Take a S.T.A.N.D. – College Advocacy In Action: The Good, The Bad, & The Lessons Learned Presented by: CSUS Tobacco-Free Advocacy Project

The Project  Reduce the use of tobacco on campus  Expose the tobacco industry’s targeting tactics  Raise the awareness about tobacco use  Create positive lasting change at CSUS Our mission is to educate and empower over 25,000 students on the California State University, Sacramento campus.

Presentation Objectives THE GOOD: Tips for Coalition Development & Maintenance THE BAD: Reasons for Unsuccessful Campus Activities & Campaigns THE LESSONS LEARNED: Ways to Reach the Entire Campus Community

Coalition Development Learn About the Campus Develop a Mission Student Involvement Needed Target Your Audience On-Campus Coalition Cash OR Credit? Recruitment Event

Learn About the Campus Meet with campus administrators & leaders Campus newspaper Research website Research campus schedule Attend campus events Hang out in Student Union

Develop a Mission Relevant to campus needs Something students will want to be involved with Includes the goals of the project or organization Attainable Concise

Student Involvement Needed!!! Working knowledge of campus activities, trends, local popular culture, etc. Students have a powerful voice Students are the intervention target Students are the key to any successful multi-faceted social norm change campaign

Target Your Audience Club/organization boxes Residence halls Career center Student Government Multi-cultural center Health center Health sciences departments Eating areas Kiosks

On-Campus Coalition Advantages Student led and driven Institutionalized Power in numbers Access to club resources Synergy counters turnover Challenges Challenging to organize and maintain Volunteer students tend to be over committed Individual skill levels tend to vary

CASH OR CREDIT? Incentives Incite Interest Stipends College credits Gift certificates Scholarships Promotional items Positive Affirmations Recognition Trainings Work experience Certificates of Achievement Networking Being involved The incentives are endless…

Recruitment Event SCHEDULING & LOCATION FOOD!!!! Make it Fun!!! Incentives Interaction Clear and pertinent information Energy & passion Call to Action

Coalition Maintenance STUDENTS AGENCY/ORGANIZATION

Coalition Maintenance STUDENTS Communication Trainings Logistics Incentives

Communication ing: the most conducive to students’ busy schedules. Message boards/listservs: post messages, students can talk with one another. Telephone: mostly leaving messages, unless calls are made in the evenings. Snail Mail: NOT EFFECTIVE! Open lines of communication: give students alternative ways to contact you.

Trainings Importance Education Strategy Exchange Materials, literature, web sources, etc. Students choice of topics FOOD!!! Topics Advocacy Policy Social Norm Change Media Campaign planning The topics are endless…

Logistics Meet regularly Stay abreast of campus issues, policies, procedures, etc. Schedule events & activities consistently Set attainable and achievable goals

Incentives Public speaking Resume building Leadership skills Celebratory events Specific roles/jobs Creative control Sense of their own power, so they will feel invested

Coalition Maintenance AGENCY/ORGANIZATION Campaign Development Allies, Opponents, & Roadblocks How to Get Allies Involved Implement Action Plan

Campaign Development Conduct tobacco indicator assessments (administrators & campus departments) Administer student behavioral, attitudinal, and perceptual survey Administer faculty/staff behavioral, attitudinal, and perceptual survey Assess allies, opponents, and roadblocks Develop an action plan based on the priorities indicated by the assessment and survey results

Allies, Opponents & Roadblocks Ally: Dr. Jan Hemming, Director of the Student Health Center, offers meeting spaces, suggests campus contacts, volunteers to be a liaison between project and administration. Opponent: Dr. Cherry Zinger, Vice President of Student Affairs, smokes a pack a day, views tobacco use as a personal decision and not a public health issue, advocates for smokers’ rights. Roadblock: Lee Cannon, Director of Student Activities, insensitive to issue, dislikes non-campus entities, inflexible to requirements of a social norm campaign.

How to Get Allies Involved Schedule meetings/ presentations Provide information on issues, project goals, & how they can help Incite interest in various aspects of multi-faceted campaign Make issue relevant Provide incentives or an exchange of service Call to Action

Implement Action Plan STUDENTS involved at every step Address priorities through activities, media campaigns, and literature that would reach the target audience Incorporate a positive atmosphere Seek out resources and relevant allies Adjust action plan as goals are met and situations change

Coalition Development & Maintenance Highlights STUDENT involvement is a must KNOW and BE on your CAMPUS DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN based on target audience BE FLEXIBLE

Unsuccessful Campaigns & Activities Lack of Student Involvement (Coalition & Students-At-Large) Lack of Common Goal Poor Preparation & Planning Limited Resources

Lack of Student Involvement COALITION Planning events, activities, campaigns Advertising the events and activities Attendance at the events and activities Follow-up with interested students, or students in need of services

Lack of Student Involvement STUDENTS-AT-LARGE Buy-In Attendance Support Collaboration (I.e. campus clubs, organizations, etc.)

Lack of Common Goal Other people, organization, agency agendas Different message, process, and purpose Lack passion from intervention population

Poor Preparation & Planning Collaboration Facts & Information Campus Procedures Allies Aligned Event/Activity/Camp aign Schedule Follow-up Timing Weather Advertising Location Checks & Balances Enticement Call to Action

Limited Resources Money Incentives, promotional items, gift certificates, etc. Donations Flexible and open

Unsuccessful Activities/Campaigns Highlights STUDENT involvement is essential PLANNING is a must GOAL must shared RESOURCES need to be available BE FLEXIBLE

How to Reach Large & Diverse Campus Communities Involvement Creativity Purpose Multi-faceted

INVOLVEMENT: Needs to Involve Demographic Planning Pre-Testing Focus Groups Interviews

Creativity: Needs to Appeal to Demographic Look Design Contents Information Presentation

Purpose: Needs to be Relevant to Demographic Buy-In Identify Positive Call to Action

Multi-Faceted: Needs to Have Various Components Events/activities Policy work Presentations Participation (committees, ad hocs, input) Media Cessation Opportunities

Highlights INVOLVEMENT is a must CREATIVTY is key RELEVANT PURPOSE COMPRENHSIVE approach FLEXIBILITY a must

Our Tips… Limit frustrations and be patient A successful college project needs a youthful spirit Show your appreciation for students and allies Always remember you are working with students- keep an open mind Expect both wins and losses Celebrate successes

Contact S.T.A.N.D. American Lung Association of Sacramento – Emigrant Trails th Street Sacramento, CA