Engaging Your Elected Officials in the Fair HealthOfficials in the Fair Health Movement

Dr Teresa CórdovaDr. Teresa CórdovaBernalillo County, NM

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 – 1:30 pm EST

Community Development• Infrastructure• Economic development• Economic development• Long range land use planning

Infrastructure• Water• sewer,• Drainage• RoadsLand Use

S t Pl• Sector Plans• Land Use Decisions, e.g. permitting, zoningAir Quality

Promote regional perspectives on air quality• Promote regional perspectives on air quality• Increasing clout of unincorporated areas with Air Quality

Board

Design of InfrastructureDesign of InfrastructureCommunity Based Economic DevelopmentAir qualityAir qualityLong range planning processesConstituent servicesConstituent servicesLand Use DecisionsProvision of services and amenitiesProvision of services and amenities

Worst:Encountering harsh judgments based on “rush to judgment”j g• Where people didn’t get their facts straight• Where people judged harshly and inappropriately• Where people did not attempt to understandWhere people did not attempt to understand

complexities of the issueBest

Building Relationships:Building Relationships: • Where exchange was genuine• Where there was mutual respect• Where there was cooperative effort to develop solutions• Where there was cooperative effort to develop solutions

Show RespectDon’t put them on defense – unless necessaryDon t put them on defense unless necessary and part of conscious strategy proved effectiveDon’t be unnecessarily abrasiveIt is about building relationships

Have your facts straight and present them with a good logical analysisUnderstand the complexities of the issue

With h t b t l / t i t d th l t d• With what obstacles/constraints does the elected official have to deal, e.g. fiscal or legal

• Who are the competing stakeholders? What are their interests?

• What are the competing perspectives that elected official must consider?official must consider?

Be Clear on the Outcome that You SeekBe Clear on the Outcome that You SeekGive Elected Official a Solution that is ImplementableImplementableProvide a Set of Actions as a Starting PointProvide Reasons Why These Actions Will yAddress Your ConcernsProvide Reasons Why These Actions Will Serve the Interests of the Elected OfficialBe Ready to Negotiate