HOW TO GET A DUCK SIGN
IN YOUR COMMUNITY
(NOTE: This page is a "How To" Manual
detailing the process of securing approval
for a Duck Sign)
History
In Spring of 2007, my family and I witnessed a near "4-car pileup" because a motorist failed to notice a
duck in the road. A few months later, a friend told me that she had stopped for a duck, but the car behind her didn't
know why she had stopped. They laid on their horn, whipped around her and then sped away...almost hitting the
duck. I knew something should be done to improve the situation for both the ducks and traffic...but I didn't know
what.
When I finally decided to do something, I went to the internet for information and found a great site
by Gina Hall, who started a "Brake For Ducks!" campaign in her community near Fenwick Island, DE. Inspired
by her success, I started my own "Brake For Ducks!" effort here in The Woodlands, TX. This page of the website follows Gina's
example of sharing ideas with others looking to improve the safety of both ducks and traffic in their
own community.
(Thank you, Gina...for showing me it was possible!)
Game Plan: Getting Your Ducks in a Row
First, let me say I was extremely fortunate in my efforts to get a duck sign approved by my Village
Association Board and County Commissioner. Everyone I approached was very supportive and I never encountered any
opposition at any step of the way. I wish everyone else the same luck! For starters, I'd like to share one very basic premise that I learned a long time ago:
If you are seeking someone's help...make it
as EASY as possible for them to help you!
It may take more effort on your part initially, but the payoff is well worth it! Here are the
steps that I used to get a duck sign in The Woodlands, TX.
Find out who is responsible for your roads.
Every community is different. In order to put up an official sign, you must find out who can
authorize it. Is the road in question controlled by the city, the county, the neighborhood association, the state...?
Once you know who can give the final approval, then you can plan your presentation strategy.
Secure an ally.
Once you know who has the final word on approval for your sign, try to ally yourself with another
official, Board or community organization to endorse your proposal. For example, here in The Woodlands, we are
divided into several different "villages", but our roads are maintained by the county. I made my initial presentation
to my Alden Bridge Village Association Board and got their support/endorsement. I then condensed my presentation
to a few pages and had one of the Board members forward the proposal to our County Commissioner, who approved it. (Theory: a
proposal that's already been endorsed by one official governing body or community organization carries more weight
than a proposal from an unknown individual.)
(NOTE: Find out the names of your potential "official allies" and if their website has pictures,
try to associate names with faces so when you go to the meeting, you can address them by name.)
Be nice!
You may be angry or upset about your local duck-traffic situation (...I know I was!), but don't
direct that negativity toward the governing board or individual from whom you are seeking approval. Be genuinely pleasant
when "expressing your concern" about the issue at hand. Your audience will be more receptive to what you have
to say!
Be a part of "the solution".
Governing officials are busy people who have to deal with an endless litany of complaints; constituents
are always asking THEM to fix things. As a member of your own community, don't forget...YOU have a responsibility to
take care of things, too! When you meet with officials, don't come across as "just another complaint", start
your presentation by saying, "I'd like to draw your attention to an issue of concern in our community and also, present
you with my proposed solution." This way, it sounds like YOU have solved a problem for them! (That makes
you the "ideal constituent"...how could they not pay attention to you, now?)
Do your homework.
Gather all the information you can off the internet for your presentation to the officials. (For an
example, see the "Presentation" pages.) Google phrases and images like "duck crossing sign", "ducks
and traffic", "Brake For Ducks!", "ducks crossing road", etc.
NOTE: The importance of graphics. "A picture
is worth 1,000 words"...and when it comes to presentations, it makes a big difference if you have some sort of visual
references to support your ideas. Make a handout for every member of the Board or official present. (Warning:
Make sure the ink cartridges in your printer are full before you start printing and have extra cartridges on hand in case
you run out.) If you'll have access to a PC-projector at the meeting, you can make a Powerpoint presentation instead,
but if you do, you should still give a tangible, hard copy of your images to the officials for their reference.
Another added benefit of using graphics, is if you feel uncomfortable speaking in public, having a handout greatly reduces
the pressure on you as a speaker. As you state your ideas, direct your audience's attention to your handout;
they will be looking at the pictures (maps, photos, etc.) more than they will be looking at you!
Your "Presentation checklist":
1) Introduce yourself, state how long you've been a resident of your community
and then, give your opening statement about why you are there: "I'd like to draw your attention to an issue of
concern in our community and also, present you with my proposed solution." Mention any actual incidents that
you or others have experienced regarding ducks and traffic.
2) A map of the target pond/lake showing its proximity to the road (a GoogleEarth
map looks very official...).
3) A list of the risks specific to that pond (i.e. on a blind curve, obscured
from the road by greenbelt of trees, etc.)
4) Several pictures (your own photos or some from the internet) of ducks
crossing roads. This is an especially compelling part of your presentation where the "graphics" speak for themselves.
You can say, "I don't know if you've ever been at the pond when ducks are crossing the road, but these images give you an
idea what it's like." (It doesn't matter if the pictures are not from your pond specifically...the point is just for
them to see images of ducks mixed in with traffic...especially if it's a mother with ducklings!)
5) A brief statement asserting that placing a "Brake For Ducks" sign
near the pond will improve safety for ducks AND traffic. Show an image of the duck sign you intend to use. (If
you don't have one yet, I know where you can get a really nice one!)
6) Examples/photos of other communities that have duck signs;
if you have pictures from the internet, that's great! You can say, "From Delaware to California...from Texas to Michigan...lots
of communities recognize the necessity of safeguarding both ducks and traffic." If one of your examples
is another community nearby, that helps a lot. And if this other community is YOUR community's rival in some sort of
way, that's even better! Say, "It should be noted that XYZ-ville has duck crossing signs...THEY have ducks signs, why
don't we?"
7) Any statements from your community's official charter or website regarding
the environment or nature. Do they advertise themselves as a "Green" or "Nature loving" community? Were any
of the officials present at a local "Earth Day Festival"? If any of the above are true, gently point this out
to the officials by restating the environmental quotes you found and say, "Putting up a Duck Crossing sign is completely
in line with our community values. It will remind everyone of the ideals that we, as a community, aspire
to live by." Also point out this added benefit: if motorists are more alert for ducks in the road, they will also
be more alert to pedestrian traffic that is usually found near lakes and ponds.
Address the "money question".
One issue that's always of concern for any community project is the cost. How much will it cost them
to put up the signs? Tell them that the signs will be paid for by local fund raising. (Yes, it's been done before, and
yes, you can do it, too!) There is a big advantage to local fund raising; it's great publicity for your
cause! Think of it as an opportunity to educate your community and raise awareness about the duck-traffic issues.
There are many different ways to pay for the signs. For example; is there a school, church or
business nearby?...or maybe a community group like Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts? Perhaps they could "adopt the pond" and
raise money for the signs. If they did, they'd get a smaller sign below the duck sign acknowledging them as the
sponsor (like organizations that sponsor certain sections of highways and keep them clean). If you can get a school
to sponsor the sign, it would be a great opportunity to educate the students about the ducks (i.e. don't feed them, watch
out for them in traffic, etc.). Plus, it would give the community a vested interest and sense of ownership
in the success of the project; they would "buy in" to the idea of being responsible stewards of the wildlife at
the pond/lake. For additional fund-raising ideas, see the "Buck$ for Duck$" page.
Close the presentation.
Conclude your presentation by summarizing it as a "proposed solution to address a local traffic hazard;
it will improve the safety of both ducks AND traffic." Then ask them...right then and there...for their support/endorsement
in taking it to the next level of officials; "May I have the Board's official endorsement of my proposal so
it can be submitted to the County Commissioner?" If they say, "Yes", congratulations! Now, follow whatever procedure
is necessary to take your proposal to the next level.
(You may be giving the same presentation again...just at a higher level!)
If the meeting continues after your presentation, stay until it ends so you may talk directly with some of
the officials and thank them. Also, send the official or Board a "Thank You"
note for allowing you to present your proposal and...for supporting it!
If you do not get an endorsement right away or if you actually meet resistance, use the strategies
on the "Point-CounterPoint" page. You must read that page before your presentation (part
of being prepared) so that you will be ready for anything that they may throw your way!
