Understanding Local Government Cultures: Practical Partnering for Civic Engagement Local government plays a central role in many dialogue and deliberation projects, as host, client or essential ally. Yet, officials may have mixed results from past public engagement experiences, skeptical colleagues, political constraints, limited staff and budgets, and higher priority responsibilities. How can we understand their realities and be more effective partners in what’s often a change management process?Findings from candid interviews with local officials.