The Importance of Advocacy: From Your Community to the State Capitol 2008 Citizen Board Member Conference North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association Greensboro, North Carolina August 7, 2008

Presenter Barry Ford, Esq. Director of Outreach and Advocacy United States Tennis Association Attorney Political Candidate Public Official Advocate and Lobbyist

Overview of Presentation Define Advocacy Why Advocacy is important –What your voice can mean –How you can make your voice heard The Focus of Advocacy Examples of Public Sector Priorities Why your Park and Recreation Agency Needs you Closing and Questions

What is Advocacy? Effort To Convince Decision-Maker What you want (Program, Facility, or Proposal) Will help them get what they want

What does Citizen Advocacy mean in the Park & Recreation Context? Passion for Parks and Active Public Spaces The Needs and Objectives of Schools, Communities, Colleges, and Local Public Officials Sustained Public Support & Healthy, Livable Communities

Park and Recreation Agencies Need Citizen Advocates Many government priorities Often Park and Recreation Agenda is not view as important as public safety, health, or education Park & Recreation agencies: –Embattled –Need Allies –Citizen advocates critical

What Can the Voice the Citizen Board Member Mean? Support for Park & Recreation Agencies: Helps create a healthy community, Improves the safety of a community, Increases opportunities for youth Enhances quality of life for all.

How can you make your voice heard? Interests and goals of the decision-maker. Not Parks and Recreation Activities alone. Connect Park and Recreation issues to other issues. The Park and Recreation Agenda addresses other problems in your community. How does getting you what you want, help the decision-maker?

Public Sector Focus This Agenda Primarily Targets Public Sector Decision-Maker +Government Leaders (Executive and Legislative) +Local +State +Federal +School Administrators and Educators But not exclusively so. +Influential Civic Leaders

Public Priorities that Park and Rec Agencies are Relevant to Health +Obesity +Chronic illnesses Community Development & Public Safety +Engagement of Youth +Safety of Seniors +Security and Opportunity for Families Education & Youth Development +After-School and Physical Education Economic Development

Why Your Park & Recreation Agency Needs You Community support and involvement Key to success Enhances ability to address expressed needs Help to make Professional Staff more effective Help to build important relationships with key decision-makers

Advocacy Circle Colleges Parks Schools Facilities Community- Based Youth & Families Sustainability Public Support A well-run Park & Recreation Agency is an invaluable public resource.

President Executive Agencies Congress Judicial Governor/Elected Cabinet State Legislature Administrative Agencies Judiciary Department Cities, Counties, Town, Townships, Villages, Special Districts FEDERAL STATE LOCAL Water Boards, Youth Bureaus, Citizen Advisory Group, School Boards Mayors, County Executives, Town Supervisors, City Managers/Town Manager City Councils, Town Council, Village Board, Park Boards, THREE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT

Conclusion As Citizen Board members you are: –Critical supporters –Important voices –Connectors –Advocates