Ten Critical Advocacy Tips |
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Thursday, 24 May 2007 |
- Be persistent
- The skatepark process can easily take years of hard work. At times the progress
will come quickly, while at others it may seem completely stalled. Stay committed
and be persistent. Communities all over the nation are doing the same thing under
more difficult conditions, so stay positive and stick with it.
- Keep Records
- At the beginning of your efforts, assemble a binder of notes from meetings,
useful articles, copies of presentations, and contact lists so you aren’t
working against yourself when you need that information. Do not neglect to
track your hours as well, as they may come in handy later during fundraising.
- Maintain Good Communication
- Enthusiasm and interest can go up and down within your group. Share your
findings, coordinate projects, and solicit feedback within your group to keep
people engaged.
- Pay Attention
- Meetings with parks department employees and city bureaucrats can frequently
reveal important details about the process you’re trying to navigate. Listen
carefully when speaking with people who may be able to help.
- Be Prepared
- Always have a pen and paper handy when you anticipate an encounter with anyone
associated with your project. It also helps to have business cards of your own
to quickly distribute at meetings.
- Educate Yourself
- Find out as much as you can about skatepark design, construction, and civic
projects. Although it may seem daunting at first, you’ll find that the more
you learn, the easier it is to learn.
- Help Others
- When you demonstrate a willingness to help out other citizen action groups,
you will find that they will similarly be more inclined to help you.
- Maintain a Calendar
- Missing crucial meetings will quickly erode your credibility. It’s much better
to show up unprepared than to be absent. Carefully keep a calendar of upcoming
events, meetings, and public hearings and attend them consistently.
- Be "That Person"
- You’ll need to establish yourself and your group as experts on skatepark
matters. If you don’t know the answer for something, say that you’ll find out.
When you do know the answer, communicate it with conviction. Over time, you
and your group will be the regional experts when it comes to skateparks.
- Get Help
- When you’re at the end of your rope, talk to an expert. There are lots of
skatepark advocates who want to help you get your park built; you just need
to find them. Skaters for Public Skateparks is a great place to start.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 September 2007 )
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