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