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Learn effective strategies and essential components for encouraging positive public participation in governance. Join upcoming training webinars and classroom sessions.
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Encouraging Positive Public InvolvementJune 26, 2013 Call in number: 1-800-309-2350 Pass Code: 2369526#
Your Cooperation is Needed Please mute your phone *6 To ask questions and open your line *6 This will help all of our friends!
PSAB’s Blended Training • Webinars • Traditional Classroom Sessions • One-on-One Assistance
Upcoming Training Webinars The Workers & Community Right to Know Act June 27 Workplace Harassment July 10 Tort Liability July 11 COSTARS* July 17 Accessibility for All – Larson Design Group* July 18 * Free to PSAB members
Upcoming Classroom Training The Course in Community Planning The Course in Zoning The Course in Subdivision & Land Development Review Municipal Officials Training & Update The Course in Zoning Administration Basic Municipal Budgeting Confined Space Training Police Civil Service 2013 Pennsylvania Municipal Legal Update Conference August 13 & 14, 2013 www.classes.boroughs.org/
Effective Public Involvementa Tool for Successful Governance Elected officials and business leaders recognize that earning support for controversial initiatives can be the difference between successful implementation and loss of their job.
Gil Longwell County Planner Township Community Development Director PSATS Special Projects Director Local Government Trainer Public Speaker Chem Nuclear Local Government Involvement Manager Consultant
Pennsylvania State Associationof Boroughs 102 years of service to Pennsylvania’s Boroughs Borough Officials and their citizens.
Sewage Management Ordinance Sewer Line Extension Mandatory Sewer Hook-up Establish/Abolish Local Police Bill filed to repeal Florida septic tank inspection law
The citizen[s] were outraged .... "It is simply beyond the pale that the DCNR would withhold this information during the public comment period and only release it after a decision had been made…"
May 7, 2013 . . . SEC charges Harrisburg with securities fraud. The Mayor and the SEC announce a settlement…made in secret…during the investigation. Mayor escapes penalty – promises to fraud no more.
Our Goals – We Will Define Public Policy Issues Define Public Involvement Explain the Public Involvement Process Link: Ignorance – Fear – Opposition Identify & Pick Up Rocks Examine A Case Study Recap Media Relations
Public Policy Addresses a “Public” Purpose or Benefit To Achieve What Individuals Cannot Great Cost Broad Scope “Horsepower” a/k/a Clout “Trickle-Down” – The Parental Role
What is Public Involvement? It Is A PROCESS PI Starts – When? PI Stops – When? Project Specific Community Specific Dynamic – Adjustable
What Public Involvement Is NOT One Way Talking Heads One Size Fits All Nonnegotiable Announce & Defend Training
PI – The Process Project Analysis – “Rocks” – - What Are They??? What Do You Present?? How Do You Present It??? What Is “Dressing the Set”???
PI – The Process ANALYSIS – Understanding Project At Hand How to Understand Points of Controversy?
PI – The Process ANALYSIS Understanding Project At Hand Understanding Points of Controversy Listen to “Rumblings” IN ADVANCE Listening @ the meeting can be too late
PI – The Process Listening Identifies “Rocks” Pointed Questions – Legitimate & Otherwise Fears– Real and Imagined Rock Removal Strategies Answer Before It Is Asked Crafting the Venue Leave Some Rocks Behind
What does this mean? Use pictures and handouts to convey information PI – The Process Craft Your Message What You’ll Say How You’ll Say It Must It Be Said?? vs. Must You Say It?? Where It Is Said Who (& How) It Will be Said
PI – The Players Who Are The Players? Elected/Appointed Officials Landowners & Residents Business Community Special Interests – Formal Special Interests - Other Nimby, Nope, Nimtoo The Purposefully Absent The Media
The Agenda Controls the Flow Legitimate Owner = Convener Multiple Agenda’s = Yes! Competing Agenda’s = Yes
THE UNKNOWN IGNORANCE ≠ stupidity FEAR of the Unknown = FEAR of Change FEAT TRIGGERS OPPOSITION KNOWLEDGE ERASES IGNORANCE KNOWLEDGE EASES FEAR Absence of Fear ≠ Support
The • The Semmelweis Reflex is the action of dismissing or rejecting out of hand any information, automatically and without thought, inspection, or experiment. SEMMELWEIS REFLEX
Public Policy Many Sources Create PP “Higher” Level of Government The Citizenry – The Governed The Governing Body – YOU “Resistance Is (often) Futile” - Seven-of-Nine
Public Policy “Resistance Is – always often usually – Futile” Many Sources Create PP “Higher” Level of Government The Citizenry (the Governed) The Governing Body - YOU!! - Seven-of-Nine
Essential Components of PI Honest Forthright Clear Articulate NO WEASEL WORDS Things get ugly whey you try to be cute
Vocablurry If you must explain the word do not use it. Use Common Words Avoid Jargon - Code Words - Acronyms Examples??? WHAT IS A STRINGER??? This is an informative, insightful, aspedestic presentation!
Vocablurry SIMPLE WORDS WORK BEST DIMINISH CHANCE FOR MISUNDERSTANDING AVOID WORDS/PHRASES WITH DOUBLE MEANINGS LISTEN TO YOURSELF
LEGITIMATE EXPECTATIONS Fair & Balanced Informative Accurate NEVER EVER EVER JUDGEMENTAL
Different Opportunities/Hurdles Print Radio Television
UNIVERSAL TRUTH NOTHING IS EVER OFF THE RECORD
Become Proactive Media Relations Plan Implement Before Crisis Event Introductions & Validation Become Their Subject-Matter Expert Periodic Contact
Your Secret Life Line “I don’t know. I will find out and have the answer by (time) on (date).
A Case Study The land of the Self-Proclaimed Self-Important
1 TopicMany PublicsMany Positions & Agendas • Landowners • Service Providers • Local Officials – • Elected • Appointed • Regulators • Treatment Plants Focus Groups Identify Issues Newsletters pick up rocks
Venue For Policy SettingWho Owns/Defends the Plan?Venue for Public Meeting Stage Dressing
MYTHS Facts All are affected equally You pick inspector & pumper No government personnel on your property Property values preserved Cheaper than sewers Soils determine repair strategy Everyone gets a sandmound Every property will be sewered This will cost ME!!! thousands Each Year
“Gauntlet of Truth” Managing the environment w/ flow & choke points.
Advanced Submittal • Any Topic • Post on Wall Structured Submittal Structured Response • Posted First • Only On-Subject answered • Count Down
100% compliance • 0 Prosecutions • Finding & Fixing Problems • System History Archive • DEP Satisfied!!! • Elected Officials Reelected! Measuring Success
Is a Process • Is MULTI-Directional • Deals with a Variety of Publics • Must be Flexible • Must be Self-Evaluating • Is a Tool for Public Policy Attainment • IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS • Does Not Guarantee Success Recap Public Involvement
Seven Words of DOOM Your Secret Life Line (Words of GOLD) Did we meet all your goals? Recap
THANK YOU! Recap