CMM Citizen Engagement & Communications Flashcards

Which public participation technique involves a randomly selected, demographically representative group of citizens who deliberate on a policy issue over multiple sessions?

Answer: Citizens' assembly (deliberative panel)

A citizens' assembly uses stratified random selection to form a representative body that deliberates deeply on complex policy questions.

IAP2's Public Participation Spectrum lists five levels of engagement. Which level represents the highest degree of public power in decision-making?

Answer: Empower

The 'Empower' level on the IAP2 spectrum places final decision-making authority with the public, the highest degree of citizen power.

A municipal manager wants to use a low-cost, high-reach channel to share real-time emergency updates with residents. Which approach is most appropriate?

Answer: Official government social media accounts

Social media platforms allow governments to push real-time updates to large audiences quickly and at minimal cost.

What does the 'plain language' standard in government communications require?

Answer: Documents should be written clearly so the intended audience can understand them the first time

Plain language means writing clearly and concisely so readers can find, understand, and use information without confusion.

Which legal requirement mandates that most governmental meetings be open to the public in the United States?

Answer: Open Meetings Law (Sunshine Law)

State open meetings (sunshine) laws require governmental bodies to conduct deliberations and decisions in public with proper notice.

A city's communications office receives a media inquiry about a sensitive personnel matter. The most appropriate response under typical HR privacy rules is to:

Answer: Decline to comment on personnel matters citing employee privacy

Personnel matters are generally protected by privacy laws; the standard government response is to decline comment while acknowledging the inquiry.