Thinking at scale: Our October 2024 Virtual Community Discussion

caryn.barretta@ajah.ca on October 24, 2024

On October 17, States for the Future convened for a Virtual Community Discussion with Ten Across founder Wellington “Duke” Reiter. Ten Across is a cross-state organization dedicated to convening diverse perspectives to better share information and to inspire proactive decision-making for resilience and sustainability.

Many states, regardless of their political orientation, face comparable challenges, especially as the climate changes and the impacts are not confined by man-made state boundaries. In this session, Duke shared his organization’s experience with partnering with states in the southern US to address extreme heat and water management, and how other policy organizations can build coalitions, foster optimism, and collaborate with peer states to drive towards policy change.

Attendees discussed what communication tactics worked best for these often hyper-partisan issues and explored how representing new voices into the conversation. This can include customizing messaging based on the audience’s “issue and place,” and partnering with reputable organizations or influencers to shift a conversation.

Key takeaways from this session are:

  • Combining lived experiences with data can help individuals and decision makers picture themselves in the story:  10 Across looks at a wide range of complex issues facing municipalities and states along the Interstate 10 corridor in the southern US. They take  an  approach of “intersecting issue and place” and use storytelling and data to reflect the lived experiences of those in the region experiencing drought, storms, and increased demands on water management infrastructure. This approach can also reduce hyper-partisanship by humanizing the data. 
  • When communicating on controversial issues, recruit diverse voices: 10 Across has found that messages from the “expected” or “common” voices aren’t always effective with audiences, especially on issues like extreme heat and water management. Amplifying the voices of non-ideological experts that aren’t regularly prominent in a policy conversation may have more of an impact. For example, hearing from an Air Force Base Commander – a role that is typically viewed as neutral and non-partisan – on the threats of climate change can be an effective way to discuss what can be a politically divisive issue.
  • Offer a range of formats for storytelling: To reach their broad audience, 10 Across collaborates with media partners to create a variety of assets like  podcasts, videos, educational courses, data-rich maps and graphics, and events. This range of knowledge products creates traction with media and other organizations who can then use the assets in their own work or communications.

If you missed this session, a recording of Duke’s presentation is available here and slides may be accessed through this link.

Engaging Stakeholders to Build the Washington Vitals

caryn.barretta@ajah.ca on February 8, 2024

How can you use data to drive ongoing conversations about your community’s future?

The Washington Vitals offer the most current data at the state and community levels to track progress toward Washington State’s desired future. Together with business and community partners, AWB Institute made Washington’s data come to life through good design and ongoing collaboration around the data.

Join Erika Borg of the AWB Institute to learn more about Washington’s approach and discuss efforts in your own state.

Speaker:

Erika Borg has nearly 20 years experience working within philanthropic, nonprofit and corporate circles to improve the lives of young people.  In 2018 she started Civic Allies Consulting which supports chambers of commerce, nonprofits and philanthropy in drawing up strategy, programmatic design and identifying funding.

Erika also serves as the Senior Advisor to AWB Institute, a 501c3 affiliated with the Washington State Chamber of Commerce, dedicated to the long-term economic success of all Washingtonians.  AWB Institute uses data and long-term economic trends to think through some of the biggest challenges facing Washington.  The Institute’s flagship project is Washington in the Making and “The Vitals”.  Erika has a Masters of Public Administration from University of Southern California and a Bachelors Degree in English from University of California, Davis.

Public Opinion Polling & How to Get Started

mike@wpxhouston.com on January 5, 2024

How can we ensure the policy conversations happening in our state reflect the priorities of our communities?

Join States for the Future and the Center for the Future of Arizona for a discussion on the use of polling to understand the priorities of our states’ residents. Attendees will learn about “The Arizona We Want” poll and how Center for the Future of Arizona has used polling data to engage communities and decision makers around a shared vision for Arizona’s future.

Presenter: 
Dr. Amanda Burke is the Executive Vice President of the Center for the Future of Arizona. Dr. Burke focuses on innovation and systemic change that will advance the priorities of Arizonans and the long-term future success of the state. She is responsible for the organization’s strategy, operations, and program leadership, including CFA’s statewide initiatives in the areas of education, workforce, and civic engagement. Amanda is a Senior Advisor to the States for the Future network.

About Center for the Future of Arizona:
Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for their state. Born from a love for Arizona and a desire to help their state succeed, CFA invests time and resources into the state and its people, including a unique partnership with the Gallup organization to build robust survey research of Arizonans to bring critical issues to public attention, and work with communities and leaders to solve public problems.

CFA offers many resources, such as its Arizona Progress Meter, a web-based tool with interactive data and downloadable charts.

Registration is live through Zoom.

Virtual Learning Series: Engaging Stakeholders to Build the Washington Vitals

States for the Future on November 15, 2023

How can you use data to drive ongoing conversations about your community’s future?

The Washington Vitals offer the most current data at the state and community levels to track progress toward Washington State’s desired future. Together with business and community partners, AWB Institute made Washington’s data come to life through good design and ongoing collaboration around the data.

Join Erika Borg of the AWB Institute to learn more about Washington’s approach and discuss efforts in your own state.

Registration is now closed. Slides (including key takeaways) are viewable here.

Speaker:

Erika Borg has nearly 20 years experience working within philanthropic, nonprofit and corporate circles to improve the lives of young people.  In 2018 she started Civic Allies Consulting which supports chambers of commerce, nonprofits and philanthropy in drawing up strategy, programmatic design and identifying funding.  

Erika also serves as the Senior Advisor to AWB Institute, a 501c3 affiliated with the Washington State Chamber of Commerce, dedicated to the long-term economic success of all Washingtonians.  AWB Institute uses data and long-term economic trends to think through some of the biggest challenges facing Washington.  The Institute’s flagship project is Washington in the Making and “The Vitals”.  Erika has a Masters of Public Administration from University of Southern California and a Bachelors Degree in English from University of California, Davis.