IAP2 September 28, 2011 CONNECTING WITH YOUR COMMUNITY HOW PEOPLE WANT TO ENGAGE IN AND WITH PROJECTS
IAP2
September 28, 2011
CONNECTING WITH YOUR COMMUNITYHOW PEOPLE WANT TO ENGAGE IN AND WITH PROJECTS
EnviroIssues
20 years helping leaders make decisions that last
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20 years – celebrate and keep learning
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Why do people get involved?
Do people really want to be involved?
How can I reach new people?
What do they know that I don’t?
Is it worth it to do a mailer?
Do people still read The Paper?
Questions, questions, questions
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Enough is enough – or is it?
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How do you know you need to engage the public?
What are the risks?
How much is too much, or not enough?
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Research questions
• What is the state of public involvement today?
• Are people satisfied?
• What role does public involvement play in
decision making?
• How do people want to be involved?
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People want to be engaged
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• High satisfaction
• Interested in becoming even
more involved
– Young people, 18-34
– Men and women under 45
– Rural areas
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Key ingredients
www.wordle.net
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I’m the decider . . . right?
• Decision makers should:
– Keep you informed, but it is their
job to decide what is best for our
communities
– Listen and respond to concerns,
and incorporate the public’s
advice when feasible
– Listen to and carry out what the
public recommends 9
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• “I don’t know how to get
involved”
– 25-34 year olds
– Hispanics
– Rural women
– Lower income
– High school educated
Pueden escucharme ahora?
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Beyond the usual cast of characters
• Reaching new people or
those you really need to
reach
– Be explicit (how, why)
– Understanding motivations
– Honing messages
– Customizing tools
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Our attitudes and viewpoints change as we age.
So do our motivations and interests.
Ages and stages
Challenging Times
• 18 to 24 year olds (+13 pts)
Make a Difference
• 25 to 34 year olds (+10 pts)
Responsibility
• 35 to 44 year olds (+9 pts)
Frustration
• 45 to 59 year olds (+5 pts)
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20% 17% 23% 30%
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Understanding other motivations
Why do people get involved?
To Improve Quality of Life (40%)Democrats: 59%
Rural Women: 53%
City Residents: 49%
Women Under 45: 49%
Multnomah County: 46%
College Grads: 45%
Project Impacts Finances (22%)Republicans: 35%
High School Grads: 29%
45 to 59 year olds: 26%
Metro Portland Men: 26%
Rural Residents: 26%
Project is Near Home (20%)25 to 34 year olds: 28%
Under 45 Men 26%
Pierce County: 25%
Republicans: 25%
Idaho Residents: 24%
Rural Women: 24%
Project Impacts Work (7%)18 to 24 year olds 14%
Men Under 45 14%
Metro Portland Men 12%
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The message matters
• Honing your message will engage more people
– First understand motivations
– Link motivations to your challenges
– Include a clear benefit
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A message needs a place to go
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60%
56%
39%
34%
18%
57%
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Can you reach your audience online?
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83% of those surveyed have internet
access at home
83% in rural areas
77% of non-whites
69% of high school graduates
68% of those with a HH income of $25-35,000/year
68% of those 60+ years old
80% in Portland Metro area
Alignment with IAP2 core values
• Those who are affected by the decision were
involved in the decision-making process.
– Validated by our research.
• The public’s contribution influenced the decision.
– Public say in outcome is strong predictor of satisfaction with process.
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Alignment with IAP2 core values
• The decision was sustainable, and recognized
and communicated the needs and interests of all
participants, including decision makers.
– Blend of participant and decision maker input preferred
• The involvement of those potentially affected by
or interested in the decision was sought out and
facilitated.
– Tools to achieve engagement identified18
Alignment with IAP2 core values
• Information provided to participants supported
meaningful participation.
– Direct information is predictor of successful process.
• Participants were informed abut how their input
affected the decision.
– Use effective channels to distribute this information.
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Thank you
1515 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 1022
Portland, OR 97214
503-248-9500
www.enviroissues.com
@EnviroIssues
Mandy Putney
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PORTLAND SEATTLE TACOMA BOISE RICHLAND