Encouraging Women's Participation in Local Government

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Cultivating participation in local elected offices is crucial for a thriving democracy. This research by the UW Extension Local Government Center emphasizes the importance of encouraging more women to run for office. It highlights the benefits of having diverse boards and the unique perspectives and public engagement that women bring to decision-making. The research also delves into methodologies, barriers, and strategies to increase women's representation in local government.

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Run for it! Cultivating Participation in Local Elected Office Presenters: Daniel Foth Local Government Specialist, Local Government Center Dan Hill Local Government Center (Emeritus) Kellie Pederson Community Development Educator, Bayfield County Victoria Solomon Community Development Educator, Green County Research conducted by: Jen Erickson, Dan Hill, Victoria Solomon, Melissa Kono & the Local Government Center

Who is the Future of Local Government? UW Extension Local Government Center

What about More Women? UW Extension Local Government Center http://womenscouncil.wi.gov/docview.asp?docid=28049&locid=2

What We Know Women win at the same rate as men Women provide different perspectives Women are more likely to involve the public in decisions Diverse boards make better decisions UW Extension Local Government Center

How Can We Encourage More Women to Run? Methods Strategies How You Can Help UW Extension Local Government Center

Methodology Phase 1: Phase 2: Barriers What Works Surveys Focus Groups UW Extension Local Government Center

Methodology SURVEY 1: Local Elected Officials 1,609 1,609 surveys sent 592 592 responses 37% 37% response rate UW Extension Local Government Center

Methodology SURVEY 2: Potential Local Elected Officials Men 5 5 5 5 Women 5 5 Leaders UW Extension Local Government Center

Methodology SURVEY 2: Potential Local Elected Officials UW Extension Local Government Center

Methodology SURVEY 2: Potential Local Elected Officials 38 38 counties 353 353 surveys sent 241 241 responses 56% 56% response rate UW Extension Local Government Center

. Top 10 Barriers for Potential Local Elected Officials (PLEO) 14% Lack interest or willingness to ask for campaign funds 58% 11% Time away from family or home responsibilities 57% 12% Time away from other activities I enjoy 53% 14% Time away from work responsibilities 51% 9% I lack interest/willingness to meet voters door-to- 41% 9% Negative political atmosphere in local government 38% 6% Concern about the impact on my finances 35% 6% Spouse, partner or family being subjected to 29% 5% I have concerns about reprisals or criticism 26% 1% I perceive a lack of support for my candidacy 25% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Current Supervisors Potentials

. 20% 18% DIFFERENCES Between Women and Men PLEOs on 15% 14%14%13% 13% 15% 12% 10%10% Significance of Barriers 11% 10% 6% 6% 5% 5% 5% 4% 5% 4% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% -1% -2%-3% -5% -7% -10% -13% -15%

. CONCERNS ABOUT CRITICISM HESITANT TO RUN AGAINST AN INCUMBENT FEAR OF FAILURE & LOSING CONCERNS ABOUT MAKING DECISIONS IN PUBLIC NEGATIVE GENDER BIAS UNCERTAIN ABOUT DOING A GOOD JOB

. Barriers with Statistically Significant Differences Between Female and Male Potential Local Elected Officials I am concerned about race or ethnicity bias 2.40% 3.40% I don t think I would do a good job in elected office 3.60% 8.40% I am concerned about my "otherness," such as 3.50% 14.20% I am concerned about gender bias against me 1.20% 15.10% I have concerns about making decisions in public 4.70% 18.90% I have a fear of failure/ losing the election 8.20% 19.70% I don't want to run against the incumbent 5.90% 23.90% I have concerns about reprisals or criticism 17.60% 30.80% 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 35.00% Male Potentials Female Potentials

. Percent of Respondents that Indicated that they had the Following Abilities or Experiences 35% *I have public speaking experiences 32% 42% I have organized an event for a large group 34% 43% I have served on the board of a non-profit organization or 38% 43% *I have run an organization, business or foundation 38% 46% *I know many people in the community 38% 46% I have interacted with elected officials as part of my job 39% 38% *I have attended local government meetings 39% 48% I have solicted funds for an organization, interest group or 41% 47% I have participated in a leadership development program 42% 48% I interact with elected officials socially 45% 36% *I am informed about local public policy issues 45% 50% I have served on an appointed local government committee, 52% 48% I have worked or volunteered for a candidate 52% 50% I have attended a state legislative committee meeting or 54% 51% I have an elected official as a family member or friend 56% 48% I have attended a political party meeting, convention or event 57% Supervisors Potential LEOs 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

. Are you qualified to serve in local elected office? 60% 71%

Women view the process differently This difference=less likely to run Recruitment is about education Recruiting some women may require new thinking UW Extension Local Government Center

Methodology FOCUS GROUPS: Local Elected Officials School Board Town Board City Council Village Board Judge County Board UW Extension Local Government Center

Strategy #1 Choose the right position No incumbent Impact Other women serving UW Extension Local Government Center

Strategy #2 Build trust with candidate Find someone with a previous relationship with candidate Make the ask comfortable Consider a one-on-one interview UW Extension Local Government Center

Strategy #3 ASK: Be persistent Plant the seed Ask multiple times in multiple ways UW Extension Local Government Center

Strategy #4 Make it clear You believe in her She is viewed as a leader Has the necessary skills Believe in her strengths and what she brings to the job UW Extension Local Government Center

Strategy #5 Ability to make a difference Not just about holding a position Many see themselves as advocates cause, group, community Ability to reshape the position UW Extension Local Government Center

Strategy #6 On-the-job training Do not need to know it all Emphasize strengths Many resources for learning UW Extension Local Government Center

Strategy #7 Commit to supporting Nuts and bolts Campaigning Support network Sense of responsibility>sense of vulnerability UW Extension Local Government Center

Strategies The #1 finding was to ASK UW Extension Local Government Center

One Approach to Addressing Gender Disparity in Local Elected Offices Kellie Pederson, Community Development Educator, UW-Extension in Bayfield County Lissa Radke, Community Development Educator, UW-Extension in Ashland County UW Extension Local Government Center

A snapshot of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors UW Extension Local Government Center

Local Research UW Extension Local Government Center

Long Range Goals To increase leadership capacity in Ashland and Bayfield Counties To increase community awareness of local elections To increase diversity of representation in local elected offices UW Extension Local Government Center

Develop a program to address disparity using the key findings of the UW research CONCERNS ABOUT CRITICISM HESITANT TO RUN AGAINST AN INCUMBENT FEAR OF FAILURE & LOSING CONCERNS ABOUT MAKING DECISIONS IN PUBLIC NEGATIVE GENDER BIAS UNCERTAIN ABOUT DOING A GOOD JOB UW Extension Local Government Center

Workshop Goals To provide an opportunity for potential candidatesfor local office to: network with local elected leaders address fears and concerns about running for office in a supportive environment develop knowledge and skills related to serving in local office build confidence UW Extension Local Government Center

Workshop for new candidates UW Extension Local Government Center

Recruitment Effort: Get out the Ask! UW Extension Local Government Center

Important Considerations Be sensitive... UW Extension Local Government Center

Build trust by creating a non-partisan environment 1. Reflect extension s role and reputation 2. Choose appropriate partners, facilitators, speakers 3. Consider Is this a good fit in your county? 4. Cultivate trust in the local election process 5. Prioritize integrity and transparency 6. Ensure accuracy of information 7. Avoid conflicts/confusion with state and national elections 8. Set a realistic timeline to allow for review of information with partners UW Extension Local Government Center

Be respectful of incumbent elected officials 1. Reach out pro-actively to elected leaders Express gratitude 2. Leave a legacy of leadership 3. Language matters: emphasize potential instead of new running challenging races vs challenging an incumbent Talk about what you d like to see 4. Voter choice is the backbone of democracy 5. ensure your program timing/location doesn t send a message that you re targeting a particular seat or candidate 6. Recognize varying motivations for holding office 7. Have your bullet proof why ready UW Extension Local Government Center

Workshop Format: 5 small-group discussions facilitated by local elected officials UW Extension Local Government Center

Facilitators and Mentors Connect your stories to the key strategies Strategy 1: Choose the right position Strategy 2: Build trust with the candidate Strategy 3: Ask Strategy 4: Make it clear: you believe in her Strategy 5: Focus on ability to make a difference Strategy 6: On the job training Strategy 7: Commit to supporting candidates UW Extension Local Government Center

Finding Common Ground: Tools for success when disagreeing with friends and neighbors & dealing with negative feedback UW Extension Local Government Center

The core responsibilities of local elected office: Ethics, decisions, agendas and procedures UW Extension Local Government Center

Honing your message to run in a challenging race: The Tully Message box and strategy UW Extension Local Government Center

Addressing the I m not Qualified Myth : You have what it takes to do a stellar job! UW Extension Local Government Center

Understanding the process to get on the Ballot: nomination papers, caucuses, filing deadlines, fiscal compliance UW Extension Local Government Center

Feedback Survey Results I loved this workshop and felt like it was a real confidence boost and a demystifier! UW Extension Local Government Center

Is this approach effective? Time will tell... UW Extension Local Government Center

Next steps for Run for It! Tool kit in development includes samples of important paperwork Hosting 2nd annual workshop: Tweaking format Better access to data Another round of follow-up for participants Improving effort to vehicle to get out the ask Further efforts of the Women in Government team UW Extension Local Government Center

We welcome your Questions, Comments & Discussion 1. What is the make-up of the elected boards in your community? Are they representative of the greater population? 1. If you were to host a program encouraging greater participationin your county 1. What challenges do you forsee? 2. What partners could you call on? 2. What materials would be useful to you in a Run for it! Toolkit? 3. What are other steps you could take to establish parity in local elected office in your county? 4. What kind of support do you need from the Women in Government team? UW Extension Local Government Center

Contacts Daniel Foth: Daniel.Foth@wisc.edu Dan Hill: Dan.Hill@wisc.edu Kellie Pederson: Kellie.Pederson@wisc.edu Victoria Solomon: Victoria.Solomon@wisc.edu UW Extension Local Government Center