For public agencies across the country, the pandemic required teams to quickly adapt to a new way of interacting with their community. Organizations moved processes from in-person to digital formats and public meetings also had to make the leap, with many teams turning to conferencing tools, like Microsoft Teams, Webex, and Zoom, to support the change. What we thought would be a temporary shift now appears to be something bigger. Virtual tactics are here to stay, but with that realization comes a new set of questions and challenges, like: As we look toward the future of public engagement, hybrid public meetings and their combination of in-person and virtual participation, are emerging as the answer. The key to understanding hybrid public meetings is the hybrid aspect of the hearings. Specifically referring to the physical location of participants, during a hybrid public meeting a subset of attendees are located together in a central location while other attendees join the meeting through web or phone conferencing. Hybrid public meeting software is the bridge that connects the agency’s conferencing platform with the in-person meeting while facilitating the critical backend workflows of a public meeting. Aside from the uncertainty about in-person gatherings, there are still a few concerns to be addressed, including: Our team has been hard at work gathering input and prototyping new solutions to address the challenges created by virtual and hybrid public meetings. Here’s an initial look at how emerging technologies will help teams address these challenges: In short – Now! If you don’t have a plan finalized for in-person and hybrid public meetings, you’re not alone. If there’s one thing we’ve learned during the pandemic, it’s that our situation can rapidly change. In a single news cycle, public perception and state guidelines change, leaving local government in a reactive position. By proactively beginning internal discussions and drafting policy documents now, organizations can put themselves in a better position to meet the changing expectations of the public, elected officials, and shifting state guidelines. In a brief survey of PublicInput agencies, over 60% of respondents said that they were not sure if and when in-person meetings would resume for their organization. The expectation of flexible, equitable, and safe ways for resident participation won’t recede with COVID-19 restrictions. Rather, public organizations and their consulting partners will be tasked with providing more flexible engagement options for public meetings, public hearings, councils, boards, and commissions. Like you, we’re in this for the long haul and look forward to helping you deliver innovative, equitable approaches for the communities you serve.How Hybrid Public Meetings are Reshaping the Future of Public Engagement
What is a Hybrid Public Meeting?
What are the Benefits of Hybrid Public Meetings?
So, why aren't we all hosting Hybrid Public Meetings now?
How is PublicInput addressing the Hybrid Public Meeting Challenges?
When should you start planning for Hybrid Public Meetings?
The Takeaway:
The future of public meetings is neither strictly virtual nor in-person - but a blend of both.
What are your thoughts on the future of public meetings? Take a moment to let us know: