Elected Officialsby Ted Kyle

Getting Support

“Support” – you have it when…• It’s their idea, not yours• You are not important, they are• They want it as badly as you• It’s support

– They talk about it– They become activists– They will argue and even fight for it

• It’s THEIRS

This Presentation

• People

• The situation

• Communication tips

• Closing thoughts

WIFM - radio

• What’s in it for ME!

Kinds of People

Conceptual

Social

Structural

Analytical

Who are “Elected Officials”• Citizens who are crazy enough

to want to run government.• Why do people run for office?

– They want “Power”

– They got burned and want to “Fix City Hall”

– Single-issue people

– They just care about good government

– They were asked to serve

A Look Inside

• Deeply held beliefs/biases– Planning or property rights– City hall needs to be cleaned out– Contractors gouge the government

• Susceptible to hype

• Perception means more than reality

The Board/Council Scene

• Someone is always unhappy after every meeting

• Local government has less power than people think

• It takes a majority to act

• Re-election is a real concern

• Open Meetings Law

What’s easy What’s hard• Like to give money away • Tell the staff NO• Ask for more information• Building facilities people

use• Spending money for

tangible service • Responding to citizen

requests

• Raising fees or taxes

• Saying NO to citizens

• Adopt new regulation

• Decisions that have no obvious choice

• Decisions in the face of controversy

• Spending money for studies

What Do Citizens Want

• Most citizens “voters” want– Government to regulate the other guy– Government to protect them– Don’t want their privileges cut– Want the other guy to pay

• Want a pristine environment to live in

• Less change

Staffs’ Role• Keep it simple (no tech terms)

– Pictures, tables, charts, maps, stories

• Don’t advocate – just the facts– Let citizens advocate, push, fight– Let the community choose

• Remember– People love the fish– Clean is good and healthy– Dirty is not acceptable

Presentations• Why are you here (wasting time)?

• One sentence topic

• What’s the main point?

• Opening, body, conclusion

• Involve your audience – Public meeting – everyone– Council meeting – just the council

Technology

• Nothing worse than a breakdown

• Know the room and audience

• Know the equipment

• Practice

• Get training on color, size, layout

Visuals

• Visuals must connect with audience

• Pictures are good

• Lettering size important

• Watch for too many words

• Don’t use visuals unless necessary

• Spelling and grammar count

Council Memos• Simple -- one page• Have someone read them• Avoid tech terms, jargon, acronyms (TLA)• Avoid emotional words• Avoid interpreting the public interest• Anticipate readers’ questions• Make the recommendation

Keys to Success

• No Preconceptions

• Participation

• Patience

• Persistence

• Purpose

A wise person says:

• People would rather be asked

than told.

• You have two ears and one mouth,

and they should be used in that proportion.