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Section 3. Gaining Public Support for Addressing Community Health and Development Issues

What do we mean by gaining public support for addressing community health and development issues?

___You know that community support for addressing an issue means that most people in the community see resolution of the issue as extremely important to the well-being of the community, and want to accomplish it as quickly and effectively as possible.

Why do you need public support for addressing community health and development issues?

___You seek public support for community credibility.

___You seek public support in order to gain more support.

___You seek public support in order to take action on the issue.

___You seek public support in order to accomplish political goals concerning the issue.

___You seek public support to foster public ownership of solutions and their implementation.

Whose support do you need?

___You seek the support of community leaders and other influential individuals.

___You seek the support of representatives of the media.

___You seek the support of those most affected by the issue.

___You seek the support of policy makers.

___You seek the support of community activists.

___You seek the support of opinion leaders.

When should you try to gain support?

___You seek support when there's a crisis involving the issue.

___You seek support when the issue has reached a point where it can no longer be ignored.

___You seek support when a critical number of people have been affected by the issue.

___You seek support when new information calls attention to the issue.

___You seek support when a publication or media story calls attention to the issue.

___You seek support when a crucial event bring s the issue to the fore.

___You seek support when the political time is right.

How do you gain public support for addressing community health and development issues?

___You frame the issue carefully.

___You enlist respected leaders and other members of the community as representatives and spokespersons.

___You make common cause with other groups.

___You establish yourself as the authority on the issue.

___You take advantage of opportunities.

___You use the media.

___You use the Internet.

___You gain support one individual and group at a time.

___You ask people to do something specific.

___You create activities and events to highlight the issue.

___You demonstrate your broad base of support as often as possible.

___You recognize and reward community members for their efforts.

___You publicly celebrate your successes.

___You cede control to the community if possible.

___You follow up and maintain support.