Conducting Workshops

Description

The Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters (EPA, 1993) states that “meetings/presentations at local marinas or other locations are a good way to discuss (nonpoint source pollution) issues with boaters.” In this instance, the conducting of several such events or workshops has been undertaken to assess their value.

Implementation

The first task in preparing involved cataloging and categorizing the materials that needed to be presented. Once this task was complete, three different formats were then selected for use: the question and answer forum, slide show presentation and walking facility tour (see the session plans contained in Appendix I of hard copy for the actual content and organization of the two formal approaches). In addition to using three different formats, several different venues were selected:

• the walking facility tour approach was conducted at the marinas;
• the question and answer forums also took place at the marinas, but in one instance the event was scheduled into an existing function traditionally well attended by the customers;
• the first slide show presentations was scheduled for a large local boating supply store; and,
• the second was held at an adjoining restaurant and conducted over appetizers and refreshments provided by the marina operator.

With the actual content, organization and location of the events finalized, the focus for their planning then shifted to publicizing the various events. Although the approaches used varied slightly between the marinas, publicity flyers (see Appendix I of hard copy) were the primary advertising vehicle selected for use. They were posted throughout the participating facilities and mailed, on two occasions, to the marinas tenants. The one-stand out in regards to the publicity approach used, regards the slide show presentation held at the local boating supply store. In this instance and in addition to the posting of flyers at the participating marinas, the store was given 200 more flyers which were then handed-out to the stores customers over a two week period preceding the event.

Once the preparations were complete the actual events were conducted in accordance with the individual session plans. The basis for the proceeding evaluation was then established through the mail out survey which asked the marinas tenants the following questions: 1) Were you aware of the workshops? 2) Did you attend? 3) If you did attend, are now using the BMPs discussed? 4) If you did not attend, what would have encouraged your participation?

Evaluation

Cost: Except for the publicity efforts (averaged $16.00 per facility) and the slide show presentation conducted over appetizers and refreshments, there were no large costs associated with purchasing needed equipment or materials for the individual workshops. On the other hand, one must recognize that it takes a considerable investment of time to plan and conduct a successful formal workshop. On the average , 10 hours were needed to plan and publicize the events, 2 to gather any needed materials, 3 to advise any additional speakers, 2 to do a preliminary dry-run, and an additional 3 to setup, conduct, and cleanup after the actual event.

Educational Value: Educational value refers to the approaches ability to persuade the audience to use new BMPs. Through the survey it was then identified that conducting workshops ranked last among the customers choice for best method of informing them. Additionally, of the 26% who were aware of the workshops only 9% chose to attend (it is important to note that the low percentage of survey respondents aware of the workshops could be a false reading due to the fact the events were conducted one year prior to the administration of the survey and therefore the respondents could have forgotten of their notification). Of those who were clearly aware of the events and did attended only 31% have since begun to use BMPs which they learned at the events.

Cost Effectiveness: When comparing the average investment of time and resources for the preparation and conducting of the formal workshops with the 9% attendance rate observed and the approaches associated 31% effectiveness at getting participants to use BMPs, it is felt that the conducting of such events is not nearly as cost effective or viable an approach as the others evaluated.

Lessons Learned and Recommendations
Generated for Future Implementation

• Conducting workshops ranked last in the best methods to inform boaters question, experienced an attendance rating of only 9%, had the worst effectiveness rating of the three educational approaches tested and was not very cost effective.
• The effectiveness of the approach can increase however with improved attendance.
• If conducting workshops is chosen, focus on traditional publicity methods such as word of mouth and the posting and mailing of flyers, but more importantly try to schedule the event into an existing marina function that is traditionally well attended by tenants. This will give you a large captive audience with minimal effort (as was achieved with the breakfast event discussed above).
• To further boost attendance try offering some types of incentive such as door prizes, discounts, free product samples or even a small social event afterwards (such as was done in the above mentioned restaurant example).
• In terms of workshop formats the walking facility tour appeared the best method used in that it allowed the participants to gain hands on experience in the benefits and use of BMPs through actual on-site demonstration of products and procedures.
• The slide show presentation appeared less effective than the walking tour but more effective then the question and answer forum in that it engaged the participants and allowed the opportunity for the presentation and discussion of appropriate BMPs.
• The discussion and answer format proved least effective in that it made it harder to engage the tenants.
• Finally, the conducting of successful formal workshops requires a considerable investment of time and perhaps resources. If sufficient time and resources are not available, it is better to reconsider rather than to conduct an event which may set negative tones for future BMP implementation, evaluation and education efforts.

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