Engagement Process | MN Board of Water, Soil Resources

BWSR's Strategic Plan was developed using a transparent, participatory engagement process.

Process

Participatory process

From April 2023 through March 2024 BWSR used an inclusive, participatory strategic planning process involving BWSR staff and board members along with partners around the state to create an updated Strategic Plan Framework..

Performance assessment, April-May 2023: Assessed performance against the current strategic plan and shared results.
Engagement round 1, May-August 2023: Gathered input from over 200 staff, BWSR board members, and key partners through virtual and in-person engagements and an online survey. A
Analyzed and used feedback to shape subsequent planning. Analysis of Round 1 input (pdf).
Analyses and planning, October-November 2023: BWSR board members, staff, and key partners participated in a comprehensive SWOT analysis. Used Round 1 and SWOT results to inform two in-person workshops with board members and staff leadership to draft a new vision, mission statement, long-term goals, and mid-term strategies. BWSR Mission/Vision Workshop results (pdf).
Engagement round 2, December 2024: Gathered feedback on draft vision, mission, goals, and strategies from over 100 board members, staff, and key partners. Used feedback to further refine results and shape action planning.
Final Comment period, Jan 29-Feb 29 2024: BWSR opened a 30 day comment period on the draft vision, mission, goals and key strategies prior to board review and action in March.
Approval of Framework: The BWSR Board approved the final 2024 Strategic Plan Framework at the March 2024 BWSR Board meeting
Final (working) plan and implementation, March-June 2024: Following board approval of the long-term vision, mission, goals, and key strategies, BWSR will develop detailed actions along with processes to monitor, evaluate, report out, and routinely refine the plan.

Engagement Values

Partner engagement is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process. It includes the promise that partner contributions will influence the decision.

Promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and communicating the needs and interests of all participants, including decision-makers.
Seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision.
Seeks input from participants in designing how they participate.
Provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.
Communicates to participants how their input affected the decision.

© Adapted from the International Association for Public Participation, https://www.iap2.org/page/pillars

Engagement Code of Ethics

Purpose. We support public participation as a process to make better decisions that incorporate the interests and concerns of all affected partners and meet the needs of the decision-making body.
Role of Practitioner. We will enhance the public's participation in the decision-making process and assist decision-makers in being responsive to the public's concerns and suggestions.
Trust. We will undertake and encourage actions that build trust and credibility for the process among all the participants.
Defining the Public’s Role. We will carefully consider and accurately portray the public's role in the decision-making process.
Openness. We will encourage the disclosure of all information relevant to the public's understanding and evaluation of a decision.
Access to the Process. We will ensure that stakeholders and rights holders have fair and equitable access to the public participation process and the opportunity to influence decisions.
Respect for Communities. We will avoid strategies that risk polarizing community interests or that appear to "divide and conquer."
Advocacy. We will advocate for the public participation process and will not advocate for interest, party, or project outcome.
Commitments. We ensure that all commitments made to the public, including those by the decision-maker, are made in good faith.
Support of the Practice. We will guide and mentor new practitioners, decision-makers, and the public about the value and use of public participation.

© Adapted from the International Association for Public Participation, https://www.iap2.org/page/pillars

Engagement Objectives

Gather input from across the state and from the full spectrum of key partners.
Understand issues critical to all key partners and BWSR.
Center equity throughout this strategic planning process.
Provide context by sharing essential information about BWSR’s work.
Strengthen and build positive relationships, trust, and connections with key stakeholders and rights holders to build common understanding.
Ensure that participants perceive the process as inclusive, open-minded, and valuable.
Build trust in the strategic planning process and, as a result, in how it will be used to shape long-term decisions.

Level of Engagement

BWSR is committed to involving key partners in this strategic planning process, per the engagement goal and promise below:

Involve

Engagement Goal: To work directly with key partners throughout the process to ensure that their issues and perspectives are consistently understood and considered.

Our Promise: We will ensure that key partners' issues and perspectives help shape our strategic plan, and provide feedback on how that input influenced our decisions.

We will be updating this page throughout the process, so please check back regularly for up-to-date information.

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