Fundamentals of Public Participation - Hosted by IAP2 USA

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

Payment Policy

• Full payment must be received before the start of the course to confirm participation. 
• Please contact info@iap2usa.org if you will be paying by PO or check and will not be able to submit payment in advance of training.
• Your registration may be cancelled if payment has not been submitted and alternative arrangments have not been confirmed by IAP2 USA.

PLEASE NOTE: Our registration system requires that members log into the IAP2 USA website using their username and password. This allows us to maintain an accurate history of participation. Once logged in, the discounted registration rates for members will be available. We do not use registration codes for members - only international members of our other IAP2 affiliates and APA members. 

Members from other IAP2 affiliates/regions and APA members should contact info@iap2usa.org to obtain the registration discount code.

Cancellation and Substitution Policy

All cancellations and requests for refunds for IAP2 USA online courses must be made in writing as indicated below. Requests must be sent to IAP2 USA at info@iap2usa.org.Telephone requests/voicemails will not be honored.

Full refunds require written notice and must be submitted by 12:00 noon Eastern Time three days prior to the first day of class. Refunds will include an administrative fee of $25.00.

There will be no refunds for cancellation requests received two or fewer days prior to the start of class. However, a substitute may be named prior to the beginning of the course and that registration will be honored. Please email your substitution information to info@iap2usa.org and support@iap2usa.org prior to the start date of the course.

IAP2 USA reserves the right to cancel courses not meeting the required minimum by the end of the day three days prior to the start of class. In such circumstances, full refunds will be granted and admin fee waived. 

Professional Certification and Continuing Education Credits

• This course is required for IAP2 Professional Certification
• This course is eligible for APA - AICP Continuing Education Credit CM I 8 CM

Meet Your Trainer

Michelle Gutt

Michelle brings 40 years of experience in public relations and community engagement across government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors to her training. With two decades in municipal government communications and engagement, Michelle has developed a deep understanding of how to build strong, lasting connections between local government and the communities they serve. Michelle began her IAP2 journey in 2012 and became a licensed trainer in 2024. She currently serves as the Community Engagement Manager for the City of Fort Worth, where her team is responsible for planning and implementing all of the community outreach and engagement for the 12th largest city in the U.S. She is also the owner of PRP2 Connections.