Facilitation, Mediation, and Collaborative Solutions
USEPA-ORD Biofuels Study Executed with Efficiency in Central and Great Plains Area – Central Plains/Great Plains
The Forrester Group was the process designer and lead facilitator to help guide this major USEPA-ORD study on the future scenarios for a large region from Ohio to Montana (Central Plains, Great Plains) on issues related to the production of biofuels, the future of agriculture, and the water quantity/quality impacts of various options.
The process kicked off with a Stakeholder Forum on November 7, 2007, in Ames, Iowa. The Forrester group led a team of four sub-facilitators in a dialogue process with numerous stakeholders from across the Midwest, representing agribusiness, NGOs, conservation advocates, farmers, government, and academia.
Watershed Planning Process Blazes New Ground in Strategy and Approach – Missouri
The Forrester Group was the process designer and facilitator for a new watershed management plan process for this populous region of southwest Missouri. The Forrester Group is leading the facilitation efforts for the James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) basin-wide watershed planning process that has been underway since 2006.
Working under JRBP’s direction and with collaborators like Table Rock Lake Water Quality Inc. and Christian County Soil and Water Conservation District, The Forrester Group is designing the process and facilitating stakeholder planning groups within each of the six sub-watersheds in the James River Basin. Localized groups in the Headwaters, Middle James, Finley River, Lower James, Table Rock Lake and Flat Creek sub-watersheds will work independently and together in the future to help make a workable and realistic grassroots-driven plan for water quality improvement. Due to the nexus between tourism, water quality and socioeconomic progress, the planning effort will focus on the sustainability of clean, abundant water as a key indicator for the future. We will also be assisting in the WMP strategic discussions and future activities as the plan moves ahead. The plan’s approach and grassroots strategy is the first of its kind in the State of Missouri.
Gap Assessment Provides Insight for Fast-growing Water Utility – Arkansas
Beaver Lake provides drinking water, hydroelectric power, recreation and water supply to Northwest Arkansas, one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S. and home to significant sectors related to poultry (Tyson Foods headquarters) and retail (Wal-Mart headquarters).
The Forrester Group was the process designer and facilitator for an innovative knowledge gap assessment for the Beaver Water District (BWD). The focus of the study was to better determine educational program needs and to analyze stakeholder knowledge processing for future watershed planning efforts. We also performed interviews/research for the BWD-sanctioned study to determine knowledge gaps of a cross-section of Beaver Lake elected officials, professional policy practitioners, and the general population.
Facilitation Brings Cohesion and Ease to Five Million Dollar Community Grant Spending – Middle Missouri
The Forrester Group was hired by a Fortune 500 utility to facilitate a rural community decision on how to use a $5.0 million grant from the utility. It was an emotionally-charged issue, and the potential for criticism of the process was high. However, due to the way the process was managed, the method used by our client to facilitate the decision received praise in the local press, from citizens, and from involved government entities. The Forrester Group accomplished this by quickly assessing the local community sentiments and designing/facilitating a process that was perceived as inclusive, fair, and transparent.
We had less than six weeks to complete this challenge due to a government-imposed timeframe. Although the funds were generally earmarked for environmental, emergency management, and economic development, specific projects had not been conceived or selected. Prior to our involvement, local citizens and groups were invited to nominate projects. More than 100 projects, totaling in excess of $50 million, were submitted.
Aware of the high degree of public and government-entity interest, we recommended a public panel review and selection process. We researched the local community to identify panelists and established a panel that was perceived as community-aware and unbiased.
Given the sheer volume of project application materials and the looming six week deadline, it was critical for the panel to have assistance in order to quickly understand the benefits of each project. We facilitated a series of public panel meetings, in which all applicants had the opportunity to present their project. Our work included tracking all of the applications, assisting in publishing the applications on the utility company website, organizing all logistics, and preparing instructional materials for the panelist/panel meetings.
After panel review of the applications, The Forrester Group facilitated the panel agreement on a ranking system. The resulting panel recommendation met the public, government entity, and press test of thoroughness and impartiality.
Subsequent to facilitating the panel process, the utility company re-engaged The Forrester Group to assist the grant recipients in implementing the selected projects.
Rural Town Benefits from Big Environmental Help and Attention – Missouri
Despite its status as a small village, The Forrester Group assisted the Village of Stella, Missouri, in getting an abandoned asbestos-contaminated hospital noticed and addressed by EPA. We also assisted the town leaders in a visioning process to develop plans for how to redevelop the site and the village in the future. Through our contacts with the EPA, we successfully linked the village to the proper parties at the EPA to conduct investigations and removal activities. These activities cost approximately $600,000 and were subsequently carried out by EPA. In a follow-up from our client, we received the following commendation for our work.
“Shawn, we could not have had a successful meeting without you. You guided us and brought out things that were just what we needed. How blessed that you would give us a gift as this. We want to show you our appreciation by being successful, and with God’s help, we will do this.”
At the town’s invitation, The Forrester Group’s Shawn Grindstaff was honored to ride in a Memorial Day parade celebrating the progress on the hospital.