Starting Productive Conversations

Prompts for use in door-to-door conversations, small group meetings, larger meetings or planning charrettes.

Learning what matters

The challenge: to find out what people care about. We’ve developed some questions that can help you guide the discussion in the right direction — whether you’re speaking on the porch or in a large meeting.

Woman canvassing door-to-door in Detroit.

 

Doorstep and small groups

Do some neighborhoods in our town have more trees than we do?

What do you think caused your neighborhood to have fewer trees than other residential neighborhoods?

Are your children in our neighborhoods mostly playing on pavement or asphalt playgrounds?

Do you agree that trees and green space make your neighborhood a better and healthier place to live?

Are you worried about the effects of extreme heat on people walking, working and playing in the neighborhood?

On your street do some residents believe trees are a nuisance and can be dangerous?

Even if planting more trees may create more work for residents, would you favor doing it?

Some people might say there are too many trees already in the neighborhood. Do you agree?

Large groups and planning charrettes

Area(s) where you’d like to walk, bike, jog, etc. if it had more shade structure along the pathway.

Area(s) where you’d rather walk, bike, etc. to get to your destination (work, church, favorite coffee shop, lunch spot, itness) because parking is scarce.

Area(s) of businesses you frequent that could beneit from more shade to invite more customers.

Area(s) near schools so the little ones are protected from the heat when they walk, bike, or ride their scooter to school.

Tags

Related Resources