Once an investigation has been completed and you’re ready to have a formal meeting or hearing about it, it is time to call the stakeholders and their representatives in to discuss the findings.

Ideally, this meeting should allow all parties to be heard and to tell their story and/or take responsibility for their part in the issue at hand. These gatherings should be facilitated by neutral parties to ensure that they remain respectful and productive. Many experienced harm reduction leaders shared stories of participant-involved processes being the fairest and most respected by community members.

Under all circumstances, the person or people whose behavior is the topic of the meeting should have someone with them to represent their interests. This should be someone of their choosing; it may be a staff member or another appropriate outside party. All parties should receive an explanation of the process, any related logistics, and their rights and responsibilities.

Plans for individual restoration, and possibly community restoration, should be developed during or directly after this meeting that supports change and repair, in as much as possible, for all involved. These plans should be specific, clear, and actionable.

All parties should receive written records of what took place, what decisions were made, and what they can do if they are not satisfied with the outcome.