MFH/MU Extension Peer-to-Peer Exchange 11/19/2009

 Why do we engage local leaders? ◦ Get people involved in local programs  Serving as program volunteers (i.e.: Big brother/Big Sister, Boy/Girls Scouts, 4-H  Advocacy—to get the support of leaders for our work or a change in policy  Education programs ◦ Participate more fully in local decision-making  Serve on local boards  Visit with local leaders  Participate in planning sessions  Vote  Attend city council and other local meetings

 Who are the leaders we want to engage with? ◦ Formal  Business Leaders  Civic Leaders  Other Associations  Local Government Officials  What are our desired results from Engaging Local Leaders? ◦ We want them to:  understand our issue  provide resources to our efforts  Change local policy  Promote broader community involvement in our work ◦ Informal  Individuals  Families  Others with influence

 Where are the opportunities for engagement? ◦ Are there places such as city council meetings where your work and ideas can be regularly shared with leaders ◦ Are there other venues such as newsletters, web pages, blogs, etc… that they trust for information. ◦ Can you get a private meeting with leaders?

 What are the specific strategies that will get us what we desire? ◦ Informational—letting leaders know what you are doing ◦ Policy—developing specific policies and/or positions you want leaders to consider. ◦ Resources—how much will there support cost and how can they generate the revenue? ◦ Endorsement—what would their endorsement look like?  Letter to a news outlet  Participation in a program  Endorsement at a public event ◦ The more we can be specific regarding the type and nature of the types of engagement we are expecting from local leaders the better the chances of actually getting them engaged.

 How will you know if your strategies have worked? ◦ Is there an appropriate evaluation process ◦ Are there obvious benchmarks—new policy, more funding, etc…  Key elements to sustaining engagement ◦ Focus on the relationship  Invest time in understanding what is important to local leaders.  Establish trust  Be prepared to act when the opportunities arise  Understand that engagement is an ongoing process of relationship building and not an end product.

 What kind of effects would you like to see from engaging with local leaders?  Who are leaders in your community you would like to engage (formal and informal)?  What does it look like to engage with your local leadership around your issue?