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• Access to Information -The process will provide participants with timely access <br />to all relevant information in an understandable and user-friendly way. <br />• Access to Decision Making - The process will give participants the opportunity <br />to influence decision making. <br />• Respect for Diverse Interests - The process will foster respect for the diverse <br />values, interests, and knowledge of those involved. <br />• Accountability - The process will reflect that participants are accountable to <br />both their constituents and to the success of the process. <br />The City should be designed and run to meet the needs and priorities of its citizens. <br />Staff and advisory boards must ensure the Guiding Principles direct their work. In <br />addition to the responsibilities established by the Guiding Principles, staff and advisory <br />boards are responsible for: <br />• ensuring that decisions and recommendations reflect the needs and desires of <br />the community as a whole; <br />• pursuing public involvement with a positive spirit because it helps clarify those <br />needs and desires and also adds value to projects; <br />• in all public involvement activities fostering Tong -term relationships based on <br />respect and trust; <br />• encouraging positive working partnerships; <br />• ensuring that no participant or group is marginalized or ignored; <br />• drawing out the silent majority, the voiceless and the disempowered; and <br />• being familiar with a variety of public involvement techniques and the <br />strengths and weaknesses of various approaches. <br />The public is also accountable for the public involvement process and for the results it <br />produces. All parties are responsible for: <br />• working within the process in a cooperative and civil manner; <br />• focusing on real issues and not on furthering personal agendas; <br />• balancing personal concerns with the needs of the community as a whole; <br />• having realistic expectations; <br />• participating openly, honestly and constructively, offering ideas, suggestions <br />and alternatives; <br />• listening carefully and actively consider everyone's perspectives; <br />• identifying their concerns and issues early in the process; <br />• providing their names and contact information if they want direct feedback; <br />• remembering that no single voice is more important than all others, and that <br />there are diverse opinions to be considered; <br />• making every effort to work within the project schedule and if this is not <br />possible, discussing this with the proponent without delay; <br />• recognizing that process schedules may be constrained by external factors such <br />as limited funding, broader project schedules or legislative requirements; <br />• accepting some responsibility for keeping themselves aware of current issues, <br />making others aware of project activities and soliciting their involvement and <br />input; and <br />8 <br />