c ontinuing advocacy at home

continuing advocacy at home NRPA Legislative Forum March 27– 29, 2012 Presented by Roslyn Johnson and Brian Knapp

continuing advocacy at home • 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?

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

continuing advocacy at home • 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 • 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

continuing advocacy at home • 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 • 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.”

continuing advocacy at home • 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 JohnsonDivision ChiefMaryland - National Capital Park and Planning Commission roslyn.johnson@pgparks.com Brian Knapp Board of Directors, NRPA Chairman of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority bknapp@cohengroup.net

c ontinuing advocacy at home