Chapter 2. Introduction

What to know

Efforts to engage communities require skill sets that leaders may not have previously developed. The nine principles of community engagement will help them create and implement strategies for effective partnerships.

Abstract illustration of a group of people.

Section Overview

The authors established nine principles of community engagement that can assist community engagement practitioners in their work. The principles are informed by the authors' knowledge of the literature, their practice experiences, and the collective experience of their constituencies. Efforts to engage communities require skill sets that leaders may not have previously developed. Each principle offers information to users on how to apply them into action and form effective partnerships. The nine principles are organized in three sections

  • items to consider prior to beginning engagement,
  • what is necessary for engagement to occur, and
  • what to consider for engagement to be successful.