Post on 25-Feb-2016
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continuing advocacy at home
NRPALegislative Forum
March 27– 29, 2012
Presented by Roslyn Johnson and Brian Knapp
• who are your elected officials– what is their agenda?– what is their political
affiliation?– what is the geographic
jurisdiction?– where are they aligned?– are there staffers with a
common interest?
continuing advocacy at home
• customize– find common ground– mini marketing campaigns– target officials in small groups– involve staffers at the local level
• committees, advisory boards, projects
– it helps to have other local partners speak highly of you
– NRPA’s Advocacy Resource Center
• do the elected officials know who you are– establish value– what have you accomplished
in their district?– what are your goals?– what are your messages?– why does it matter
to them?
continuing advocacy at home
continuing advocacy at home
• relevancy– what is your ask?– what resonates?– can they be responsive?– what difference will it make
in their district?– assistance with problem
solving– don’t accept NO for an answer
continuing advocacy at home
• know the bottom line:– spending in Forest Park generates
$413.2 million in economic activity and $136 million in earnings
– there are 1323 LWCF projects in Missouri, $42 million in federal dollars leveraged against $77 million state side
– in Missouri, forestry, fisheries and wildlife represents an $11.5 billion industry
Information courtesy of Susan Troutman
• making (insert your city) a better place to live– promoting good health– connecting communities and
neighborhoods– preserving and connecting
people to nature– improving economic vitality– providing transportation options
continuing advocacy at home
continuing advocacy at home
• catchy phrases that resonate– “We are in the business of saving lives.”
• “We promote health and wellness all day long.”• “Parks and recreation provides activities for creative people -
lifeblood of thriving communities.”• “We help shape and support military readiness”
– “We are the only agency that increases property values and reduces juvenile crime.”
– “We take care of you from womb to tomb.”– Phone message “Out of the office helping to build
community.”
• events and celebrations– the more elected
officials you have at an event the greater your leverage to get them there
– make sure they have the opportunity to speak and to be seen
continuing advocacy at home
To do list while on the plane– Jot down notes detailing office visits– Follow up with a separate thank you email to include commonalities, quick summary
and additional information. Offer to add them to your newsletter mailing list.– Send summary to your marketing team back home to be included in newsletter for
users and advisory groups. Be sure to include contact information of who you met with, staffer’s/representatives interests to be taken into consideration for future event invites. Be positive.
– Add legislative visit as an agenda item for supervisor and staff meetings.– Create briefing for staff, include how they can involve the children and participants in
their programs.– Make sure you are on the contact list for all legislative updates from your
representative.– Set monthly reminders in outlook to follow up and keep lines of communication
open.
continuing advocacy at home
roslyn.johnson@pgparks.com
Brian KnappBoard of Directors, NRPAChairman of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authoritybknapp@cohengroup.net
Roslyn JohnsonDivision ChiefMaryland - National Capital Park and Planning Commission
continuing advocacy at home