This paper explores the question of who should be involved in strategic decisions that affect a school, a cluster of schools, or an entire school district. It discusses the common problems that hamper effective participation: such as workgroups that are too large or too small; selecting the same roster of persons to serve as team members; choosing participants from the top down, rather than from the bottom up; the failure to clarify expected levels of participation; and the tendency to reinvent the wheel. The article recognizes that grassroots involvement can lead to increased public ownership of schools, but such change requires educators to develop attitudes, beliefs, and practical skills that enable them to benefit from their community's increased involvement. The paper lists the eight steps for making participatory design efforts work: (1) define the results you want to achieve; (2) define the system you need to involve for the results you want; (3) form a temporary project-design team; (4) decide whether you want and/or need an outside consultant; (5) create a project-theme statement; (6) identify key participants; (7) recruit a project-management team; and (8) begin an appropriate strategic-planning process. The article gives some examples of participative planning. (RJM)