Duration:

6 hours 30 minutes

Description

This Community Engagement & Planning Workshop will introduce participants to current Community Engagement and Planning principles and practices. Through the workshop, participants will learn about the role of community engagement in planning, dynamic engagement strategies and engagement format (remote, in-person, and hybrid), and how to build community partnerships. Participants will have the opportunity to practice through role-playing and case study scenarios and collaboratively work through challenges they've experienced or have been thinking about in their work related to Engagement. Community Engagement is an evolving field, and this training aims to provide adaptive tools to build relationships and conduct meaningful Engagement with community members and those most impacted by the decisions being made.

About the instructors: 

Colette Lima is a Community Engagement Specialist II at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), where she supports inclusive engagement processes that elevate community voices across the region. Colette previously served the Essex County Community Organization (ECCO) as a community organizer, partnering with community members across race, class, and faith on campaigns focused on housing justice, community-based approaches to public safety, and immigration.  Colette brings additional experience in youth development, restorative justice, and mediation, including training and consulting with school districts on restorative justice practices. Colette holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and justice from Loyola University New Orleans and her Master of Social Work from Boston University, specializing in leadership in groups and organizations. She is active in community-based advocacy networks and has extensive experience facilitating collaborative, community-driven processes.

Emma Koontz (they/them) joined MAPC’s Community Engagement Team in 2024. In their role as Council Engagement Specialist, they work at the intersection of planning and community engagement to advance equity in our built environments, governance structures, and civic norms. Emma holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon in Planning, Public Policy, and Management. They bring experience creating community engagement processes for government, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations. They specialize in relationship building, community engagement strategy, and event planning. In their free time, you can find them overanalyzing movies, presenting absurd PowerPoints to their friends, and karaoke-ing with more enthusiasm than skill.  

Registration deadline

April 1, 2026

Registration fee

Regular $120, MACDC Member $75, Student/AmeriCorps/Intern $50