Table 3.

Tips for Supporting Work with CABs

Align missions
Find out early how CAB participation can benefit the CAB members, what are the other missions that can be aligned that motivate all parties to engage?
Review the goals and mission of the project at each meeting to reaffirm objectives.
Establish expectations
Begin with face-to-face meetings to build trust, co-identify project goals and methods of communication and decision making.
Allow time to let stakeholders and investigators understand the mission, their roles.
Add virtual meetings and conference calls to supplement face-to-face meetings.
Do not underestimate the ease of phone communications. Consider getting a toll-free number or free cell phone minutes for calls.
Consider co-leadership or alternate leadership at meetings between an investigator and key stakeholder.
Work out financial compensation details
Discuss with members what amount and method of reimbursement is appropriate.
Consider establishing a small grant/voucher program.
Consider gift cards or other means of compensating participants.
Engage early with groups within your organization/institutions to problem solve any institution specific requirements.
Resolve barriers around how to compensate specific populations such as those under the age of 18, undocumented immigrants, those with criminal backgrounds, or others.
Ensure lack of transportation is not a barrier to participation.
Plan for adequate time to enhance culture change
Establish CAB in the pre-award period if possible to allow for enough time for culture change such that work can commence in earnest when needed.
Multiple meetings may be needed to learn to share decision making power and define roles.
Participants should be flexible and willing to include other stakeholders not initially involved. Think of CAB as an evolving entity rather than static one and understand that often the original CAB members may be replaced overtime due to the dynamic nature of engaged work.
Consider including confidential methods to obtain feedback from CAB members to understand if they indeed feel valued, authentically engaged and have equal power with other members of the research team.
Find a respected leader who reiterates the importance of authentic and equitable stakeholder engagement and shared decision-making power.
Intellectual property issues
Meet with institutional legal advisors early in the process.
Include community stakeholders in intellectual property issues.
Discuss interpretation of data, authorship dissemination plans upfront.

CAB, community advisory board.