Chapter 2: Advocacy

SAMPLE LETTER
Here's an idea for a letter to City Hall.

Tone And Language
Always present the skatepark vision as an inevitable and successful project, whether the focus is a small neighbor-hood skate spot or a citywide system of skateparks with diverse sizes and styles. These skateparks will happen, so it’s unnecessary to talk about “if” the skatepark will be built. This is a good habit to begin right now. When the skatepark or skateparks are presented as inevitable new facilities, it encourages the listener to accept the idea rather than consider whether or not it’s worthwhile. If a person feels resistant to the entire proposal, let them be the ones to raise any negative views. A positive tone of voice and affirmative language will help endear the skatepark concept to listeners. Enthusiastically supporting the idea of a skatepark is a fundamental task of the busy skatepark advocate. As an advocate, you will need your vision to appeal to every new person who comes to a meeting undecided (and presumably) uninformed about the skatepark.

SAMPLE LETTER
Here's an idea for a letter to Congress.

The delivery of a presentation is almost as important as the language. While the written and spoken words should always be positive and constructive, the person delivering the message should look like an individual capable of implementing that vision. Creating a positive first impression is essential, and one should consider what kind of response is desired. Presenting oneself as a spokesperson for skateboarders who feels very strongly about their welfare and safety is a very effective strategy. This describes a person who is contrary to what many people expect skateboarders to be, and if the language is powerful, people from all walks of life will come to understand what an important facility the skatepark will become.

The language of inevitability combined with an appear-ance that doesn’t distract or work against the positive message will have a powerful, positive impact on how the audience responds to the skatepark concept. At some point along this process the skatepark will actually become inevitable. People everywhere will quit talking about “why” and start saying “where” or “how big” or “what kind of design?”