February 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 23

In these times of sociopolitical polarities, resistance to
what we have to say shouldn't surprise us. While those
within our profession may largely hold these truths to
be self-evident, our proclamations about the value of
parks, their essential nature, social equity, equal access
and the need for increased funding (among many others) are not universally well-received.
All our advocacy needs to be supported by education, documentation, data and sound reasoning. But
even if we can make an unassailable case for our cause,
our communication cannot begin to be effective until
it becomes two-way, in an open exchange of ideas,
perspectives and other viewpoints, and both parties
achieve better understanding - and, perhaps, transformed behaviors and policies. This is not a job for the
faint of heart!
The same day I received that voicemail, the PRPS
staff were engaged in a professional training centered
on leadership types and communication styles. We
all gained deeper insights about ourselves and how
to better understand each other. Even though we already work very well together, I found it very interesting that, out of the nine of us, we display eight
different communication styles. And that's among
people who agree on a lot, have a lot in common and
even like each other!
Which brings us back to my angry caller, and the
next time we meet active - even hostile - resistance.
How can we even begin to facilitate an effective conversation?
I certainly don't have all the answers (after all, I am
a recovering hothead myself!). But, I will leave you
with this valuable tool in the Communications Guide
(tinyurl.com/y8ddnfc4) from the Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) that I recently picked
up. While it's presented within the framework of racial
equity, the technique can work in all areas of conflict.
As you know, people who are fighting aren't communicating. The acronym is ACT:
Affirm - Begin by affirming core values that your
listener or audience shares with this effort. Reinforce
the idea that we're all in this together.
Counter - Explain the challenge, focusing on the
institutional and structural drivers that have created
and maintained racial inequity. Be explicit about race,
contrasting reality with the vision and values you've
shared. Use facts and stories to persuade your listener
of the reality and importance of the problem.

If we continue to ACT, we can
continue to accelerate a more
equitable future for all those
we serve.
Transform - Start with heart, reiterate that we're all
in this together, and offer your audience or listener a
concrete step they can take, or we can take together, to
transform our current reality into the vision we share.
If we continue to ACT, we can continue to accelerate
a more equitable future for all those we serve.
Editor's Note: The above originally appeared as a post on
NRPA's Open Space Blog. To read the original text published
on November 18, visit nrpa.org/blog/staging-a-new-act.
Tim Herd, CPRE, is the CEO of the Pennsylvania Recreation and
Park Society and a Member of Parks & Recreation magazine's
Editorial Advisory Board (herd@prps.org).

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2 1 | Parks
& Recreation

http://www.nrpa.org/blog/staging-a-new-act https://www.racialequityalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1-052018-GARE-Comms-Guide-v1-1.pdf https://www.mostdependable.com

February 2021 - Parks & Recreation

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