What is good participation?

We can say participation is good when participants…

Are interested

Do…
Do something they would not have normally done
Know what they are doing
Do what you want them to

Change…
Have agency, a power to change
Get creative with what you offer
Build on what you are doing

Own…
Feel like they own a piece of the piece
Feel they are making a significant contribution
Feel like co-authors
Respect what you do

Share and remember…
Spread the word around
Want to do the same, try to replicate after
Never forget about it

Join…
Contribute to a whole
Do the same thing at the same time
Share, help, teach each other

Are transformed…
Change their perception change their routine
Feel part of a community (virtual or physical)
Feel a need is fulfilled
Gain new skills

Come back for more

“When we talk about participation, it doesn’t always mean the same thing. Participation will start with different reasons for asking, different objectives, varying audiences. There are lots of types perfectly good kinds of participation, from participants’ doing what you hoped they would, to being transformed. Defining what makes it good depends on the goal. This list helps illustrate the range of participant impact.”

-Kelsey Snook and Melissa Mongiat, from the Good Participation initiative.