Political approval analysis
We will study the city council, city staff, community leadership and the opposition to develop a profile identifying the most important issues affecting community acceptance of your proposal or positions.
Community influence structure analysis
It’s no longer sufficient to know elected officials and city staff. People and groups in the community can have significant influence on the political approval process. A process that includes interviews and surveys with community leaders will uncover who is behind-the-scenes and has the power to influence the decision, and will help you understand their motivations and hot-button issues.
Issue approval strategy
Issues often bring out the best – and the worst – of a community. What will it take to reach the community effectively and mollify the opposition? Who needs to be involved, and what needs to happen by when? Skipping steps is risky, and can further prolong the process. We will work with you to develop and manage a thorough strategy that will overcome community opposition, build trust, and lead you to a favorable outcome.
Develop the necessary relationships
Members of the city council, appointed commissioners, city staff, neighborhood and community leaders, or any other stakeholders—you need to know them all and be able to work with them effectively. We will make sure you know the key players, that you understand their perspectives, that you engage in constructive dialog leading to trust, and that you have a sustained positive presence in the community.
Neighborhood outreach and community meetings
Positive information can garner support, or at least overcome opposition, but when information is lacking, people will frequently fill the vacuum with worse-case scenarios. Whether it’s developing the strategy, organizing meetings, knocking on doors, presentations to neighborhood groups, or hosting community meetings about your issue, we will help you every step of the way to make sure you are covering the bases with factual messages that are mindful of community perspectives, resulting in community acceptance of your proposals.
Endorsements
Issue advocacy makes strange bedfellows. The broader the apparent support for a project, the easier it will be for the political decision makers or voters to say “yes”. We will identify organizations that are good targets for support, and drive the process to get endorsement letters, plus public testimony to counteract the opposition voices.
Public hearing turnout
We will turn out supporters who will increase the chances of an enthusiastic “thumbs up” for your project.
Public hearing messaging
We will help craft a winning message to get your proposals over the finish line at hearing time.
Written communication materials
Descriptions, fact sheets, brochures, website content, blog posts—you name it. You need a skilled communicator from KMTC to ensure your message gets through to your audiences and garners support for your proposals.
Media relations
It’s easy to squander good will with one bad quote in the news. Dealing with the media requires expertise. Look to us to support your proposal and issue- related media and crisis communication needs so that media attention does not become a barrier to approval.
