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Livable Streets Advocacy Training. Robert Johnson. Our Mission. The unified voice for active living, promoting a healthy, safe and accessible outdoor experience for all in a vibrant, engaged community. . What is an Advocate?. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Robert Johnson
Livable Streets Advocacy Training
The unified voice for active living, promoting a healthy, safe and accessible outdoor experience for all in a vibrant, engaged community.
Our Mission
What is an Advocate? Someone who pleads the cause of
another; who defends or maintains a cause or proposal; or who supports or promotes the interests of another.
What is an Campaign? A connected series of operations
designed to bring about a particular result
Do You Want to Campaign?
We do Not Need to Be Negative
We do Not Need to Be Negative
People are ready for this change
We do Not Need to Be Negative
We do Not Need to Be Negative
People are ready for this change
They just need to know about it
People are ready for this change
We do Not Need to Be Negative
Complete Street (Before)
1.2 million are under the age of 16
756,000 are over the age of 65
378,000 between 16-65 have at least one physical disability
40% of all Missourians
Millions of Missourians Cannot Drive
1.2 million are under the age of 16
756,000 are over the age of 65
378,000 between 16-65 have at least one physical disability
40% of all Missourians
Millions of Missourians Cannot Drive
Does the Status Quo work for them?
The citizens of the United States sent 32.6 billion dollars of their wealth overseas on foreign oil
Finances
The citizens of the United States sent 32.6 billion dollars of their wealth overseas on foreign oil
In January 2011
Finances
Today’s children may be the first to not outlive their parents
Health
Health & Finances
No sidewalks
No connections around school
Complete Street (Before)
Complete Street (After)
General Strategies for
Effective Advocacy
Be an Informed Citizen
How transportation policies affect lives Communicate policies to elected officials Most of what you need to know can be
found in the Advocacy Manual given to you today
Join an Advocacy Organization
Local: BikeWalkKC State: KanBikeWalk and MoBikeFed National: League of American Bicyclists Funds Email alerts
Educate Others Ask what Livable Streets means to them
Slightly tweak Handle objections
Facilitate Effective Meetings Pick a time and place that is appropriate
for the group Build a strong agenda Ensure good facilitation
Understand and Change Perspectives
You are here: You are likely not “normal!”
Perspectives; Ask Questions If you did decide to walk or bicycle…… What about Federal, State and local
policy…..
Set Reasonable Goals and Compromise Users and infrastructure at the same
time Baby steps
Be Completely Credible Appearance Positive & visionary Follow up
Complete Streets Is Not A Partisan Issue
So Do Not Make It One
Non-partisan Identify the qualities of Livable Streets
that appeal to the two main parties.
Steps to Building a Successful Campaign
Is Your Campaign the Right Fit? Has reasonable prospects for victory Results in definite community
improvement Engages important groups of people Fits your organization or neighborhood’s
mission, culture and resources Leverages positive media
Step 1: Define Your Issue Identify the problem Formulate a solution Illustrate how to implement the solution List people who care about what’s at
stake for them These are your stakeholders.
Formulate your Quick Pitch
Step 2: Set Your Campaign Goals Goals should represent the social changes
you wish to see The long term goal should be be the overall
goal of the campaign Short and medium-term goals are steps
toward the overall goal Short and medium goals can be small It is very important that your neighborhood
or organization goals support the campaign
Step 3: Assess Your Resources: SWOT List your strengths
E.g. Strong fundraising ability List your weaknesses
E.g. No membership structure Opportunities
E.g. Safe Routes to School Funding Threats
E.g. Community detractors, NIMBYs
Step 4: Strategize:Who has the power to make the change you seek?
Primary Targets Specific people Not simply “city council or MoDOT” Who can apply for that grant; who must support
your effort? Secondary Targets
People who have influence over the primary targets Public Targets
Geographic: Neighborhoods, street corridors, schools, business districts
Constituencies: Soccer moms, citizens of low wealth
Obtain Stakeholders Commitments
Ask the important questions Wait for an answer
Reach out to Stakeholders Prioritize based upon the effectiveness of
communication. Face to face Telephone conversation Email
Identify a Champion
Strategy:Who has the power to make the change you seek?
Create a Power Map
Crosswalk on B St.
Primary Targets
Secondary Targets
Connections to all targets
Step 5: Communicate
Brainstorm ways to use social media Compose a personal story Write a letter to the editor Write your stair speech
Hook Problem Solution Specific actions Slogan
Communicate: Media Tactics
Press Release Op-ed Pitch your story to news outlets Local radio or TV shows Public Service Announcements Editorials or Columnists
Step 6: Tactics and Timelines
Draft a tactic (to-do list) Give it a deadline Identify the lead person
E.g. Identify allies in neighborhood: Your Stakeholders
May 15, 2011 Neighborhood Association President
Tactic Date Lead Person
Step 7: Manage Your Resources
Large campaigns can cost money Your campaign may not require much money It is important to consider what your
expenses may be Personnel Professional Expenses Printing, materials, mailing
Seek in-kind support from stakeholders Outline possible income the campaign can
generate
Speaking at Public Meetings
Research Protocol Length of speaking time? Are you allowed to use media? Distribute documents?
Coordinate Stakeholders Plan talking points Plan for potential arguments Respect the stakeholders efforts
Questions and Answers
Step 1: Define Your Issue Identify the problem (e.g. Crossing B Street is
unsafe) Formulate a solution (e.g. B St. needs a crosswalk) Illustrate how to implement the solution (e.g. city
should fund crosswalk and pedestrian signal) List people who care about what’s at stake for
them (e.g. families, neighbors, disabled, runners, etc.). These are your stakeholders.
Quick Pitch:Put these four elements together in sentence or two
that can be recited quickly.