Answers to other questions about policy that you’re too afraid to ask

Advocacy can seem like a scary word! It’s not as bad as the Kafkaesque implications evoked by the word “lobbying,” but it is a term that’s almost guaranteed to cause anxiety for public employees. Why? Advocacy is a good thing, and yes, as a public employee, you’re allowed to advocate.

What Is Advocacy?

Advocacy can be defined in a few different ways, so here’s a definition of advocacy as a park and recreation professional or community advocate: It’s sharing your knowledge of how parks and recreation impacts the community you serve to inform decision makers about making better public policy. Lobbying is just one, specifically defined form of advocacy, and having a conversation with an elected official does not constitute lobbying.

As a private citizen, it is your First Amendment right to participate in advocacy and express your views on policy and specific legislation. As a public employee, states and municipalities may define their own rules about how public employees can advocate. In general, public employees can liaise with elected officials. However, check with your state or local government to see if there are any specific rules on advocacy.

Lean on Us

If you’re unsure about your ability to advocate, you can rely on NRPA! NRPA can lobby and has developed a legislative platform on your behalf. Preface your conversations with elected officials by recognizing your status as a public employee, but share positions on specific legislation as a member of NRPA. If you’re not sure how to proceed in a discussion, reach out to the NRPA Public Policy team — we’re always available to assist.

NRPA offers several tools and resources to help you advocate. For example, if you’re concerned about using public resources to advocate, try our new texting tool! Text the keyword “PARKS” to the number 52886 to sign up for text alerts from NRPA. We’ll send alerts to your mobile phone, so you can take action in just seconds.

Why Should I Advocate?

NRPA’s Public Policy team works hard to represent you and the field on Capitol Hill. However, we’re not the only ones vying for the attention of members of Congress! Park and recreation professionals aren’t only constituents — they also represent a multitude of constituents that the agency serves. We need you to speak up and share your stories so members of Congress can see why it is important to invest in local parks and recreation. When we send out an action alert asking you to call, email or Tweet your members of Congress, it’s because we need you to make the connection between the policy discussions we’re having on Capitol Hill to the programs impacting real people on the ground.

Educate, Educate, Educate!

The safest way to participate in advocacy as a public employee is to focus on educating elected officials on how policy affects your agency and the community you serve. Now, what better way to teach, than to show and tell? That’s what NRPA’s Park Champion initiative is all about — helping NRPA members across the country to invite their members of Congress along with congressional staff to see, firsthand, their parks and programs at park dedications, program kickoffs, special events and more.

From inviting members of Congress to help pass out meals at your summer or afterschool meal program, to having them cut the ribbon at your park opening, you can provide elected officials with a powerful, memorable experience. These site visits, or Park Champion events, strengthen your relationship with your elected officials and help make the connection between federal policy and your programs without putting too much pressure on you to discuss policy at length. After the event, the NRPA Public Policy team will meet with your member of Congress’ DC office to get “wonky in the weeds” on your behalf.

Use the step-by-step Park Champion Advocacy Toolkit to invite your members of Congress to your next event. If you don’t have anything on your calendar, here are some great ideas for getting your members of Congress out for a visit:

• Demonstrate why the Land and Water Conservation Fund should be reauthorized by having them attend an event at an LWCF-funded park!
• Make the case for child nutrition programs by having them help pass out meals at your summer or afterschool meal program!
• Ag-vocate for parks and recreation in the Farm Bill by having them plant or harvest at your community garden!
• Talk the talk and walk the walk (or bike the bike!) by having them take a hike or bike ride on a federally funded trail project!
• Show the community behind your Community Development Block Grant by giving them a tour of a CDBG-funded park or program!

What If I’m Not a Public Employee?

If you’re a private citizen, it is your First Amendment right to advocate. Nonprofits and their employees are absolutely allowed to participate in advocacy and lobbying, as long as it doesn’t make up the majority of your organization’s activities.

What’s the Question That You’re Too Afraid to Ask?

Do you have a question about policy, advocacy or government that at this point, you’re too afraid to ask? Send your questions to advocacy@nrpa.org, and we’ll answer it on the Open Space blog! There’s no such thing as a dumb question, but we’ll post your question anonymously if you like.

Now that advocacy is a bit more demystified for you, don’t forget to take action!

• Invite your members of Congress to your next event. Visit NRPA's Park Champion Initiative. 
• Send a message to your members of Congress through our action center.
• Sign up for advocacy text alerts from NRPA! Text PARKS to 52886.

Jayni Rasmussen is NRPA’s Advocacy and Outreach Manager.