robert johnson

Robert Johnson

Livable Streets Advocacy Training

The unified voice for active living, promoting a healthy, safe and accessible outdoor experience for all in a vibrant, engaged community.

Our Mission

What is an Advocate? Someone who pleads the cause of

another; who defends or maintains a cause or proposal; or who supports or promotes the interests of another.

What is an Campaign? A connected series of operations

designed to bring about a particular result

Do You Want to Campaign?

We do Not Need to Be Negative

We do Not Need to Be Negative

People are ready for this change

We do Not Need to Be Negative

We do Not Need to Be Negative

People are ready for this change

They just need to know about it

People are ready for this change

We do Not Need to Be Negative

Complete Street (Before)

1.2 million are under the age of 16

756,000 are over the age of 65

378,000 between 16-65 have at least one physical disability

40% of all Missourians

Millions of Missourians Cannot Drive

1.2 million are under the age of 16

756,000 are over the age of 65

378,000 between 16-65 have at least one physical disability

40% of all Missourians

Millions of Missourians Cannot Drive

Does the Status Quo work for them?

The citizens of the United States sent 32.6 billion dollars of their wealth overseas on foreign oil

Finances

The citizens of the United States sent 32.6 billion dollars of their wealth overseas on foreign oil

In January 2011

Finances

Today’s children may be the first to not outlive their parents

Health

Health & Finances

No sidewalks

No connections around school

Complete Street (Before)

Complete Street (After)

General Strategies for

Effective Advocacy

Be an Informed Citizen

How transportation policies affect lives Communicate policies to elected officials Most of what you need to know can be

found in the Advocacy Manual given to you today

Join an Advocacy Organization

Local: BikeWalkKC State: KanBikeWalk and MoBikeFed National: League of American Bicyclists Funds Email alerts

Educate Others Ask what Livable Streets means to them

Slightly tweak Handle objections

Facilitate Effective Meetings Pick a time and place that is appropriate

for the group Build a strong agenda Ensure good facilitation

Understand and Change Perspectives

You are here: You are likely not “normal!”

Perspectives; Ask Questions If you did decide to walk or bicycle…… What about Federal, State and local

policy…..

Set Reasonable Goals and Compromise Users and infrastructure at the same

time Baby steps

Be Completely Credible Appearance Positive & visionary Follow up

Complete Streets Is Not A Partisan Issue

So Do Not Make It One

Non-partisan Identify the qualities of Livable Streets

that appeal to the two main parties.

Steps to Building a Successful Campaign

Is Your Campaign the Right Fit? Has reasonable prospects for victory Results in definite community

improvement Engages important groups of people Fits your organization or neighborhood’s

mission, culture and resources Leverages positive media

Step 1: Define Your Issue Identify the problem Formulate a solution Illustrate how to implement the solution List people who care about what’s at

stake for them These are your stakeholders.

Formulate your Quick Pitch

Step 2: Set Your Campaign Goals Goals should represent the social changes

you wish to see The long term goal should be be the overall

goal of the campaign Short and medium-term goals are steps

toward the overall goal Short and medium goals can be small It is very important that your neighborhood

or organization goals support the campaign

Step 3: Assess Your Resources: SWOT List your strengths

E.g. Strong fundraising ability List your weaknesses

E.g. No membership structure Opportunities

E.g. Safe Routes to School Funding Threats

E.g. Community detractors, NIMBYs

Step 4: Strategize:Who has the power to make the change you seek?

Primary Targets Specific people Not simply “city council or MoDOT” Who can apply for that grant; who must support

your effort? Secondary Targets

People who have influence over the primary targets Public Targets

Geographic: Neighborhoods, street corridors, schools, business districts

Constituencies: Soccer moms, citizens of low wealth

Obtain Stakeholders Commitments

Ask the important questions Wait for an answer

Reach out to Stakeholders Prioritize based upon the effectiveness of

communication. Face to face Telephone conversation Email

Identify a Champion

Strategy:Who has the power to make the change you seek?

Create a Power Map

Crosswalk on B St.

Primary Targets

Secondary Targets

Connections to all targets

Step 5: Communicate

Brainstorm ways to use social media Compose a personal story Write a letter to the editor Write your stair speech

Hook Problem Solution Specific actions Slogan

Communicate: Media Tactics

Press Release Op-ed Pitch your story to news outlets Local radio or TV shows Public Service Announcements Editorials or Columnists

Step 6: Tactics and Timelines

Draft a tactic (to-do list) Give it a deadline Identify the lead person

E.g. Identify allies in neighborhood: Your Stakeholders

May 15, 2011 Neighborhood Association President

Tactic Date Lead Person

Step 7: Manage Your Resources

Large campaigns can cost money Your campaign may not require much money It is important to consider what your

expenses may be Personnel Professional Expenses Printing, materials, mailing

Seek in-kind support from stakeholders Outline possible income the campaign can

generate

Speaking at Public Meetings

Research Protocol Length of speaking time? Are you allowed to use media? Distribute documents?

Coordinate Stakeholders Plan talking points Plan for potential arguments Respect the stakeholders efforts

Questions and Answers

Step 1: Define Your Issue Identify the problem (e.g. Crossing B Street is

unsafe) Formulate a solution (e.g. B St. needs a crosswalk) Illustrate how to implement the solution (e.g. city

should fund crosswalk and pedestrian signal) List people who care about what’s at stake for

them (e.g. families, neighbors, disabled, runners, etc.). These are your stakeholders.

Quick Pitch:Put these four elements together in sentence or two

that can be recited quickly.