1. Lessons Learned on Community Siting

2. GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVE
Benefit of keeping officials in information stream
Cultivation of “champion” who is able to override the generally risk adverse nature of leaders
Remember - resistance often linked to other issues totally unrelated to site/service (figure out what they are)
Undisputable facts only help (maps; data; demographics; photos; plans, etc.)

3. NON PROFIT PERSPECTIVE
Understand broad geographic swath of community (sites many blocks away may impact yours)
Build community roots by presenting / engaging with:
Local elected officials
Community Boards
Block Association
Houses of worship
Trade associations.
Proactively engage with primary and secondary stakeholders:
Clients and their families;
Potential employees from community
Media
Public Safety officials
Local businesses.
Build upon setbacks – ex: disaster response as opportunity to invite non traditional participants into sites
Explain what the proposed service is (data, visuals on site)

4. “Success is a planned event”
GENERAL
“Success is a planned event”
Very few success stories occur without community engagement
Keep trying, setbacks do not mean absolute failure.