The Two Types of Questions
When presenting your proposal, it's important to distinguish between the two types of questions you are
likely to face: "sincere" questions and "attack" questions. In my efforts here in The Woodlands, I'm happy to
report that I only received "sincere" questions!
1) A sincere question is designed to clarify a point or gather more information
from you.
The officials may not have prior experience with this issue and welcome your information. Such questions
are non-threatening and actually helpful to your presentation because they often make the perfect introduction
to your next topic of discussion.
2) An attack question is designed to discredit or discourage you in your effort.
It is important to remain calm if you feel that you are under attack. The officials may mistakenly
think that your proposal is a criticism of them for not having already addressed this issue and they may react in
a defensive manner by criticizing you. Remember, as I mentioned earlier, "Be nice!" and make it clear that
you are helping them solve a problem; you've done all the research for them and have a proposed solution in hand.
Common Arguments
Against a Duck Sign
While preparing for my presentation, I hoped my audience would be receptive (...and as it turns out, they
were!), but since I had never done anything like this before, I had to be prepared for anything! I tried to anticipate any (...and every!) possible argument that could be thrown at me and I'd like to give
you a "heads up!" on some of these issues...most of which I found on internet blogs concerning ducks and
traffic.
Below, each "possible argument" is paired with a "ready response", which you will have to
modify to fit your actual circumstances. I know I can't predict every challenge to your proposal, but here are a few
that might come into play.
The Idea That "Ducks Don't Matter"
(a.k.a. Hazard?...what hazard?)
Of course, you know, we have "Deer Crossing" signs...do you know what that can do to your vehicle
if you hit one of those?!! A collision with a deer can even kill you! Hitting a duck is no big deal; it's
not like it's going to total your car, so it doesn't really warrant putting up a sign. Ducks are not really a hazard.
Response: While it is
true that a duck will probably not total your car, the potential damage to a vehicle or loss of human
life is not caused by the impact of a duck; it is caused by the impact of another
vehicle when its driver is surprised by a duck in the road and suddenly stops or swerves to avoid it.
Unexpected objects in the road, be they animate or inanimate, always pose a hazard to traffic. Posting a duck
sign to warn motorists of the potential danger will reduce the "surprise" factor of encountering a duck while driving.
No one likes being surprised by an unexpected object in the road.
The Cost!
Our entire budget is already allocated to all kinds of BIG projects for the county/city/town. We've
got a major interstate going through, the courthouse renovation...we can't fund another project!...not even a silly duck sign!
Response: Yes, I'm well aware of how busy you are
overseeing all those major projects for the county and that's why I've already done the research on this issue for you!
Cost is not going to be a problem for the county/city/town because we plan to pay for the signs by fund
raising within the community. It's an excellent way to educate the local residents and studies have shown that when
a community has a vested interest in a project (READ: They work to make it happen themselves...) it has a greater
chance of success. There's more "buy in" and a "sense of ownership" by the community. (Now, present successful
examples from the "Buck$ for Duck$" page...) After your fund raising examples, conclude your response by saying,
"We're not asking for any money, we're just asking for your support and endorsement to authorize the sign!"
If We Put a Sign at This Lake...EVERY Lake in the County Is Going
to Want One!
The officials may fear that this project will become too big and be a burden to them.
Response: Again, remind them that the signs will by paid for by
community fundraising and will not come out of their budget. Also, point out that since each lake is different, each
would need to be individually evaluated for its own particular risk factors. Some lakes might not even have a duck population!
The bottom line, though, is that it's a safety issue not just for the ducks, but also for traffic, too. Since
lakes & ponds are recreational areas, people enjoying them will also enjoy a greater measure of safety as motorist who
are watching out for ducks will also be watching out for pedestrians; everyone is safer! Local residents will
see the officials as improving safety for the entire community and that's a good thing...especially
if it's an election year!
Cars as "Natural Selection"
Aren't there too many ducks at that lake, anyway? Don't the cars help keep their numbers down?
Response: (Take a deep breath, and tell this person to
leave the room and not to return...until they've grown a conscience and a heart!) Mowing down ducks with
cars is not a solution to an over-population problem. The way to keep duck populations down, is to stop feeding them. Ducks
already have many natural predators that keep them "in balance" with nature; in the lake alone, turtles are one of the
biggest threats to ducklings. On dry land, there are dogs, coyotes, cats, hawks, etc. that prey on ducks.
If there is an over-population of ducks, it is caused by human intervention via feeding. One way to
stop the feeding is to either post more signs prohibiting it and/or start assessing fines to people who continue
to feed the ducks.
Who are YOU to be requesting a duck sign?
You are making all these statements about the safety of the local duck population; are you an official "wildlife
biologist" or "forest ranger"? What qualifies you to make all these claims?
Response: If you are neither of the above and they are questioning
your credentials, say: While I am not a "wildlife biologist" or "forest ranger", I AM a resident of this community and
that alone qualifies me to bring issues of concern before you and also, requires me to propose a solution. I,
too, have a responsibility to "take care of things" and speak up when I feel we have a problem that needs to be solved.
That's why I've already done a lot of research on this topic and am bringing it to you, so you can make an informed decision.
NOTE: If you have gathered lots of information off the internet (pictures, news articles, etc.) put these in a binder
and bring it with you. When you mention your research, hold up the binder to show the officials. On the cover,
have an image of a duck sign to make it look like an "official document" or "reference book".
Someone Already Tried This;
It Didn't Get Approved.
They may have heard complaints about this issue before and nothing was done about it...probably because
it was just presented as a "complaint"...without a proposed solution.
Well...that was then; this is now!
Response: If you can, find out why it didn't get approved.
Was the problem budget money?...you're not asking for any of their budget. Has there been a lot of recent development
in the area...more houses, more roads, more traffic? Make the point that "back then" there were probably fewer
vehicles on the road and life in the community moved at a slower pace then. Recent development and future development
are all going to add to the traffic volume on local roads.
This is a great opportunity for them to be "proactive" and implement a preventative measure to ensure safety
rather than being "reactive": waiting until there's an awful traffic incident because nobody was expecting ducks to
be in the road. Think about it; this city council/official meeting is a matter of public record and you've
come before them presenting a solution to a known and recurring hazard in your community. If they fail to
take this opportunity to address it, and someone is later injured or killed in an accident because of duck-traffic...it could
come back to haunt them most certainly, in public opinion and quite possibly, in the form of a lawsuit. They can put
a sign up and pay for it now, or not put a sign up...and really pay for it later!
A Duck Sign? What next?...
a Raccoon or Squirrel Sign?!!!
This is an attack question designed to ridicule you; remain calm and when the laughter subsides, carry
on with your response.
Response: That's a very funny question, but I assure you, we will
not be requesting a warning sign for raccoons or squirrels because there is a BIG difference between those kinds
of animals and ducks. Raccoons and squirrels are very fast and their occurrence absolutely
unpredictable! Since they can appear at any place and any time, how could we possibly know where
to post a warning sign? All you can do is hope to be able to avoid them when they zip out into the road...but,
it's not always possible because of their speed and the surprise factor they create.
Ducks, on the other hand are easy to avoid; by comparison, they move very slowly and
their occurrence is very predictable: only near our lakes and ponds. If a motorist has
advance warning from a sign at a known "duck-traffic" spot, that eliminates the "surprise factor" and sudden stops or swerves,
making traffic safer for everyone on the road.
Aside from the "traffic hazard" aspect of this issue, remember, our community claims to be "nature loving" and
"environmentally responsible". (Here is where you gently remind them of any official statements from
your town charter, website, local speeches by officials, their attendance at Earth Day Festivals, etc.) What does it
say about our community if we "talk the talk", but don't "walk the walk"? Residents here, do love
nature and want to be environmentally responsible; putting up duck signs will help them live up to these ideals.
It's a very simple and reasonable attempt to safeguard the ducks...and traffic, too.
Note: Here is where you present a list of signatures from other members of the community supporting
your proposal. This can easily be obtained from neighborhoods surrounding the pond/lake, members of your House of Worship,
your school, etc. This is not an "official petition", but more a "show of support"...that other members of the community
want the duck sign, too. You don't have to have 100's of signatures (I only had 30...); tell the officials, that
you just started soliciting signatures and what you have so far is just the "tip of the iceberg"...and that you'll be happy
to get more if they need them!
No One Is Going to Stop for a Duck!
This concept seems foreign or silly to the officials.
Response: You will have in your possession, a copy of the children's book, "Make Way for Ducklings", by Robert McCloskey. The officials may suddenly remember
this book from their own childhood. You can tape your notes on the back of the book and hold it up as you
say:
The concept of traffic slowing down or stopping to accommodate ducks crossing is NOT new. The
award winning children's book, "Make Way for Ducklings!", written in 1941, tells the story of how Boston's downtown traffic
stopped to allow a family of ducks to make their way back to Boston's Public Garden.
More than 60 years ago, this concept of "traffic stopping to accommodate ducks"
was introduced. Really! With all the increased awareness of the environment, it would be absolutely shameful
to think our community is more than 60 years behind the times in this area! Surely, we can follow this humane
example.
Hold up the book, open to pages 41-42, (mark the page with a Post-It) which shows a picture of Officer Michael
stopping traffic to allow Mrs. Mallard and her 8 ducklings to cross. As you show them the picture, say: "We're
not asking to have a policeman stationed at the lake 24/7; we are just requesting approval to have duck signs posted."
They may ask if the story is true (All we know is that the author was inspired by
the real ducks at Boston's Public Garden...) But true or not, the real value of the book is in the concept
it introduced: stopping traffic to accommodate ducks crossing. The idea that civilization has the
power to pause to accommodate nature, is timeless! It was an important concept 60 years ago, and it's even
more relevant today.
If you want to read a TRUE version of this book, follow the link below to read about how Joel Armstrong, a loan
officer at a bank, helped a mother duck with 10 ducklings negotiate traffic in Downtown Spokane, WA to reach
the safety of the Spokane River. It's a current story (May 2008) and a great example to prove to your
officials that today, even in busy metropolitan settings, people DO care about their local duck populations. Joel is
a true "Duck Hero"!
Note: Involving children in the presentation
If you are trying to get a duck sign put up because your child or their troop, pack or club has expressed
a concern about the ducks, this could be a great opportunity for them to contribute to the presentation. The
sincerity and honesty of children can be a formidable force! Any official or Board being addressed by children has to
consider the 2 possible following headlines:
"Officials Approve Proposal by Little Janie;
Girl Scout Troop Celebrates!"
(Note: photo of "happy, joyful" Girl Scouts)
or...
"Officials Deny Proposal by Little Janie;
Girl Scout Troop Devastated!"
(Note: Photo of "crying, dejected" Girl Scouts)
It's important to remember that the desire to participate has to come from the children; it has to
be their decision to make a statement. It's a big decision for everyone involved because it is risky. If you decide to do this, the child must be extremely articulate (no mumbling), poised
(no giggling) and comfortable speaking in public (perhaps someone with experience in a choir, acting club, team sport, etc.)
Generally, even if a child has some lapses during a presentation, if they are truly sincere and really believe
in what they are doing, the officials will see that.
If you do go ahead with a child presenting, they should be dressed respectfully and well-rehearsed.
If you can, visit the place where the presentation will be made so that the surroundings will seem familiar and you will know
how the room is set up for addressing your audience. (Do this for yourself, too!) See if you can practice there.
If the child is a member of an organization like Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, they should wear their uniform and...bring their
whole troop/pack with them!
Don't forget to have a reporter from your local newspaper cover the presentation. Brief them
on what it is about and if they are allowed to take photos during the meeting, make sure they get a picture of the child showing
the picture in the book. (Warn the child that a picture may be taken, probably with a flash) If you can't take
pictures during the meeting, take one afterwards.
Like any "life lesson", it can go either way, but if it succeeds, think of what an important
lesson in civic involvement it will teach. Be prepared for both possible outcomes and no matter what happens, applaud
them for having put forth their best effort!
NOTE: There is just one little criticism of the book, "Make Way for Ducklings";
it talks about feeding ducks in the park. Back then, they probably did not know that feeding was harmful, so when you
read the book to your children today, remember to tell them that we know better, now...and that we never, never feed
the ducks in the park today!
