SFMTA’s POETS Outreach Program Receives IAP2 Award

The SFMTA received the International Association of Public Participation’s (IAP2) Organization of the Year Award this month at its Core Values Award ceremony, the most prestigious honor given by IAP2 in North America.

SFMTA Public Outreach and Engagement Manager Deanna Desedas accepted the North American award on the SFMTA’s behalf in Denver for her role in leading the POETS (Public Outreach and Engagement Team Strategy) program.

“Being recognized for our efforts is truly an incredible honor and I’m excited to share it with all of our POETS colleagues that do the hard work they do every day by implementing the practice of good public participation for their projects,” said Desedas. “While there is still much work to be done, this award reflects we are on the right path and making much progress.”

The SFMTA will now compete with other Core Values Award winners from other IAP2 affiliates around the world – including Australia, Indonesia, South Africa and Europe – for the International Federation’s award. The winner of that competition will be announced in October in Melbourne, Australia.

POETS is the SFMTA’s strategy to meet consistent standards for public outreach and engagement for all of its projects, and to create an organizational culture that supports public participation. The effort began with an agency-wide self-assessment process in 2014, followed by the adoption of new standards in 2015 and the development of a training and recognition program in 2016. More than 70 SFMTA staff members have completed a week-long, IAP2-certified course in public participation.