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YOUR role in the public arena

YOUR role in the public arena. Claire Layman Extension Specialist Public Policy Education. I am a marketer for Extension. Yes No. It is ok for me to attend County Commission meetings. Yes No. It is acceptable for me to make comments during public comment period at a public meeting.

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YOUR role in the public arena

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  1. YOUR role in the public arena Claire Layman Extension Specialist Public Policy Education

  2. I am a marketer for Extension • Yes • No

  3. It is ok for me to attend County Commission meetings • Yes • No

  4. It is acceptable for me to make comments during public comment period at a public meeting • Yes • No

  5. I can name my state senator • True • False

  6. The taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for legislative salaries– the government should. • True • False

  7. Extension should get involved in contentious public issues • True • False

  8. The most pressing issue facing my county in the next decade is… • Unemployment • Obesity • Rising cost of food and fuel • Inequity in educational opportunities • Discrimination

  9. Three “strands” of public involvement…. • Building relationships, communicating effectively with public officials and the public • Providing citizen information: Extension’s role in “building our democratic system” • Facilitating public education on controversial policy issues

  10. 1st “strand”:Building Relationships • EVERYONE’S job—a team effort • All day, every day • Closely linked with our educational programming • Providing resources that assist policymakers

  11. A few basic suggestions: • Be politically astute but non-partisan • Become knowledgeable about community, governmental structure, public issues. • Know who represents you • Learn to tell YOUR Extension story • Share information, experiences with CED, supervisors etc.

  12. For more information • Core competency # 9—External linkages • Strategic Communications Toolkit—the portal • Strategic Connections Committee • State and Local Government AoE

  13. 2nd “strand”:Providing Basic Citizen Information • Purpose: to help the people we work with take more active roles in our democracy…to share their views with public officials • Our role since the beginning of Extension • Tied with information about the issues that we deal with

  14. A few basic suggestions…. • Provide information about relevant policymakers • Provide opportunities for interaction on the issue • Encourage involvement, communication • Don’t tell people to take a particular stand on an issue.

  15. For more information • Governmental links listed on Strategic Connections website • Read the paper, be aware of issues • Keep a clipping file on public officials.

  16. 3rd “strand”: Public Policy Education Public policy issues: --widespread public concern --gap between what is and what ought to be --involves controversy and disagreement

  17. Extension’s role Assist learners as they: --evaluate information --examine values --explore alternatives and consequences --make choices

  18. Identifying our biases • Importance of analysis, use of information in policymaking • Support for widespread participation • Serious attention to the issues that we address in our educational programming

  19. Possible roles for an Extension educator • Providing information • Convener • Facilitator • Program development • Adviser/analyist • Forecaster

  20. Cautions….. • How do we draw the line between education and advocacy • Are we involving all of the publics in the discussion? • Are we trying to really consider a range of alternatives?

  21. For assistance, more information…. • Journal of Extension, August 200l, “Public Issues Education: Exploring Extension’s Role” • Consult others…colleagues, CEDs, specialists etc.

  22. Final Thoughts…. • Work in this arena is crucial for future of Extension • Necessary role—in some form—for everyone • Be thoughtful and seek advice

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