IAP2's Understanding People and Communities - Hosted by Cassie Hemphill

IAP2's Understanding People and Communities 

**Fundamentals of Public Participation is the prerequisites for this course

Develop insights into people and communities to create public participation and engagement processes that center diverse voices and perspectives.

Please note: Because this course builds on the core principles and frameworks introduced in Fundamentals of Public Participation and Engagement, completion of that course is required.

Price: $325

IAP2 Members: $275 (contact us for the member discount code)

Course Dates:

• April 15-16, 2026

Class Hours

All classes meet online from 12:00-2:00 pm ET and 3:00-5:00 pm ET, with a 1-hour break between sessions each day.

By the end of Understanding People and Communities, you will have the awareness and skills to develop a holistic and deep understanding of the people and communities involved in public participation processes.

Discover and apply deep understanding and insights into the people and communities involved in public participation processes, to make the processes more meaningful and effective. This Level 1 course provides an introduction to working with diversity, equity and inclusion in P2/engagement.

Course objectives

• Identify and apply an approach for understanding people and communities for P2/engagement processes
• Reflect on factors of cultural competence and cultural humility, and assess your practice and approach against the factors to identify areas of strength and growth
• Apply a variety of analysis and mapping tools to understand diversity and map values
• Identify ways to increase access and centre equity by reducing barriers to participation
• Reflect on how to build rapport, trust and relationships with people and communities, and apply and assess approaches in a P2/engagement scenario
• Assess and apply knowledge to planning and implementation of meaningful and effective P2/engagement across the Practice Framework.

Tech Needed for the Course

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Accessibility Policy

This is an IAP2 core training course delivered externally by an IAP2 licensed trainer. MUST REGISTER ON TRAINERS WEBSITE!

Click Here to Register on trainers website! 

Trainer: Cassie Hemphill 

Cassie Hemphill has more than 25 years of experience in designing and leading public participation and engagement processes and projects. Her work has included environmental and natural resource management, healthcare delivery, education, and community-based human services. She has been creating and delivering remote and in-person training experiences for professionals and community members for more than 15 years.

Cassie has been involved with IAP2 since 2003. She helped create IAP2 USA’s Professional Certification program, assisted with updates and development of IAP2’s course materials, and has served on the USA and Intermountain Chapter boards. She currently serves as an IAP2 Licensing Programme Mentor, preparing candidates from around the world to become IAP2 Licensed Trainers.

Cassie’s Ph.D. research explored public/private collaboration in environmental management. Her M.A. research analyzed decision-makers' openness to public input. She has a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution and is an IAP2 USA Certified Public Participation Practitioner (CP3), a Certified Mediator (CM), and a Certified Virtual Facilitator (CVF).