Elizabeth Murphy presentation for democratizing decision-making session at Redevelopment Forum 2019.

1. Key Principles for Effective
Community Engagement

2. Statewide
Community
Engagement
Project
www.creativenj.org
Launched by

3. Creative New Jersey is dedicated to fostering
creativity, collaboration, and inclusion by
empowering cross-sector partnerships in
commerce, education, philanthropy,
government and culture, in order to ensure
dynamic communities
and a thriving economy.
www.creativenj.org

4. We work in communities throughout the state:
single municipalities
counties
multiple-county regions
www.creativenj.org

5. We work in communities where there is:
urgency to act now
willingness to try new approaches
commitment to involving the
whole community
www.creativenj.org

6. We are
conveners
and network
builders
www.creativenj.org

7. Since 2011, Creative NJ has produced and/or engaged:
228 partnering organizations
2,000+ individual participants
11 community-based convenings
3 regional convenings
2 issue-specific (disaster response & public health)
7 statewide summits
www.creativenj.org

8. By championing creative-thinking and
establishing the conditions for
collaboration among highly-diverse
groups of people, our work:
www.creativenj.org

9. Advances dialogue on critical issues
www.creativenj.org
Strengthens community bonds
Creates a democratic and
egalitarian environment
Creates a fairer playing field

10. How We Work
www.creativenj.org

11. Build Community Host Teams
organizations as anchor team members
reps from commerce, culture, education,
government & philanthropy
diversity on every level is essential
DEEP DIVE of DISCOVERY
www.creativenj.org

12. Identify Community Concerns
design the central question
reinforce the values of creativity,
collaboration and inclusion
set aside assumptions
THINKING DIFFERENTLY
www.creativenj.org

13. Crowdsource Invitation List
--usual and unusual suspects
--CEOs to migrant workers
--stay-at-home parents to business owners
--high-school students to mature adults
--nonprofit to for-profit to government
INCLUSION
www.creativenj.org

14. www.creativenj.org
 Education
• K-12
• Higher Ed
• Continuing Ed /
Professional Dev.
• Vocational Training
• Boards/Associations
 Culture
• Arts/Arts Education
• History/Heritage
• Humanities
• Culturally specific
orgs/assoc.
• Arts & Cultural
Councils
 Philanthropy
• Foundation
• Corporate
• Government
• Individual
 Community/Social
• Civic Associations
• Community Development
Corps.
• Faith-based orgs
• Social Service
• Healthcare
• Environmental/Sustainability
 Government
• State
• Local
• Military
• Law Enforcement
• Emergency Services
 Commerce
• Small Business
• Manufacturing/Trade
• Retail
• Tourism/Hospitality
• Media
• Agriculture
• Engineering/Technology/
Professional Services

15. Call to Collaboration
--Individuals from all facets of community life are
assembled to work together
--Everyone takes an active role in creating the meeting’s
agenda together, and self-organizing to lead group
discussions
EMPOWERMENT
www.creativenj.org

16. People begin to…
1. step into the role of community convener.
2. build relationships around issues of common concern.
3. garner more support for their work.
4. participate on committees outside their field.
5. create opportunities to integrate their expertise into
community activities.
6. step outside the traditional "transactional" relationship
and tackle issues and challenging questions together.
www.creativenj.org
The Shift

17. People-powered, grassroots movement
systemic approach to breaking down the divide
between:
--grass-tops & grass-roots
--neighborhoods of wealth & disinvestment
--citizens and local government
--people of different generations, ethnicities,
cultures, creeds, and socio-economic status.
www.creativenj.org

18. IMPACT STORIES
Rahway: Rahway’s Own
Hammonton: Posada Celebration
Asbury Park: Mayoral Initiatives
Skylands Region: Eco-Tourism
Monmouth County: MoCo Arts Corridor
Atlantic City: Community Fund
Statewide: Disaster Preparedness
www.creativenj.org

19. Principles of
Community Engagement
www.creativenj.org

20. 1. Define Purpose: why engage our community?
4. Think Creatively: create an environment that
fosters divergent thinking and innovative ideas
3. Engage Early: include your community in
decision-making from the beginning
2. Identify the Players: think broadly—expand
your networks
Key Principles
www.creativenj.org

21. 5. Ask Questions: set aside assumptions and
preconceived conclusions
8. Be Ready to be Surprised!
7. Collaborate: short-and long-term
collaborations
6. Dedicate Time and Resources
Key Principles
www.creativenj.org

22. OUR FORMULA
CREATIVITY
+ COLLABORATION
+ INCLUSION
_________________________________
= THRIVING COMMUNITIES
www.creativenj.org

23. Questions/
Insights
www.creativenj.org

24. Thank You
www.creativenj.org
Elizabeth Murphy
Executive Director
emurphy@creativenj.org