Carolyn Lukensmeyer

Last updated

Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer is an American activist who is a leader in the field of deliberative democracy, a public servant and social entrepreneur. She is Executive Director Emerita of The National Institute for Civil Discourse. In 1995, she founded AmericaSpeaks, a non-partisan non-profit organization that strengthens citizen voice in decision making. Carolyn was chief of staff to Governor Celeste of Ohio from 1986 to 1991. She was Consultant to the White House Chief of Staff for nine months during the Clinton years.

Contents

Early life

Lukensmeyer was born on May 13, 1945, in Hampton, Iowa. Lukensmeyer grew up in a four generation family and they instilled in her a strong sense of values, including: a strong ethos of fairness and justice, outrage over injustice, and a belief in standing up for the underdog. From a very young age, Lukensmeyer was interested in learning how systems work. She wanted to know who makes the decisions, who holds the power, and how to keep expanding it.

Career

AmericaSpeaks

Lukensmeyer was the President and Founder of AmericaSpeaks from 1995–2012, a national non-profit whose mission was to link citizen voice with the governance of the nation, and to influence leaders in the nation's capital. After the election of 1994—which was known as the “angry white men” election year—Lukensmeyer was disappointed that women didn’t turn out in the same numbers that they did in 1992. Because only 13,000 total votes changed the majority in Congress in 1994, Lukensmeyer realized that the failure of the system was not because of partisan issues. The system failed because of engagement issues. Lukensmeyer was inspired to organize AmericaSpeaks. AmericaSpeaks works to identify and create new governance mechanisms, and to design citizen engagement processes that combine face-to-face deliberation and electronic technology in order to support democracy. AmericaSpeaks projects have engaged over 200,000 people in over 50 21st Century Town Hall Meetings in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. AmericaSpeaks brings citizens together to deliberate about critical policy issues. The conclusions from these meetings are then brought to decision-makers so that citizen input can directly influence policy.

Neighborhood Action

From December 1999 to July 2000, Lukensmeyer served as the interim Executive Director of Washington DC Mayor Anthony Williams' initiative to engage residents in the public policy process. Lukensmeyer coordinated a strategic planning process with an expansive citizen engagement initiative. Neighborhood Action culminated in an all-day Citizen Summit in November 1999. Three thousand citizens developed shared priorities for the District and their conclusions were directly reflected in the city's Fiscal Year 2001 budget and strategic plan. Neighborhood Action received the project of the year award from the International Association for Public Participation and also a Best Practice Award by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Chief of Staff to Governor Celeste

From December 1986 to January 1991, Lukensmeyer served as Chief of Staff to Governor Richard F. Celeste of Ohio. She was both the first woman to serve in this capacity and, at the time of her appointment, the only Chief of Staff recruited from the professional management field. While serving, Lukensmeyer managed the operations of twenty eight state agencies and over 200 boards and commissions that comprised 55,000 employees and a $23 billion annual budget. Lukensmeyer spearheaded the modernization of the state of Ohio's bureaucracy, which included measures such as: creative approaches to systems design, professional development, human resource and crisis management, and innovative problem solving and communication. She also created the cluster system for cross-agency budget development and seamless delivery systems. Additionally, Lukensmeyer developed performance contracts between Cabinet Officers and the Governor. These contracts were the first of their kind in the United States.

White House Days: 1993–1994

Lukensmeyer served as Consultant to the White House Chief of Staff from November 1993 through June 1994. She ensured that systematic thinking was part of the White House's work on internal management issues and she was also heavily involved in government-wide reform. Lukensmeyer directed the management audit that evaluated the decision-making processes and structures of the White House. After the audit was complete, Lukensmeyer made recommendations for staff changes and redesigning the system between working units. Additionally, Lukensmeyer restructured the Office of the Chief of Staff. Lukensmeyer designed the National Service Corporation, which merged four previously existing agencies, and she facilitated the implementation of the Corporation. Also, Lukensmeyer designed, developed the strategy of, and facilitated the startup of the Council of Chief Financial Officers of the Federal Government. Additionally, Lukensmeyer designed and facilitated several two-day working sessions for the President, Vice President, Cabinet, and key White House staff.

National Performance Review

In March 1993, Vice President Gore appointed Lukensmeyer as the Deputy Director for Management of the National Performance Review. The National Performance Review (NPR), was Vice President Al Gore's reinventing government task force. Lukensmeyer ensured that the Review was on time and under budget and that NPR staff and external stakeholders understood the mission and methods of the NPR. In addition to contributing to the NPR's analysis of training, performance agreements, and community empowerment, Lukensmeyer designed the work processes for cross-cutting teams including information technology, budgeting, and partnerships between state and local governments. Lukensmeyer created committees such as the President's Management Council and the Labor-Management Partnership Council. Lukensmeyer also designed an outreach strategy to involve senior-level federal employees in the reform effort.

Lukensmeyer Associates, Inc.

Lukensmeyer is President of Lukensmeyer Associates, Inc., an organization consulting firm founded in 1974. She established an international reputation in the field of Organizational Development and Management Consulting. Clients range in size from 10 to more than 350,000 employees, representing public and private sectors from five continents. Her consulting projects have centered around areas such as creating partnerships between public and private organizations, education reform, the transformation and revitalization of bureaucratic systems, and planning processes to integrate corporate strategy, structures, and human resources. Lukensmeyer Associates has also developed programs to move women into top management positions. Lukensmeyer has directed several major projects through Lukensmeyer Associates. For example, Lukensmeyer led the team that designed and facilitated the Cleveland Education Summit which was a community-wide effort representing ten stakeholder groups including parents, teachers, students, administrators, elected officials, and corporations. More than 2,000 citizens were involved in the project over its two-year span. At the conclusion of the Summit, Lukensmeyer Associates had produced a strategic plan for Cleveland's Public School Districts. Lukensmeyer Associates also designed and implemented self-managing work teams in the research and development departments of the Polaroid Corporation. Lukensmeyer Associates has also facilitated leadership and management retreats for several areas of the federal government, including: the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Health and Human Services, Immigration and Naturalization Services, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Rail Passenger Service Corporation (Amtrak), and the Office of Public Health and Science. With all of the listed organizations, Lukensmeyer took a lead role in developing a strategic direction for the agency, identifying performance measures, and committing to an implementation schedule with deadlines and milestones.

Americans Discuss Social Security

From 1997 to 1999, Lukensmeyer was the executive director of Americans Discuss Social Security (ADSS), a $12.5 million project of The Pew Charitable Trusts. [1] Americans Discuss Social Security's mission was to engage American citizens from all different demographic groups and backgrounds in a national debate about the future of Social Security. The conclusions from ADSS would provide policy-makers in Congress with a framework for resolving the issue. From October 1997 to June 1998, community forums were held in twenty five states. ADSS engaged and informed more than 45,000 Americans who reflected the country's population with respect to age, income, gender, rural or urban residence, and ethno-racial background.

Education

During her undergraduate education at The University of Iowa, Lukensmeyer organized meetings between faculty and students to bring back order to the university during the turbulent times of the 1960s. In 1967, Lukensmeyer was one of only three women admitted to Harvard Law School; she decided she would not attend law school and instead opted to enter the field of organizational behavior. Lukensmeyer has a doctorate in organizational behavior from Case Western Reserve University and post-graduate training at the internationally known Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. [2] After finishing her post-doctoral work at the Gestalt Institute, Lukensmeyer helped establish the Institute as a world-class training facility in the application of Gestalt theory and methodology. She created the first Gestalt post-graduate training program related to organizations and institutions. Additionally, Lukensmeyer has enhanced the curricula of law schools, liberal arts schools, postgraduate training institutes, and corporate development programs.

Professional associations

Awards

Publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States National Security Council</span> U.S. federal executive national security and intelligence forum

The United States National Security Council (NSC) is the principal forum used by the president of the United States for consideration of national security, military, and foreign policy matters. Based in the White House, it is part of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, and composed of senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials.

Participatory democracy, participant democracy or participative democracy is a form of government in which citizens participate individually and directly in political decisions and policies that affect their lives, rather than through elected representatives. Elements of direct and representative democracy are combined in this model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Civic League</span>

The National Civic League is an American nonpartisan, non-profit organization founded in 1894 as the "National Municipal League," it adopted its new name in 1937. Its mission is to advance civic engagement to create equitable, thriving communities. To upgrade quality and efficiency of government in cities it enlists the business and professional classes, and promotes greater involvement in government. It also sought create merit-based systems for selecting public officials. The League envisions a country where the full diversity of community members are actively and meaningfully engaged in local governance, including both decision making and implementation of activities to advance the common good. It also promotes professional management of local government through publication of "model charters" for both city and county governments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public participation (decision making)</span> Extent to which societies encourage the people to share in organizational decision-making

Citizen participation or public participation in social science refers to different mechanisms for the public to express opinions—and ideally exert influence—regarding political, economic, management or other social decisions. Participatory decision-making can take place along any realm of human social activity, including economic, political, management, cultural or familial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E-democracy</span> Use of information and communication technology in political and governance processes

E-democracy, also known as digital democracy or Internet democracy, uses information and communication technology (ICT) in political and governance processes. The term is credited to digital activist Steven Clit. By using 21st-century ICT, e-democracy seeks to enhance democracy, including aspects like civic technology and E-government. Proponents argue that by promoting transparency in decision-making processes, e-democracy can empower all citizens to observe and understand the proceedings. Also, if they possess overlooked data, perspectives, or opinions, they can contribute meaningfully. This contribution extends beyond mere informal disconnected debate; it facilitates citizen engagement in the proposal, development, and actual creation of a country's laws. In this way, e-democracy has the potential to incorporate crowdsourced analysis more directly into the policy-making process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Participatory budgeting</span>

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a type of citizen sourcing in which ordinary people decide how to allocate part of a municipal or public budget through a process of democratic deliberation and decision-making. Participatory budgeting allows citizens or residents of a locality to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending projects, and gives them the power to make real decisions about how money is spent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Pakistan</span> National authority of Pakistan

The Government of Pakistan, constitutionally known as the Federal Government, commonly known as the Centre, is the national authority of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a federal parliamentary republic consisting of four provinces, two autonomous territories and one federal territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National League of Cities</span> Advocacy organisation in United States

The National League of Cities (NLC) is an advocacy organization in the United States that represents the country's 19,495 cities, towns, and villages along with 49 state municipal leagues. Created in 1924, it has evolved into a leading membership organization providing education, research, support, and advocacy to city leaders across America. Based in Washington, D.C., it is considered part of the 'Big Seven', a group of organizations that represent local and state government in the United States. The NLC provides training and other resources to municipal officials, holds conferences, and advocates to the federal government on behalf of cities, towns and villages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civic engagement</span> Individual or group activity addressing issues of public concern

Civic engagement or civic participation is any individual or group activity addressing issues of public concern. Civic engagement includes communities working together or individuals working alone in both political and non-political actions to protect public values or make a change in a community. The goal of civic engagement is to address public concerns and promote the quality of the community.

Public participation, also known as citizen participation or patient and public involvement, is the inclusion of the public in the activities of any organization or project. Public participation is similar to but more inclusive than stakeholder engagement.

Public engagement or public participation is a term that has recently been used to describe "the practice of involving members of the public in the agenda-setting, decision-making, and policy-forming activities of organizations/institutions responsible for policy development." It is focused on the participatory actions of the public to aid in policy making based in their values.

AmericaSpeaks was a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization from 1995-2014 whose mission was to "engage citizens in the public decisions that impact their lives." AmericaSpeaks' work was focused on trying to create opportunities for citizens to impact decisions and to encourage public officials to make better informed, lasting decisions. AmericaSpeaks has developed and facilitated deliberative methods such as the 21st Century Town Hall Meeting, which enables facilitated discussion for groups of 500 participants or larger. Carolyn Lukensmeyer was the President and Founder of AmericaSpeaks. Partners of the organization have included regional planning groups, governmental bodies of varying size and scope, and organizations from across the globe. Issues discussed by AmericaSpeaks have ranged from Social Security reform, to the redevelopment of ground zero in New York City and rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricaine Katrina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public consultation</span> Process to get public input

Public consultation, public comment, or simply consultation, is a process by which members of the public are asked for input on public issues. This can occur in public meetings open to all in written form, as well as in deliberative groups. Surveys and deliberative groups can be conducted with self-selected citizens or with statistically representative samples of the population which enables the identification of majority opinion. Its main goals are to improve public involvement and influence, as well as the transparency and efficiency of government projects, laws, or regulations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda M. Springer</span> American government official

Linda M. Springer served as the eighth Director of the United States Office of Personnel Management. She was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in June 2005. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Springer served as controller and head of the Office of Federal Financial Management at the White House Office of Management and Budget. She previously worked for 25 years as an executive and actuary in the insurance and financial services industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian International Council</span> Canadian think tank on foreign relations

The Canadian International Council is a Canadian think tank on foreign relations. It is an independent, member-based council established to strengthen Canada's role in international affairs. Its goal is to advance debate on international issues across academic disciplines, policy areas, and economic sectors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle East Partnership Initiative</span>

The U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is a United States State Department program that fosters meaningful and effective partnerships between citizens, civil society, the private sector, and governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to resolve local challenges and promote shared interests in the areas of participatory governance and economic opportunity and reform.

Inclusive management is a pattern of practices by public managers that facilitate the inclusion of public employees, experts, the public, and politicians in collaboratively addressing public problems or concerns of public interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gombojavyn Zandanshatar</span> Mongolian politician

Gombojav Zandanshatar is a Mongolian politician. He is a member of the Mongolian People's Party, and has served as Party General Secretary in 2012-2013.

Archon Fung, is the Winthrop Laflin McCormack Professor of Citizenship and Democracy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and co-founder of the Transparency Policy Project. Fung served as an assistant professor of public policy at the Kennedy School from July 1999–June 2004, then as an associate professor of public policy at the Kennedy School from July 2004–October 2007, and finally as a professor of public policy from October 2007–March 2009 before being named as the Ford Foundation Chair of Democracy and Citizenship in March 2009. In 2015, he was elected to the Common Cause National Governing Board.

Oral democracy is a talk-based form of government and political system in which citizens of a determined community have the opportunity to deliberate, through direct oral engagement and mass participation, in the civic and political matters of their community. Additionally, oral democracy represents a form of direct democracy, which has the purpose of empowering citizens by creating open spaces that promote an organized process of discussion, debate, and dialogue that aims to reach consensus and to impact policy decision-making. Political institutions based on this idea of direct democracy seek to decrease the possibilities of state capture from elites by holding them accountable, to encourage civic participation and collective action, and to improve the efficiency and adaptability of development interventions and public policy implementation.

References

  1. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer
  2. Biographies of Participants Archived July 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Incorporated, Prime. "National Academy of Public Administration". National Academy of Public Administration. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  4. :: Deliberative Democracy Consortium ::
  5. People and Leadership - The International Freedom Center Archived March 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Organization Development Network
  7. EWG Advancing Archived February 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine