Representation and Public Engagement: A Study of the Experience of Non-Profit Leaders as Representatives of the Communities They Serve

Abstract

Public engagement has recently become increasingly important to local governments. Public engagement provides opportunities for relationship development and better informed and supported decision-making and policy development. To create better decisions and more informed policies, governments aim to hear from many populace segments, including underserved and marginalized communities. As part of public engagement, non-profit organizations and non-profit leaders are invited representatives for the clients and communities they serve. This research aimed to examine the role of non-profit leaders' representation. Specifically, the study looked at representation by examining the experiences of leaders of non-profit social service organizations who participate in public engagement in Edmonton, Alberta, on behalf of the clientele they serve. Using a grounded approach, the research develops an understanding of how non-profit leaders comprehend and perform their role as representatives. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with five participants, all leaders in the non-profit sector in Edmonton, Alberta. Three key themes emerged from the interview data: standing in place, giving voice and providing protection. These three themes are further broken into subthemes that help understand how non-profit leaders experience, understand and feel about their role as representatives for marginalized communities in public engagement activities.