Environmental Decision Making: Town Hall Summit

ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION MAKING: Town Hall summit

In this lab/recitation exercise for week 10 of the term (week of JUNE 5th), the class will be divided into 5 groups, each of which will conduct a public forum about a scientific controversy through a stakeholder presentation.

This is a common method to obtain public input into environmental issues. Organizations will host forums or public input sessions where a specific issue or proposed legislative action is commented upon.

Each group will be provided a physical location and type of organization that the comments will be provided to. The summit will address a key question that each member of the group must address. The group must also coordinate a 2-3 minute introduction to the issue addressed in the summit.

Each student within the group will be assigned the role of a particular stakeholder. They must present 3-4 minutes of information that addresses the given summit question; FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THEIR STAKEHOLDER ROLE. Each student must have pre-prepared remarks with CITED SOURCES, to be handed in at the end of their group presentation.

As a group, you will need to share research, identify all sides of the provided environmental issue, help each other with appropriate citations and references and be able to present a series of stakeholder statements to the rest of the class. You will have one required lab period during week 7 to use for group work.

This is not a public speaking exercise – you do not have to be an exceptionally good public speaker to do well in this lab (although good presentation skills are encouraged!). However public statements in townhall style summits are a regular part of the decision making process. Reading aloud a well prepared, well documented statement of issues is how this process is often done. This is the point of the lab.

Timeline and Evaluation:

Groups Organized: Prior to Week 6 Groups Independent Work: on your own schedules. Consult with each stakeholder role as needed. Finish Introduction Script: Week 7 Submit the scripted introduction to your groups townhall topic. Final Presentation: Week 8 – hand in full scripts – stage townhall forum in class

Group Work Marks

ELEMENT – Based on group work

CRITERIA PTS

Moderator Introduction - Script

Script is prepared in advance – written out in full, and names the presenters and the stakeholder position they represent.

Introduction addresses; question asked, location of meeting, brief background on the issue with some reference to available information that “the public” could refer to on the web.

5

Moderator Introduction – Class Presentation

Introduction happens as scripted - Introduction addresses; question asked, location of meeting, brief background on the issue with some reference to available information that “the public” could refer to on the web. Speakers are introduced as they begin to speak

5

Group Member Evaluations

Evaluation by team members of your contribution: (SEE EXAMPLE BELOW)

Did this team member fulfill their responsibilities in the development of this group presentation? Did they add value and ensure the group succeeded in the task?

10

Individual Work Marks:

ELEMENT: Based on your presentation

CRITERIA PTS

Individual Script Prepared in advance and handed in.

Readable and addresses the topic, and location of the meeting

5

Individual Delivery Audible and Understandable 5 Content Analysis Point of view and examples reflect a realistic stakeholder position 5 Sources and Citations At least 3 sources of credible information

Fully cited in the written document using course guidelines for critical writing

5

For your reference – the day of the final presentation you will be provided the following feedback form for assessing the contribution of the members of your group.

Team Contribution Mark – Did this team member contribute/ fulfill their responsibilities in the development of this group presentation? Did they add value and ensure the group succeeded in the task?

# Student Name Stakeholder Role (Mark 0-10) 1 2 3 4 5 6

To prepare for your role some research will be required on your part;

What does your stakeholder do? Are they representing an agency with specific view that they must communicate as a part of their job? Are they representing themselves as a citizen with concerns? What does this sort of information sources do they consult? What parts of the issue do they care about (or don’t care about)?

This information is necessary to understand before you start gathering the environmental science surrounding the issue. In this lab you must show you understand the content, and the point of view.

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