1. What Do Local Transportation Directors Expect from You?
How to be a Nice “Know-it-All” with No time, Money or Staff
Alexandra Robinson, M.Ed., CDPT
Executive Director, New York City Department of Education
Office of Pupil Transportation

2. Who I am In industry long time Self Sufficient (to a point)
Not your “typical” local director
“Some of my best friends are State Directors”

3. Do You Know What I Do or Where I Am?
Start with the basics above –pretend you are new and I am new
Do you understand the nature of my job and scale
Are there things about “me” that could harm the State?
Is something about my region/area unique?
Have there been things happening in my location common to group?
Where I am located and where I am on the knowledge scale are different
Do you know where my office is located? Have you been there?

4. Do I Know What You Do or Where You Are?
Have I introduced myself
Do I understand your role in MY state?
Do you have time, money, staff?
Do you have a list of customers?
Where am I on the list?
Where are you located?
Have I been there?

5. So What Do I Want – Are Expectations Too high?
I want someone available
A number to call
A resource for information
A one stop shop
A place for technical assistance
A policy expert
An advocate
Cheerleader
A listening ear
An unbiased view – private/public
A regulatory support
A liaison with other state agencies
A person with time
A colleague
Experience
A stress-free connection

6. So - What Do I Really Need?
Someone who is honest about what they don’t know
Someone with answers or a place to find them
A place to bounce ideas back and forth
A devil’s advocate so I always know the risks
A person who will ask me for input
Acknowledgement of my skill-set too
Communication

7. How Can I Help You? Resources and knowledge Place to sit
Ability to sell your story too
Sounding board
Pilot programs
Guinea pig
Off-shore account