DAVE TYAHLA SENIOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER Bring Capitol
Hill To A Park Near You: Become A Park Champion! Massachusetts Park
and Recreation Association Wednesday, March 11, 2015 Amherst,
Massachusetts
Public Policy Team Jayni Rasmussen, Advocacy and Outreach
Specialist [email protected] 440-522-9162 Kevin OHara, VP of
Urban and Government Affairs [email protected] 202-520-1084 Dave
Tyahla, Senior Government Affairs Manager [email protected]
202-460-0880 THANK YOU!
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What Happened To The Legislative Forum? NRPAs Legislative Forum
was an effective annual event that brought parks and recreation
officials to Washington, D.C. to tell Congress their stories Even
more effective? Empowering parks and recreation officials and
citizens to be year-round advocates Instead of relying on stories,
advocates can work with their elected officials from their home
turf, backing up stories with impactful, real-life experiences
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Who Is A Park Champion? Park Champion: a park and recreation
employee or citizen advocate who serves as an ambassador to elected
officials for their agency or community
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Expectations Responsive to Park Champion Calls to Action by
engaging elected officials and staff via phone calls, letters,
sign-ons, social media, and events Host or co-host a member of
Congress and/or their staff at an event showcasing your park and
recreation agency and program(s) during the week of June 27th-July
5 th Consistently attend monthly webinars Participate in online
Park Champion community
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Benefits Develop relationships with your members of Congress
Highlight your parks & recreation agency and programs Learn
valuable event-planning and advocacy skills Strengthen volunteer
support by mobilizing them in advocacy Understand how federal
funding affects parks and recreation on a local level Receive
recognition at NRPA Conference 2015
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NRPAs Legislative Platform Conservation: LWCF State Assistance
Program No Child Left Inside H.R. 882/S. 492 Healthy Kids Outdoors
Act Health/Wellness: Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) Summer
Meals Act S. 613 Personal Investment Today Act (PHIT) H.R. 1218
Prevention and Public Health Grants (Administered by the CDC)
Social Equity: Community Parks Revitalization Act H.R. 201
Community Development Block Grants Transportation: MAP- 21
Reauthorization Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvement
Act - H.R. 199
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A Critical Year for Parks and Rec Legislation Important Federal
Policy up for Reauthorization: MAP- 21 Expires: May 31, 2015
Webinar: March 26 (New Date) Child Nutrition Reauthorization
Expires: September 30, 2015 Webinar: April 1 LWCF State Assistance
Expires: September 30, 2015 Webinar: May 6
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Capitol Hill Outlook SENATE
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Key Congressional Committees & MA Members: Health and
Wellness Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
House Committee on Agriculture Rep. James P. McGovern (2 nd )
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Sen.
Elizabeth Warren House Committee on Education and the Workforce
Rep. Katherine M. Clark (5 th )
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Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Sen. Edward J.
Markey House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rep.
Michael E. Capuano (7 th ) Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and
Urban Affairs Sen. Elizabeth Warren House Committee on Financial
Services Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (8 th ) Rep. Michael E. Capuano (7
th ) Key Congressional Committees & MA Members: Social
Equity/Transportation
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Key Congressional Committees & MA Members: Conservation
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Sen. Elizabeth
Warren House Natural Resources Committee Rep. Niki Tsongas (3 rd
)
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Congressional Champions among MA Delegation Rep. James P.
McGovern (2 nd ) House Agriculture Committee Child Nutrition Act
Reauthorization Summer Meals Program C0-Chair of Congressional
Hunger Caucus Rep. Niki Tsongas (3 rd ) House Natural Resources
Committee Ranking Member Subcommittee on National Parks LWCF 50 th
Anniversary Event Chelmsford Stateside Grantee
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Resources 1. Learn more at www.nrpa.org/Park-Champions 2. Sign
up to become a Park Champion 3. Tool Kits, New Reports and Advocacy
Materials: Child Nutrition Reauthorization LWCF State Assistance
Reauthorization MAP- 21 Reauthorization www.nrpa.org/advocacy/
www.nrpa.org/research-papers/
Park Champion/Advocacy Calendar MARCH March 18 th : March Park
Champion Webinar Breaking Down the Toolkit March 26 th : Park
Champion Issue Webinar (MAP- 21) APRIL April 1st: Park Champion
Issue Webinar (Child Nutrition) April 15 th : April Park Champion
Webinar Planning Your Park Champion Event MAY May 6 th : Park
Champion Issue Webinar (Conservation) May 27 th : May Park Champion
Webinar Speak Like an Advocate JUNE/JULY June 27 th -July 5 th :
Park Champion events SEPTEMBER September 15-17 th : Park Champion
recognition at NRPA Conference in Las Vegas *Please note these
dates may change*
Slide 18
Public Policy Team Jayni Rasmussen, Advocacy and Outreach
Specialist [email protected] 440-522-9162 Kevin OHara, VP of
Urban and Government Affairs [email protected] 202-520-1084 Dave
Tyahla, Senior Government Affairs Manager [email protected]
202-460-0880 THANK YOU!