Cooperative Extension's Role in Public Policy and Community Decision-Making Agri-Energy Extension In-service, November

1. Cooperative Extension's Role in Public Policy and Community Decision-MakingAgri-Energy Extension In-service, November 16, 2007 Tim Kelsey, State Program Leader, Economic & Community Development Walt Whitmer, Extension Associate, Economic and Community Development

2. Objectives • The Public and Community Decision-Making Environment • Deciding When and How to Get Involved

3. Energy Issues Often Have Public or Community Implications • Consequences of individual or group action go beyond those directly involved (one group’s benefit can be at the cost of another group) • Groups or individuals we work with may try to influence outcomes • There are likely to be a number of complex and interrelated choices • Differing values and viewpoints can often lead to polarization

4. The Key to Our Success is… Remaining Neutral • Relies upon our research-based strengths, and is true to our educational mission • Demonstrates that Cooperative Extension serves everyone, not just selected groups • Builds our credibility, so we’re sought out to help with future public issues

5. While Still Meeting The Goals of: • Improving decision-making by providing objective information • Facilitating shared learning and discussion • Allowing people to make up their own minds • Building the capacity for groups and individuals to make better decisions in the future

6. A Wide Range of Educational Opportunities • Work independently from special interest groups - provide expertise equitably to all interests and group • Help residents differentiate between “facts” and “myths” and “values” • Help people accurately assess which facts are relevant to the issue and the causes behind each

7. A Wide Range of Educational Opportunities • Help citizens understand thevalue differences which may divide opinions about the issue • Help people understand the alternatives and consequences and implications of the various choices before them

8. A Wide Range of Educational Opportunities • Help decision-makers identify all stakeholders and how their participation can be enhanced • Ensure that everyone affected by the issue knows how they can participate in the decision-making

9. Extension Professional Can Play Different Roles • Networkeridentifying & linking people • Convenorbrings people together to address the issue • Program Designer develops a long run educational program & action steps to implement the program • Diplomat moves tactfully between stakeholders • Forecaster analyzes emerging issues Smutko, et al. “Public Issues Education”

10. Extension Professionals Can Play Different Roles • Facilitatorguides a group through discussions addressing the issue • Trainer uses formal instruction to help citizens understand public issues & how to work effectively with others • Information provider/resource broker gathers, shares & interprets research-based knowledge and other information • Researcherconducts objective scientific analysis & how the results apply to public issues Smutko, et al. “Public Issues Education”

11. Which Role(s) You Choose Will Depend on.. • Your comfort level • The needs of the community • The issue • The level of conflict surrounding the issue • The stage of the educational process • The opportunity for education making a difference You may play several different roles at different times

12. There are times we should NOT be involved in public issues • When stakeholders are so polarized they are unwilling to discuss or learn • When the political and legal risks of involvement are too great • When there is no clear mission-driven role for Cooperative Extension • When the Extension professional is perceived to have a stake in the outcome • When the Extension professional has a strong personal viewpoint that prevents neutrality Adapted from: Smutko, et al. “Public Issues Education”