kurt eggebrecht appleton health department. advocate for policy change to better your...
TRANSCRIPT
AdvocacyKurt Eggebrecht
Appleton Health Department
Advocate for policy change to better your community's health
How to influence policy from a proactive vs. reactive perspective
Compare different advocacy/education strategies
How not to get fired
Three Key Questions
What do you want?
Why do you want it?
Who has the power to give it too you?
Three case scenarios
Outdoor Wood Boilers
100 % Smoke Free Indoor Air
Backyard Chickens
How are local ordinances' drafted?
Elected officials submit a resolution
Staff recommended (often based on updates)
Most often a combination…resolution with direction for staff to draft language
Advocacy/Education StrategiesKnow your elected officials- nurture your
relationships-Who are informal leaders within the elected body?-Why do they serve?-Who influences them?-What are their pet areas of interest?-Who is up for election?-Where do they work? -Where did they grow up? -Others?
Advocacy/Education strategiesPick your battles wisely
Find appropriate meeting location
Clearly articulate /Create the need and desired outcome
Identify and communicate the potential barriers to success
Wood Boiler
Wood Boiler
HistoryCommunity Assessment
Three key questionsNeeded to act quickly as
vendors were setting up shop
Experience in MenashaOne company already
using this heat sourceNot much experience or
research
What do I want?…ban from using in the City
Why do I want it?....... Clean air , asthma rates in children, prevent neighborhood disputes
Who has the power to give it to me?....Common Council by passing local ordinance
Education StrategyCommon Council Support
Risks?Identify championSet up meeting and provide
written documentation to support your “Why” , “How”, and what are the perceived barriers? Where would you begin?
Suggest resolution wording to include language should be drafted by Health Officer/Health Department
What if you pick non-supporter?
Strength of those apposed to action
Wood Boiler AdvocacyResult Reinforcement
OpportunitiesWorked into existing
Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance resulting in Fire Chief support ( key influencer)
Past unanimouslyMinimized vendor push
back by proactively passing quickly
Later Studies and newspaper articles from other communities
Local Alderperson newsletter/brochures
Questions?
100 % Smoke Free Indoor Air
HistoryCommunity Assessment
Three key questionsOrganized a local
tobacco control coalition in 2000
Experience success with low hanging fruit…cars/buildings/youth access/cessation opportunities/
Other parts of the Country have implemented
What do I want?…clean indoor air in the City
Why do I want it?....... Chronic disease, asthma rates in children, increase revenues
Who has the power to give it to me?....Common Council by passing local ordinance
Education StrategyCommon Council Support
Risks?Identify championSet up meeting and provide
written documentation to support your “Why” , “How”, and what are the perceived barriers? Where would you begin?
Suggest resolution wording to include language should be drafted by Health Officer/Health Department
What if you pick non-supporter?
Strength of those apposed to action
100 % Smoke Free Indoor AirResultWell written ordinance
without loopholesResulted in tie vote on
Council floor after months of debate
Created a great deal of community discussion and divisiveness
Media split - biased coverage
Coalition strainedDirect legislation
alternative provided opportunity for majority to have a voice
Battle got personalNew alliances were
formedSophistication of
resources brought to the effort
Reinforcement Opportunities
New establishment wait list
Hospitality workers survey
# of closed establishments compared to surrounding communities
After third referendum Elected officials speak publically in support
Articles related to successful implementation counters misinformation from TLW
5 years later State passes Smoke Free Indoor Air
Questions?
Backyard Chickens
HistoryCommunity Assessment
Three key questionsOrganized a local
backyard chicken group called “PEEPS”
Experienced success with Council member support
Sustainability and Green Issues a priority for Mayor’s Office
Just passed a contentious Bee Keeper Ordinance
What do I want?…everyone to get along
Why do I want it? Sustainable Food Source.....yet this will be a staff time sucker ( animal control, CD, licensing )
Who has the power to give it to me?....Common Council by passing local ordinance
Common Predators in Appleton
Common Predators in Appleton
Education StrategyCommon Council Support
Risks?Recently elected Council
Members very supportive Set up meeting and provide
written documentation to support your “Why” , “How”, and what are the perceived barriers? Where would you begin?
Suggest resolution wording to include language should be drafted by Health Officer/Health Department
What if you work against your staff’s concerns?
Strength of those for and apposed to action
How will Media judge you short term and long term?
Backyard ChickensResultWell written ordinance with a
requirement of neighborhood consent.
Resulted in defeat vote on Council floor after months of debate and deletion of neighborhood consent
Created a great deal of community discussion and some divisiveness on Council
Media split - biased coverage
By Council rules… one year before issue can be discussed
Reinforcement Opportunities
Educate Board of Health and Common Council on CD resulting from handling backyard chickens
Continue to nurture relationship with PEEPS group
Questions?
Advocate for policy change to better your community's health Three Key QuestionsWhat do you want?
Why do you want it?
Who has the power to give it too you?
Know your elected officials- nurture your relationships