Confluence Policy & Strategy Group

The #1 task force mistake? Trying to solve too much.

If your scope is too wide, your process won’t go anywhere.  

Clear scope = clear outcomes.

#TaskForceTips #Leadership #CDMP #EffectiveGovernance #ConsensusBuilding #PublicPolicy #CollaborativeDecisionMaking

The Engine Behind the Process: Managing an Effective CDMP On some of the most challenging issues facing communities, agencies, and governments, the way a Collaborative Decision Making Process (CDMP) is managed can make or break its outcomes.

While a thoughtfully structured task force or work group sets the foundation, the effectiveness of the process itself hinges on how it is run. Our latest piece in the series outlines key best practices to manage and operationalize a collaborative process. confluencepsg.com/the-engine-b...

Today, the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Board (WRCB) met in Golden, CO to continue their work developing a statewide code. It’s no small lift for the Board to tackle such complex & critical issues & their work is strengthened by the active engagement of the public.

Passenger rail gains steam in CO via leadership of @GovofCO, vision of @ColoradoDOT Dir. Lew, Sr. Advisor Lisa Kaufmann & partnership w/ @RideRTD @COFRPR + CO leg & CoDel champions @SenatorBennet @Hickenlooper @JoeNeguse & @pettersen4co https://bit.ly/4hprdYQ

The Task Force Related to the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities is soliciting input to inform recommendations on issues from housing & outdoor recreation to government services & changes to state anti-discrimination laws. Input is open through Oct 21 https://bit.ly/1296ideas

A great turnout of #Wildfire Resiliency Code Board (WRCB) members & the public at the WRCB meeting in Alamosa, CO). Honored to support this group who continue their thoughtful collaboration & are on track to develop new code for adoption in 2025.  #CollaborativeDecisionMaking

Thank you @Velasco4CO for sponsoring SB23-166 creating the #Wildfire Resilience Code Board in @COStateFire & for joining members today as they continue their work to develop code to improve resiliency & mitigate risks to life & property. #publicpolicy #wildfirerisk

Energizing, time w/ leaders of CO's Division of Housing building roadmap for turning priorities into actions, exploring opportunities to lean-in on mission, be go-to partner & proactive, forward thinking leader on housing.
#AffordableHousing #WorkforceHousing #StrategicPlanning

#SchoolSafety Report released by @PEBCorg & @ConfluencePSG: Report highlights opportunities for action at the state and local levels to improve school safety. #edpolicy #schoolviolence https://bit.ly/3KaIPIB

In addition to our support of collaborative decision making processes in nearly every policy area, our @Center4EdPolicy is working w/partners nationally to align post-secondary & job-training opportunities w/ tomorrow’s workforce needs https://youtu.be/KW1s3MfPW1c?si=uC8SxPmHP8rFXxzb

We’re inspired by work of fire officials, local govt leaders, utility reps & other experts on Wildfire Resiliency Code Board who are developing code to mitigate wildfire risk. With meetings held across the state to maximize participation, WRCB was joined today by @CSFS_Outreach

Honored to be joined by @KatyAnthes at today's CO #SaferSchools Initiative mtg. After leading #k12 ed in CO as Commissioner, Katy is now Dir of Forward at @PEBC, helping to move conversations from polarization to progress in ed discussions. #edpolicy #edcolo

Great insights f/@HUDgov's Amy Gioletti & Pat Coyle ofAtlantic Community Foundation at today's #Housing Subcommittee mtg of the Task Force on the Rights of Coloradans w/Disabilities. Grateful for the members of this group & leadership of @LtGovofCO & @DavidDOrtizCO

A powerful & productive #StrategicPlanning session w/ @COLocalAffairs leaders as they explore how to be an even more effective, efficient, transparent government agency, an innovative thought leader & a trusted partner to the people & local governments they serve.

To address growing risk posed by wildfires, CO #Wildfire Resiliency Code Board is working diligently to learn, listen as they develop state code. Today’s mtg features presentations from @IntlCodeCouncil & @NFPA. Appreciate @IdahoSpringsCO hosting! @costatefire #wildfireresiliency

A powerful conversation on trauma informed practices among amazing group of CO educators in today's CO #SaferSchools Initiative mtg. Grateful to our @PEBCorg partners for leading today's panel! #schoolsafety #traumainformed #teachers https://saferschoolsinitiative.org/colorado/

Our 1st newsletter of 2024 is out. Check out At The Confluence for a recap of some of the amazing projects we were fortunate to support in 2023 & a preview of 2024! (news + newsletter sign-up at link). #collaboration #consensusbuilding https://conta.cc/48yYnAA

We are honored by all who trusted us in 2023 to support critical work on so many issues. Our work home in #Colorado always has special meaning. We are grateful for the incredible staff in state & local gov't & the hundreds who generously give time & expertise to these processes.

Great meeting with the CO Wildfire Resiliency Code Board! Incredible group of experts who are digging into some critical work for Colorado’s communities developing statewide standards & codes for wildfire resiliency. #wildfire #wildfireresiliency

Great panel #TraumaInformedPractices in #lockdown drills at CO #SaferSchools Initiative mtg. After welcome by @codepted Commissioner @SusanaCDenver, Sen. @Zenzinger_AtoZ & Sen. @Janice_Marchman. Honored to collab w/our @PEBCorg partners to convene! https://youtu.be/LuVfhR1E5wo

A true privilege to spend some long days leading strategic planning retreat of #JuvenileJustice & #DelinquencyPrevention Council. Thank you for your work & trusting us to support you. Overwhelmed, inspired & optimistic. Words we heard at conclusion of time together. We agree!

6 reasons a #workgroup or #taskforce may be the best path forward: In part 2 of our series, Confluence PSG Policy Director, Carrie Steele discusses benefits of collaborative processes to address complex or contentious issues. #publicpolicy #collaboration https://bit.ly/4678DhM

Task Force, Work Group, Blue Ribbon Commission... The name may vary but collaborative decision making bodies have potential to inform bold, consensus based action when effectively structured & run. Part 1 of our blog series on these processes is up now. https://bit.ly/45yM9X0

Being neutral as facilitators – in fact & perception - is critical to build trust & achieve sustainable outcomes. It's also complicated for facilitators & process sponsors to get right. Next week, a blog series on neutrality & task force best practices. http://www.confluencepsg.com

In #NorthCarolina, educators & employers came together at the Education & Workforce Conference w/ shared commitment to ensuring students have opportunities to develop skills needed to thrive in workforce. #WorkBasedLearning #CTE #WorkforceDevelopment https://bit.ly/3QwgmBv

Inspiring panel at Aug 1 CO #SaferSchools Initiative mtg: Promising School Safety Practices & Community Partnerships + breakout discussions of how to adapt, replicate & scale. We love the energy & partnering w @PEBCorg to convene #edcolo #schoolsafety
https://youtu.be/aZ76sW4pdOM

Free college? In CO, @GovofCO & Speaker @McCluskieforCO announced launch of #CareerAdvanceColorado w/$38.6m to cover tuition in onstruction, early childhood education, education, forestry, firefighting, law enforcement & nursing. #workforcedevelopment
https://bit.ly/3rxXw2h

Video: CO Safer Schools Initiative (CSSI) mtg: CO Speaker @McCluskieforCO + 2 panels: 1. State of Student + Educator Mental Well-Being & 2. School + District #SchoolSafety priorities. We're honored to partner w/@PEBCorg to convene CSSI's 175+ stakeholders https://youtu.be/aYJj9dyr0Gs

Adding or preserving over 1.3k #affordablehousing units,@COLocalAffairs & @GovofCO Polis announce $48m in 3rd round of Transformational Affordable Housing Grant (TAHG) program https://bit.ly/46J86nj

In rare repeat, #NorthCarolina #1 on @CNBC list of Top States for Biz noting state's success attracting businesses & developing the workforce needed. #workforcedevelopment #economicdevelopment https://bit.ly/3JTETMq