COMMUNICATING WITH COMMUNICATING WITH DECISION MAKERSDECISION MAKERS

Paul D. WarnerPaul D. WarnerAssistant Director for Program and Staff Assistant Director for Program and Staff

DevelopmentDevelopment

Who are decision makers?Who are decision makers? LocalLocal

– County Judge ExecutiveCounty Judge Executive– MagistratesMagistrates– MayorsMayors– County AttorneyCounty Attorney– School SuperintendentSchool Superintendent

State State – State LegislatorsState Legislators– State SenatorsState Senators

FederalFederal– CongressmenCongressmen– SenatorsSenators

STEPS IN BUILDING SUPPORTSTEPS IN BUILDING SUPPORT

1.1. Building Awareness Building Awareness – Participate in ProgramsParticipate in Programs– Mass Media – Newspaper, radio, TVMass Media – Newspaper, radio, TV– Annual Report, Extension TodayAnnual Report, Extension Today– Web SiteWeb Site– Word of MouthWord of Mouth

How the Word SpreadsHow the Word Spreads

Start with 10 peopleStart with 10 people

Who each tell 10 people = 100 peopleWho each tell 10 people = 100 people

Who each tell 10 people = 1,000 peopleWho each tell 10 people = 1,000 people

Who each tell 10 people = 10,000 Who each tell 10 people = 10,000 people people

STEPS IN BUILDING SUPPORTSTEPS IN BUILDING SUPPORT

2.2. Involve decision makers in Programs – Involve decision makers in Programs – give them visibility, a role to playgive them visibility, a role to play

– 4-H Events and Activities – Reality 4-H Events and Activities – Reality Store, American Private Enterprise, Store, American Private Enterprise, Speech ContestSpeech Contest

– Homemakers county annual meetingHomemakers county annual meeting– Field Days, farm tours, demonstrationsField Days, farm tours, demonstrations

Communicating Results of ProgramsCommunicating Results of Programs

– Tell them - formal and informal Tell them - formal and informal opportunities opportunities

– Written reportsWritten reports– Mass media - newspaper, radio and TVMass media - newspaper, radio and TV– Personal testimony by program participant Personal testimony by program participant 4-Her, agricultural producer, homeowner 4-Her, agricultural producer, homeowner

STEPS IN BUILDING SUPPORTSTEPS IN BUILDING SUPPORT

3. 3. Identify Specific Needs Identify Specific Needs– Annual funding supportAnnual funding support– Equipment such as computer, copier, Equipment such as computer, copier,

etc.etc.– Office building, meeting spaceOffice building, meeting space– Salary increasesSalary increases

STEPS IN BUILDING SUPPORTSTEPS IN BUILDING SUPPORT

4.4. Express Appreciation Express Appreciation Thank them for specific supportThank them for specific support Express appreciation for the role they Express appreciation for the role they

play in the communityplay in the community Thank them publiclyThank them publicly

STRATEGIESSTRATEGIES

Host an annual reception or luncheonHost an annual reception or luncheon Include decision makers on Extension Include decision makers on Extension

Advisory CouncilsAdvisory Councils Ask their opinion on issuesAsk their opinion on issues Offer our assistance to themOffer our assistance to them Put decision makers on mailing listsPut decision makers on mailing lists Invite public officials to major activities Invite public officials to major activities

and educational eventsand educational events

STRATEGIES STRATEGIES (CONTINUED)(CONTINUED)

Take advantage of informal Take advantage of informal opportunitiesopportunities

Develop an awareness all year longDevelop an awareness all year long Ask for commitment only when it is Ask for commitment only when it is

neededneeded Use the contacts of the groupUse the contacts of the group

MESSAGEMESSAGE

The Three R’s of the MessageThe Three R’s of the Message

Relevance - Why was this program Relevance - Why was this program needed? needed?

Response - What did Extension do?Response - What did Extension do?

Results - What changes resulted?Results - What changes resulted?

Multiple Identities and ClienteleMultiple Identities and Clientele Four program areas – Agriculture & Natural Resources,Four program areas – Agriculture & Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Family & Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, Family & Consumer Sciences,

Community & Economic DevelopmentCommunity & Economic Development

Named programs – 4-H, Homemakers, EFNEP, HEEL, Named programs – 4-H, Homemakers, EFNEP, HEEL, Master Cattlemen, Get Moving Kentucky, etc.Master Cattlemen, Get Moving Kentucky, etc.

Clientele – youth, homemakers, farmers, homeowners, Clientele – youth, homemakers, farmers, homeowners, horticultural businesses, community leaders, elderly, horticultural businesses, community leaders, elderly, parents, teachers, agency representatives, etc. parents, teachers, agency representatives, etc.