Kurt 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 Strategies Know 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 strategies Pick 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

History Community Assessment Three key questions Needed to act quickly as vendors were setting up shop Experience in Menasha One company already using this heat source Not 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 Strategy Common Council Support Risks? Identify champion 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 pick non- supporter? Strength of those apposed to action

Wood Boiler Advocacy Result Reinforcement Opportunities Worked into existing Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance resulting in Fire Chief support ( key influencer) Past unanimously Minimized 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

History Community Assessment Three key questions Organized 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 Strategy Common Council Support Risks? Identify champion 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 pick non- supporter? Strength of those apposed to action

100 % Smoke Free Indoor Air Result Well written ordinance without loopholes Resulted in tie vote on Council floor after months of debate Created a great deal of community discussion and divisiveness Media split - biased coverage Coalition strained Direct legislation alternative provided opportunity for majority to have a voice Battle got personal New alliances were formed Sophistication 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

History Community Assessment Three key questions Organized a local backyard chicken group called PEEPS Experienced success with Council member support Sustainability and Green Issues a priority for Mayors 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

Education Strategy Common 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 staffs concerns? Strength of those for and apposed to action How will Media judge you short term and long term?

Backyard Chickens Result Well 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 Questions What do you want? Why do you want it? Who has the power to give it too you? Know your elected officials- nurture your relationships