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### Your Role in the Public Arena ###

This guide by Claire Layman, Extension Specialist in Public Policy Education, explores various aspects of participating in the public arena. Learn about building relationships, providing citizen information, and public policy education to make a positive impact. Discover your role in engaging with public officials, discussing contentious issues, and addressing pressing matters in your community. ###

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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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