
    • Regular/Non-Member $650

    Date/Time of Training:

    DATES: October 21, 23, 28, 30, 2025

    • 12:00 PM to 4:00PM CST

    ________________________________________________________________________________


    This is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE!

    Click Here to Register on trainers website! 

    ________________________________________________________________________________


    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.


    Show details

  • Applying Methods for Public Participation - Hosted by IAP2 USA

    • October 28, 2025
    • October 31, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • Online with Trainer Penny Mabie
    • 13
    Register

    IAP2's Applying Methods for Public Participation

    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

       — Cancellation and Substitution Policy —

      Trainer: Penny Mabie 

      Penny Mabie has been licensed by IAP2 to deliver the Certificate Program since 2009. She has more than 20 years of experience in public involvement, facilitation, and training. As a public involvement consultant, Penny provides facilitation and public participation services to support environmental remediation decision processes, infrastructure siting and design, multi-jurisdictional task forces on flood control, recycling and transportation planning, and national climate change initiatives. She is also a roster member with the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

      Show details

    • County of San Diego, Global Certificate in P2 Cohort #4, 2025

      • October 30, 2025
      • December 18, 2025
      • 5 sessions
      • City of San Diego
      Register

      County of San Diego Global Certificate in Public Participation

      **This training is for the COUNTY of San Diego employees ONLY**

      IAP2 USA Licensed Trainer: Cathy Smith 

      2025 Cohort #4, training dates (in-person): 

      • October 30: Fundamentals
      • Nov 7: Designing/leading
      • Nov 14: Designing/leading
      • Dec 11: Methods
      • Dec 18: Methods

      Training and Course Details: 

      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.
      Show details

    • IAP2 Fundamentals in Public Participation - Hosted by Cassie Hemphill

      • November 04, 2025
      • 10:00 AM
      • November 05, 2025
      • 3:00 PM
      • Online with Trainer Cassie Hemphill

      Fundamentals of Public Participation

      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 is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE!

      Click Here to Register on trainers website! 

      ______________________________________________________________________________

      Cost:

      • Members $275
      • Regular/Non-Member $325

      Date/Time of Training:

      DATES: November 4 - 5,  2025

      • 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM MST 
      • One hour lunch break 
      • 1:00 PM to 3:00PM MST 

      _______________________________________________________________________________

      This is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE!

      Click Here to Register on trainers website! 

      ______________________________________________________________________________


      Trainer: Cassie Hemphill 

      Cassie Hemphill has more than 25 years of experience in designing and leading public participation and engagement processes and projects. Her work has included environmental and natural resource management, healthcare delivery, education, and community-based human services. She has been creating and delivering remote and in-person training experiences for professionals and community members for more than 15 years. 

      Cassie has been involved with IAP2 since 2003. She helped create IAP2 USA’s Professional Certification program, assisted with updates and development of IAP2’s course materials, and has served on the USA and Intermountain Chapter boards. She currently serves as an IAP2 Licensing Programme Mentor, preparing candidates from around the world to become IAP2 Licensed Trainers.

      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).


      Show details

    • Stakeholder "Mapping" -- Identifying and Analyzing Underrepresented Stakeholders

      • November 04, 2025
      • 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
      • Online Via Zoom
      • 14
      Register

      November 4, 2025 

      12:00 - 4:30 pm Eastern

      This course introduces a powerful, transparent process to identify and analyze key stakeholders for any engagement project – a critical step in an ethical and equity-centered engagement design. After understanding the theory and purpose, participants use short cases to practice stakeholder mapping. They learn how to identify and analyze the full spectrum of stakeholders, with special emphasis on underrepresented stakeholders who need additional outreach/support to ensure inclusive engagement. For each case, the group learns how to “clean” and finalize the map, and then discusses implementation challenges and how to overcome them.

      Learning outcomes:

      • Challenge: Design and implement equity-centered engagement processes for increasingly diverse communities 
      • Critical to success: Robust and comprehensive stakeholder identification and analysis (“stakeholder mapping”)
      • Course combines theory, practice, instructions, templates
      • Participants leave ready to conduct thorough, defensible stakeholder mapping that identifies underrepresented stakeholders, and use the results to plan and successfully implement inclusive engagement 

        Outline:

        • Introduction, overview, and grounding
        • Stakeholder mapping 
          • Framing 
          • Process + Practice, Case 1 
          • IAP2 context: Code of Ethics 
          • Process + Practice, Case 2
        •  Close: Reflections, evaluation 

        Participants receive:

        • Detailed stakeholder mapping instructions 
        • Stakeholder mapping templates and examples 
        • Complete course content and notetaking document
        $200 Members  --  $275 Non Members  --  $125 Student Members. 

        PLEASE NOTE: IAP2 USA members must be logged into iap2usa.org as a member to register at the member rate.

        Members from other IAP2 regions need a code to register which can be obtained from info@iap2usa.org. 

         — Cancellation and Substitution policy —

        Trainer: Anne Carroll

        Anne Carroll has been a consultant and trainer in public involvement and strategic planning for many years, serving primarily the public sector in both the USA and Canada. She focuses on designing and implementing ethical and equity-centered stakeholder engagement on important public issues, reaching out to and engaging diverse groups of people and perspectives, and tackling complex and multi-stakeholder environments. She served for 16 years as an elected member of the citywide St. Paul, Minnesota Board of Education, and serves as a board or committee member with IAP2 USA and the Minnesota Chapter, and the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership.
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      • Understanding Conflict for Public Participation - Hosted by IAP2 USA

        • November 06, 2025
        • November 07, 2025
        • 2 sessions
        • Online
        • 18
        Register

        IAP2 Understanding Conflict in Public Participation

        **You must first complete Fundamentals of Public Participation or the previous Foundations Training to take this course**

        The aim of Understanding Conflict in P2/engagement is to help you understand, and more effectively manage, conflict dynamics. The focus of this Level 1 course will be on developing the skills of participants to identify and mitigate situations of tension and conflict within their P2/engagement work.




        Course Objectives:

        • Understand the sources, types and factors that contribute to conflict in P2/engagement and the impact they may have on the process

        • Understand the role of power and influence in engagement practice

        • Understand and identify the cycle of escalation, and the behaviors, attitudes and actions that are evident as conflict increases

        • Contribute to and/or apply strategies to de-escalate challenging situations

        • Identify how to build effective relationships and partnerships through empathy, active listening, respect and trust

        • Learn approaches to work in challenging situations applying behaviors that build trust and credibility

        • Consider the role of integrity and ethics in the conduct of the P2/engagement practitioner, and how that is upheld in the process

          Professional Certification/Credits


           — Cancellation and Substitution policy —



          Show details

        • IAP2's Designing and Leading Public Participation - Hosted by Cassie Hemphill

          • November 10, 2025
          • November 19, 2025
          • 4 sessions
          • Online with Trainer Cassie Hemphill

          Designing and Leading Public Participation

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

          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-negotiable
            • 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 maker
          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 is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer.

          _______________________________________________________________________________________________

          This is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE! 

          Click Here to Register on trainers website!

          ________________________________________________________________________________

          Cost:

          • Members $550
          • Regular/Non-Member $650

          Date/Time of Training:

          DATES: November 10, 12, 17 and 19, 2025

          • 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM MST 
          • One hour lunch break 
          • 1:00 PM to 3:00PM MST 

          ________________________________________________________________________________

          Trainer: Cassie Hemphill 

          Cassie Hemphill has more than 25 years of experience in designing and leading public participation and engagement processes and projects. Her work has included environmental and natural resource management, healthcare delivery, education, and community-based human services. She has been creating and delivering remote and in-person training experiences for professionals and community members for more than 15 years.

          Cassie has been involved with IAP2 since 2003. She helped create IAP2 USA’s Professional Certification program, assisted with updates and development of IAP2’s course materials, and has served on the USA and Intermountain Chapter boards. She currently serves as an IAP2 Licensing Programme Mentor, preparing candidates from around the world to become IAP2 Licensed Trainers.

          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).


          Show details

        • Fundamentals of Public Participation - Hosted by IAP2 USA

          • November 12, 2025
          • November 13, 2025
          • 2 sessions
          • Online with Trainer Penny Mabie
          • 17
          Register

           Fundamentals of Public Participation

          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

           — Cancellation and Substitution Policy —

          Trainer: Penny Mabie 

          Penny Mabie has been licensed by IAP2 to deliver the Certificate Program since 2009. She has more than 20 years of experience in public involvement, facilitation, and training. As a public involvement consultant, Penny provides facilitation and public participation services to support environmental remediation decision processes, infrastructure siting and design, multi-jurisdictional task forces on flood control, recycling and transportation planning, and national climate change initiatives. She is also a roster member with the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

          Show details

        • IAP2 Working with Conflict and High Emotion - Hosted by Cassie Hemphill

          • November 13, 2025
          • November 21, 2025
          • 4 sessions
          • Online with Trainer Cassie Hemphill

          IAP2's Working with Conflict and High Emotion

          **You must first complete Fundamentals of Public Participation or IAP2's previous Foundations Training to take this course**


          The focus of this Level 3 course is on de-escalating and shifting conflict and high emotion to constructive participation, where forward momentum and resolution are possible.

          Participants will gain a deep understanding of the state of conflict, and work with practical, tangible approaches to deescalate and transform challenges. Over the course, we will cover tools, strategies and ways of working to resolve polarized and emotional challenges.



          COURSE OBJECTIVES:

          • Assess the state of conflict and emotion in the
          • P2/engagement process, and create productive and constructive approaches
          • Work with the stages of conflict escalation and apply he concepts of de-escalation
          • Apply a variety of strategies to transform the conflict in P2/engagement
          • Identify the impact of high emotion and apply a range of approaches to deescalate challenges
          • Identify how to reduce conflict in situations of misinformation and dueling facts
          • Apply the principles of storytelling to connect people to each other, increase understanding and reduce conflict
          • Learn from mistakes and understand the role of failure in P2/engagement processes
          • Identify and apply how to mo0del integrity and behaviors hat deescalate conflict
          • Apply the strategies and tools to your own project or situation

          WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE: Level 2 and 3 practitioners who are:

          • leading and managing P2/engagement processes with challenges, scope and scale looking for tools and strategies to apply to a polarized, charged P2/engagement environment
          • Practitioners with experience in P2/engagement processes where there is conflict and/or high emotion

          By the end of Working with Conflict and High Emotion, you will be ready to travel on a journey that improves mutual understanding, changes relationships and systems to meet human needs, contributes to building peace and creates lasting change.

          ________________________________________________________________________________


          This is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE!

          Click Here to Register on trainers website! 

          ________________________________________________________________________________

          Cost:

          • Members $550
          • Regular/Non-Member $650

          Date/Time of Training:

          DATES: November 13, 14, 20,  and 21, 2025 (Must attend all four days) 

          • 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM MST 
          • One hour lunch break 
          • 1:00 PM to 3:00PM MST 

          ________________________________________________________________________________


          Trainer: Cassie Hemphill 

          Cassie Hemphill has more than 25 years of experience in designing and leading public participation and engagement processes and projects. Her work has included environmental and natural resource management, healthcare delivery, education, and community-based human services. She has been creating and delivering remote and in-person training experiences for professionals and community members for more than 15 years. 

          Cassie has been involved with IAP2 since 2003. She helped create IAP2 USA’s Professional Certification program, assisted with updates and development of IAP2’s course materials, and has served on the USA and Intermountain Chapter boards. She currently serves as an IAP2 Licensing Programme Mentor, preparing candidates from around the world to become IAP2 Licensed Trainers.

          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).


          Show details

        • Intermountain Chapter Training, In Person, Full Certificate Training

          • December 01, 2025
          • December 05, 2025
          • 5 sessions
          • Salt Lake City Fire Station #3 Training Room 2425 S 900 E Salt Lake City, UT 84106
          • 19
          Register

          Intermountain Chapter Training, In Person, Full Certificate Global Learning Pathway IAP2 Training

          Dates: December 1, 2025 through December 5, 2025 

          • Fundamentals: December 1 
          • Designing and Leading P2: December 2 and 3 
          • Applying Methods in P2: December 4 and 5 

          Time: 8:30am to 5:00pm daily 

          Location: Salt Lake City Fire Station #3

          Training Room

          2425 S 900 E

          Salt Lake City, UT 84106


          *8 hour training each day. 

            Professional Certification/Credits

             — Cancellation and Substitution Policy —

            Trainer: Justin Schneider 

            Justin Schneider has more than 20 years of experience working with communities in the United States and abroad, focusing on p2/engagement, community development, community-based research, and legal work. Justin began his connection with IAP2 in 2018 and now supports the Lonestar Chapter. Currently, Justin is based in Austin, Texas and manages Oak Grove Community Consulting. He also works for Austin Parks and Recreation Department as a community engagement consultant and supports training within the organization. If you work for the City of Austin, please reach out to Justin before registering.
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          • IAP2 Fundamentals in Public Participation - Hosted by Cassie Hemphill

            • December 02, 2025
            • 10:00 AM
            • December 03, 2025
            • 3:00 PM
            • Online with Trainer Cassie Hemphill

            Fundamentals of Public Participation

            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 is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE!

            Click Here to Register on trainers website! 

            ______________________________________________________________________________

            Cost:

            • Members $275
            • Regular/Non-Member $325

            Date/Time of Training:

            DATES: December 2 - 3,  2025

            • 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM MST 
            • One hour lunch break 
            • 1:00 PM to 3:00PM MST 

            _______________________________________________________________________________

            This is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE!

            Click Here to Register on trainers website! 

            ______________________________________________________________________________


            Trainer: Cassie Hemphill 

            Cassie Hemphill has more than 25 years of experience in designing and leading public participation and engagement processes and projects. Her work has included environmental and natural resource management, healthcare delivery, education, and community-based human services. She has been creating and delivering remote and in-person training experiences for professionals and community members for more than 15 years. 

            Cassie has been involved with IAP2 since 2003. She helped create IAP2 USA’s Professional Certification program, assisted with updates and development of IAP2’s course materials, and has served on the USA and Intermountain Chapter boards. She currently serves as an IAP2 Licensing Programme Mentor, preparing candidates from around the world to become IAP2 Licensed Trainers.

            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).


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          • Designing & Leading Public Participation - Hosted by IAP2 USA

            • December 02, 2025
            • December 05, 2025
            • 4 sessions
            • Online with Kimberly Horndeski
            • 8
            Register

            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


               — Cancellation and Substitution Policy —

              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.
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            • IAP2's Facilitating Groups - Hosted by Cassie Hemphill

              • December 09, 2025
              • 10:00 AM
              • December 10, 2025
              • 3:00 PM
              • Online with Trainer Cassie Hemphill

              IAP2's Facilitating Groups

              **You must first complete Fundamentals of Public Participation or IAP2's previous Foundations Training to take this course**

              Explore the facilitation framework to develop skills and confidence in developing your engagement facilitation approach.

              The aim of Facilitating Groups is to explore the framework and develop skills and confidence in facilitating P2 and engagement methods. The focus will be about enhancing practitioners’ ability to respond appropriately, generating confidence in and support for your facilitation approach.

              Course objectives

              • Examine the framework and purpose of facilitation in an engagement context
              • Build a repertoire of tools and processes
              • Practice some core skills
              • Troubleshoot specific challenges 
              • Explore the changes needed for facilitation of digital engagement processes

              ____________________________________________________________________________

              This is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE!

              Click Here to Register on trainers website! 

              ______________________________________________________________________________

              Cost:

              • Members $275
              • Regular/Non-Member $325

              Date/Time of Training:

              DATES: December 9 - 10,  2025

              • 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM MST 
              • One hour lunch break 
              • 1:00 PM to 3:00PM MST 

              ____________________________________________________________________________

              This is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE!

              Click Here to Register on trainers website! 

              _______________________________________________________________________________


              Trainer: Cassie Hemphill 

              Cassie Hemphill has more than 25 years of experience in designing and leading public participation and engagement processes and projects. Her work has included environmental and natural resource management, healthcare delivery, education, and community-based human services. She has been creating and delivering remote and in-person training experiences for professionals and community members for more than 15 years. 

              Cassie has been involved with IAP2 since 2003. She helped create IAP2 USA’s Professional Certification program, assisted with updates and development of IAP2’s course materials, and has served on the USA and Intermountain Chapter boards. She currently serves as an IAP2 Licensing Programme Mentor, preparing candidates from around the world to become IAP2 Licensed Trainers.

              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).


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            • Applying Methods for Public Participation - Hosted by IAP2 USA

              • December 09, 2025
              • December 12, 2025
              • 4 sessions
              • Online with Trainer Justin Schneider
              • 14
              Register

              IAP2's Applying Methods for Public Participation

              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

                 — Cancellation and Substitution Policy —

                Trainer: Justin Schneider 

                Justin Schneider has more than 20 years of experience working with communities in the United States and abroad, focusing on p2/engagement, community development, community-based research, and legal work. Justin began his connection with IAP2 in 2018 and now supports the Lonestar Chapter. Currently, Justin is based in Austin, Texas and manages Oak Grove Community Consulting. He also works for Austin Parks and Recreation Department as a community engagement consultant and supports training within the organization. If you work for the City of Austin, please reach out to Justin before registering.

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              • Fundamentals of Public Participation - Hosted by IAP2 USA

                • December 16, 2025
                • 1:00 PM
                • December 17, 2025
                • 5:00 PM
                • Online with Trainer Craddock Stropes
                • 20
                Register

                 Fundamentals of Public Participation

                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

                 — Cancellation and Substitution Policy —

                Trainer:

                Craddock Stropes (she/her) is a facilitator, trainer and coach with more than 25 years of experience in the local government and non-profit sectors. Her work centers on connecting people with ideas to create inclusive, strategic and tangible solutions that make everyday lives better. She is chair of the IAP2 USA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, a member of the American Public Works Association national DEI Committee and is active in the International Network of Asian Public Administrators. She has presented learning sessions on inclusion, public engagement and crisis communications for Connect, California Association for Public Information Officers, Public Relations Society of America, American Public Works Association and Transforming Local Government conferences. She is currently a senior management analyst for the City of Carlsbad.


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              • Midwest Chapter, In Person, Full Certificate Training

                • February 23, 2026
                • February 27, 2026
                • 5 sessions
                • JEO Consulting Group 11213 Davenport Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68154
                • 12
                Register

                Midwest Chapter, In Person, Full Certificate Global Learning Pathway IAP2 Training

                Dates: February 23-27, 2026

                • Fundamentals: February 23
                • Designing and Leading P2: February 24 and 25 
                • Applying Methods in P2: February 26 and 27 

                Time: 8:30am to 5:00pm daily 

                Location: Omaha, NE (in-person)

                JEO Consulting Group

                11213 Davenport Street, Suite 200

                Omaha, NE 68154

                *8 hour training each day. 

                  Professional Certification/Credits

                   — Cancellation and Substitution Policy —

                  Trainer: Doug Zenn 

                  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.
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                IAP2 Licensed Trainers

                IAP2 USA Trainers are among the most dedicated, experienced and welcoming trainers in the world. Many volunteered as course developers for the Flagship Courses, collaborators in the formation of the IAP2 Federation, and leaders in launching the IAP2 USA Affiliate. Learn more about the History of IAP2 USA and Get Involved!

                For the complete schedule of upcoming trainings and events, please visit our Events Calendar. In addition, the IAP2 Federation maintains a global calendar of public IAP2 training programs.


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