The Challenge

We have been called in by a variety of government or community organizations seeking better ways to solicit and consolidate stakeholder input.

Whatcom GRACE (Ground-Level Response and Coordinated Engagement) asked Colibri to facilitate a very complex county-wide mental health discussion that involved a wide array of stakeholders with strong beliefs in how the system should be organized. The City of Mukilteo asked us to help city staff and community members design a “peace park” after a local shooting took the lives of youth. The Mayor of the City of Edmonds asked us to capture in real time his State of the City address. Mabton, a small rural community in eastern Washington, needed help redefining its approach to community development by exploring strategies to implement its “Rural 2.0” vision.

Our Response

• Individual stakeholder mapping sessions to “see” multiple perspectives
• Focus groups to understand whole service system
• Community presentations to involve key sponsors who will provide resources to implement the work
• Community outreach to involve citizens in planning
• Information sharing to help city staff, political leadership and citizens make informed decisions
• Context and vision mapping to develop Rural 2.0 strategy that will attract resources and the innovation that comes with it

Results

• Developed agreement on vision and direction
• Clearly defined community and business strategies
• Enabled community-wide participation in process
• Demonstrated respect for multiple points of view, laying ground work for future collaboration