February 2010 - Parks & Recreation - 24

ADVOCACY UPDATE continued from page 21

also want to thank your legislator for their
service and any past support.
Be Prepared
■■ Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the
issue you want to discuss. As an advocate
you are educating your legislator on the
specifics of the issues you want them to
address. Please refer to the advocacy section of the NRPA website at www.nrpa.org
or contact the NRPA Public Policy office
at (202)887-0290 for reference materials
and additional information.
■■ NRPA will provide you with fact sheets,
one-pagers, and other material for you to
leave behind with your legislator. However, nothing makes an impact on legislators more than real-life stories about
how constituents in the legislator's district have benefited from the programs
on the NRPA Platform. Come equipped
with examples of how these programs
have made an impact in your state and
local community and also discuss future

Be Political
■■ Legislators want to represent the best interests of their district or state. Wherever
possible, demonstrate the connection between what you are requesting and the interests of the member's constituency. One
of the most important things you can do to
make the issue relevant is localize it. Highlight examples from your agency and community, and discuss issues in the context
of local places that people care about. If
possible, describe how you or your group
can be of assistance. Where it is appropriate, remember to ask for a commitment.
Also, do some research on the recreational
interests of your Member of Congress or
Senator (Is your Congressman a biker or
golfer?) and include this in your discussion.

projects that are planned.
■■ Be familiar with your Congressman's
stance on key issues.
■■ Be Prompt, Patient, and Polite
■■ Meet or at least talk to your entire party
before going into the meeting so that you
are all on the same page and are aware
of everyone's role in the meeting.
■■ When it's time to meet with a member
of Congress be punctual, patient and polite. It is not uncommon for a legislator to
be late, or to have a meeting interrupted,
due to their crowded schedule. If interruptions do occur, be flexible. When the
opportunity presents itself continue your
meeting with a member's staff.
■■ Never threaten your legislator or insult

other members of Congress.
overstay your welcome. If the
legislator is enjoying the meeting and
lets if run over, fine. But be prepared
to complete your agenda in the time
allotted.

Be Responsive
prepared to answer questions or
provide additional information. While it is
important to know the substance of an issue, you are not expected to know all the

■■ Don't

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■■ Be

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Circle 14 on product information form on PAGE 70

22 Parks & Recreation

February 2010

www.NRPA .ORG

February 2010 - Parks & Recreation

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