Learning how to involve community members in decision-making is an essential skill for local government managers, staff and officials. Yet, the process of public participation is often misunderstood and poorly executed. In the context of land use decision making, the job can be downright frustrating. Land use issues are complex and involve competing interests. There are constraints on time and limits to how local officials can interact with the public. The end result can be dissatisfactory for all --- drawn-out public hearings and a sense that participants had no real influence. In this session, we'll help you think through how to plan for more effective involvement, how to modify existing procedures, and the role of local land use decision makers. Presented by Rebecca Roberts, a land use specialist with the Center for Land Use Education and the Division of Extension. She has a master's degree in urban planning and has experience designing community involvement processes. She provides training and resources for local government officials and staff in the areas of zoning, subdivision regulations, community planning and public participation.