About the Webinar

Understanding your community begins with asking the right questions and turning the answers into meaningful engagement. In local government, well-designed surveys can equip leaders, engagement committees, and advisory panels with the insight they need to guide decisions, elevate communication, and strengthen public trust.

This session brings together four experts who collaborated on an award-winning community survey that informed strategy and supported a more engaged, better-prepared citizen process in the City of Yorba Linda. Richard Bernard of FM3 Research, a leading expert in survey design and analysis, will discuss how to structure effective survey instruments and ensure data validity. Ryder Todd Smith of Tripepi Smith will share how to translate survey findings into clear, actionable communication strategies that support both leadership and citizen engagement bodies. Allison Estes, Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Yorba Linda, and Nate Farnsworth, Community Development Director for the City of Yorba Linda, will offer the agency perspective — highlighting how survey results helped guide decision-making, empower committees, and strengthen community relationships.

Inclusive public engagement is a cornerstone of ILG’s work and expertise. We will guide the panel’s conversation and share our experience and expertise in community engagement as we explore effective engagement methods, modern tools, interpretation techniques, and ways to use community input to inform decisions, strengthen relationships, and demonstrate accountability. Attendees will gain practical strategies for engaging residents and community stakeholders, from collecting meaningful feedback to turning insights into action.

Speakers

• Ryder Todd Smith – President & CEO, Tripepi Smith
• Richard Bernard – Partner, FM3 Research
• Nate Farnsworth – Community Development Director, City of Yorba Linda
• Allison Estes – Assistant to the City Manager, City of Yorba Linda

Conversation moderated by the Institute for Local Government

Registration