Community Partner Advisory Groups Concepts of Involving Stakeholders Summer 2004 Agriculture and Extension Education Committees Alan Anderson, Director - Center for Community Economic Development, University of Wisconsin-Extension

Getting Started  Think about the politics and awareness with other stakeholder groups (Internal)  For the advisory group conduct a Stakeholder Analysis (What groups should have a place at the table)  Conduct a Power Action Analysis (Who from a given group should sit at the table)  Identify the leadership of the group  Give the group a clear mission  Think about the promise you are making to the Advisory Group  Understand that it takes time for a group to come together, understand their mission and to work together effectively

A Closer Look at Internal/Political Stakeholders  Agriculture and Extension Education Committee Members  Full County Board  Traditional Advisory/Stakeholder Groups 4-H Leaders Agriculture User groups Community groups  County Leadership County Executive Administrative Coordinator County Board Chairman

A Closer Look at Advisory Groups Stakeholders (External)  Area of interest related to Extension programming  Age  Occupations  Income level  Connections to the broader community  Location in county  Not limited to the people and organizations who have been involved with Extension in the past

A Closer Look at Power Actors  Holding a position of respect or influence among their peers  Holding a positional power of influence ( an elected or appointed office)  A proven track record of getting things done  Power Actors Tend to be Local not Countywide  Power Actors usually have influence in a narrow range of issues and with a narrow group of people

A Closer Look at Mission – Key questions that need to be answered  What is the purpose of the Advisory Group?  Why am I being asked to be a member of the Advisory Group?  What are the benefits of serving on an Advisory Group?  What does Extension need?  What type of commitment am I making by joining an Advisory Group?  Within county government, what is this status of an Advisory Group?  Will we be listened to, will I have influence?

A closer look at the promise made to the public when using them for public participation  Some key concepts from the International Association for Public Participation

Understand the Implied Promise to Participants by Getting Them Involved Informing the Community Objective: To provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problem, alternatives, and/or solutions. Promise to the Public: We will keep you informed. Example Tools: Fact sheets; Web sites; Open houses. Source: International Association for Public Participation.

Understand the Implied Promise to Participants by Getting Them Involved Consult the Community Objective: To obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives and/or decisions. Promise to the Public: We will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns, and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decisions. Example Tools: Public comment; Focus groups; Surveys; Public meetings. Source: International Association for Public Participation.

Understand the Implied Promise to Participants by Getting Them Involved Involving the Community Objective: To work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that public issues and concerns are consistently understood and considered. Promise to the Public: We will work with you to ensure that your concerns and issues are directly reflected in the alternatives developed and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision. Example Tools: Workshops. Source: International Association for Public Participation

Understand the Implied Promise to Participants by Getting Them Involved Collaborating with the Community Objective: To partner with the public in each aspect of the decision including the development of alternatives and the identification of the preferred solution. Promise to the Public: We will look to you for direct advice and innovation in formulating solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extend possible. Example Tools: Citizen advisory committees; Consensus- building, Participatory Decision-Making. Source: International Association for Public Participation.

Understand the Implied Promise to Participants by Getting Them Involved Empowering the Community Objective: To place final decision-making in the hands of the public. Promise to the Public: We will implement what you decide. Example Tools: Citizen Juries; Ballots; Delegated decisions. Source: International Association for Public Participation.

Citizen participation will slow down the process… but make it better Each level of participation takes extra time Start early and plan your process Remember you are making a promise to the participants that should not be broken

County Officials, Staff, and Citizens Need A purpose (mission, vision) A passion(Energy) Information to filter through their Values. A promise that they will be listened to. Knowledge of their community. Source: International Association for Public Participation.

Leaders understand that relationship building in advisory groups takes time Time/energyProcessStructurePurpose LOWCommunicationNetwork or Explore common round tableand conflicting interests. CoordinationTask force orMatch and coordinate councilneeds, and resources. CooperationPartnership orLink resources to help coalition parties achieve joint goals. Build trust by working together. HIGHCollaborationCollaborativeBuild interdependent system to address issues and opportunities.

Where Do We Go From Here  Do the politics right - Spend time to think it through and get it right.  Have a clear mission that you and the Ag committee agree on. Without it the advisory group will have a hard time.  Spend time and get the right advisory group together.  Understand that even with doing everything right it will take some time before the advisory group is functioning at top form.