Are There Additional Ways to Engage the Public Without Establishing a FACA Committee?
A report prepared for the National Performance Review offers some other suggestions on how to obtain public participation in review of agency matters. For example, a policy discussion group [or “roundtable”] can be formed to discuss draft proposals, option papers, or specific issues. This allows the formal convening process associated with advisory committees to be avoided. Another option is the use of focus groups when there is a need for quick, anecdotal information about how different approaches to solving a problem would work in practice. Both options involve the solicitation of individual opinions only. Neither of these non-FACA options is appropriate, however, if the goal is to obtain consensus advice. Indeed, when meeting with a number of individuals under these circumstances, you should emphasize that you are seeking only the attendees’ individual views, and the attendees should be discouraged from attempting to reach a consensus, or otherwise making recommendations as a group.
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