Even Better than Face-to-Face: Improving Outreach and Collaboration through Proven Web-Based Tools

Transcription

1 Even Better than Face-to-Face: Improving Outreach and Collaboration through Proven Web-Based Tools 2006 National Environmental Partnership Wayne Pferdehirt Co-Director Printers National Environmental Assistance Center U. Of Wisconsin-Madison

2 Today s Presentation A Little Background and Perspective Three Case Studies Questions and Discussion: Further Applications?

3 The Premise There are better ways to do many types of outreach than face-to-face meetings What s the problem? Travel time and distance limits attendance by target audience Traditional format greatly limits meaningful interaction with stakeholders Costs for host Staff time and travel Facility Speaker travel No replay for folks unable to attend

4 Three Case Studies 1. Proposed Rule for Management of Solvent- Contaminated Rags and Wipes Dec Ohio Permit-by-Rule for Printers Jan New Hazardous Waste Manifest Sept 2006

5 Case 1: Proposed Rule for Management of Solvent-Contaminated Rags and Wipes

6 The Experiment Two Web conferences (i.e., Webinars ) to present and discuss a proposed federal rule regulating used, solvent-contaminated wipes Target audience was printers and technical assistance providers Each Webinar ended with a Web-enabled survey to evaluate program impact and ease of use The Webinars were designed to be a key part of a broader outreach strategy by EPA, and partner trade associations regarding the proposed rule

7 Logistics Two sessions Early December 2003, 90 minutes each Free registration; capacity limited by phone bridge and Placeware license Promotion from trade association to members Announcements from via Web site and listservs Connecting Easy to participate from office, home, or anywhere Toll-free dial-in for audio Interactive visuals via Web browser Handouts distributed via and Web site

8 Shop Towel Webinar Results Meaningfully engaged over 200 stakeholders in two Webinars Strong demand; both Web conference sessions sold out in just a few days after announcement Additional stakeholders continue to view archives Sessions were effective in helping participants understand proposed rule Before: 1.8 on 0-4 scale After: 3.0 on 0-4 scale EPA received immediate, specific, documented feedback on options current practices preferences on rule options being considered

9 Participants' Understanding of Proposed Shop Towel Rule Before and After Webinars Before Webinar 150 After Webinar very poor poor fair good excellent

10 Evaluation Results: Ease of Participation

11 Results Stakeholders appreciated opportunity to easily participate and provide meaningful input 95% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that, participating in the Webinar was easy and convenient Over 60% said they had never participated in a Web conference before was able to demonstrate value as sector-based catalyst and trusted bridge EPA Trade association partners Participants

12 Example Polling Slide

13 Example Poll: Methods Used for Removing Solvents

14 Example Policy Question and Feedback: Impact of Allowing Shipment in Bags

15 Case Study 2: Ohio EPA s Permit- By-Rule For Printing Operations New Permit-by-Rule for Small/Medium Sized Printers Needed Effective Outreach Mechanism to Explain Rule to Affected Printers Ohio EPA, Print Trade Associations and Partnered to get the Job Done One Webinar Session, January 2006

16 Welcome to Today s Moderator Marci Kinter, SGIA marcik@sgia.org and Speakers Gary Jones, PIA/GATF garyjgatf@aol.com Rick Carleski, Ohio EPA rick.carleski@epa.state.oh.us

17 Ohio PBR Webinar Results Effectively briefed 30 printers on new rule Additional stakeholders continue to view archives Sessions were effective in helping participants understand proposed rule Before: 1.6 on 0-4 scale After: 2.8 on 0-4 scale EPA received immediate, specific, documented feedback on options current practices preferences on rule options being considered

18 Costs of Webconferencing WisLine Web Contracted MS LiveMeeting service through University of Wisconsin- Extension, with coordinated phone bridge Costs Wisconsin educational and govt. organizations $0.19/line/minute Non-Wisconsin educational and govt. organizations $0.25/line/minute Others must contract directly with Microsoft and audio phone conference providers

19 Participants' Understanding of Ohio PBR Before and After Webinar Before Webinar 150 After Webinar very poor poor fair good excellent

20 Case Study 3: New Haz Waste Manifest System New, standard haz waste manifest system to be used by all generators, transporters and disposal/treatment facilities as of Sept 2006 Need to introduce all manifest users to new forms and systems Desire to make more engaging than flat web page or text file

21 Case Study 3: Haz Waste Manifest Training Project team: EPA Office of Solid Waste and Designed and developed Flash-based introduction to new manifest requirements and form Scheduled for release Summer 2006 Developed Using Camtasia Captures anything on computer screen and voiceover Easy to edit and produce

22 Using the Video Using the Video Introduction 2006 Changes COMPLETING THE MANIFEST -Generator -Transporter -Designated Facility -Discrepancies -Rejections -International Shipments From the menu, select any part of the video Please wait for your selection to load slow Internet connections may cause delays topics load in the order in which they appear You may also use the slider for navigation

23 Reflections Effective use of modern Web-based tools increases breadth and impact of outreach More impact for less cost Broader, more meaningful engagement of stakeholders Electronic archive documents event and provides replay Strategy + Right Tool = Results Sound instructional design is essential Events and tools must be part of well-reasoned outreach strategy The Essential Combination for effective outreach Relationships Credibility The right tools Stakeholders belief that their participation will make a difference

24 Conclusions Demonstrated that there are better ways to conduct outreach than live meetings in a few cities Demonstrated value of Compliance Assistance Centers Relationships Credibility Ability to effectively deploy appropriate, Web-enabled tools for outreach