This handbook provides practical materials for public officials, professionals, and citizens who are implementing citizen participation programs in rural areas. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the process of designing and implementing participation programs. Chapter 2 discusses identifying citizen participation needs and necessary resources, developing objectives, using objectives to guide program design, establishing communication and evaluation plans, and setting timetables. Chapter 3 describes techniques to involve participants directly in dialogue and interchange, such as committees, group problem solving, key informants, public meetings, social indicators approach, informal surveys, and the Delphi technique. Chapter 4 deals with one-way communication techniques--posters, newsletters, mailing lists, news media--used to generate interest, create awareness, and stimulate additional participation. An annotated bibliography lists materials on citizen participation and involvement and communication techniques. (LFL)