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John C. Maxwell said that “leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.” To be an effective leader, either as an external-facing head of an agency or an internal force for good, one must learn how to advocate on behalf of their interests and win people’s support.

NRPA’s signature grassroots advocacy training, the Park Champions™ Initiative (PCI), empowers members to be effective advocates for parks and recreation. The eight-week series of trainings, webinars, group exercises and learning modules provides the information, skills and experience needed to mobilize local park and recreation movements sustainably.

“As a longtime recreation and parks professional, and now the executive director for the Maine Recreation and Park Association, I understand the importance of helping my peers to build influential relationships between constituents and government officials at all levels,” says Deb Smith, graduate of the PCI pilot cohort.

The PCI engages and educates members about the importance of actively advocating for their agency and communities, cultivating future industry leaders that will build influential relationships between constituents and government officials at the local, state and federal level.

Another graduate, Steven Maxwell, deputy director of parks, recreation and cultural affairs for the city of South Fulton, Georgia, says he “joined the Park Champions Initiative to become a better advocate for the community and increase [his] understanding of local and state government operations.” Maxwell believes that “to create effective change, we have to champion our efforts and strengthen our position to influence. I’ve become a better communicator with local politicians and effective in my approach to advocate for my agency.”

Building the Park and Recreation Movement

With one cohort complete and the second well underway, the PCI has already reached a diverse group of park and recreation professionals at different stages in their careers. Leaders come from all levels of an organization, not just executive or deputy directors.

Bryanna Fogel, program associate with The Trust for Public Land, states, “I wanted to better advocate for my community. I had experience interning with my local park and recreation department and was studying parks and open space policy at the University of Pennsylvania, so I felt like I had a lot of knowledge, but I was struggling with how to turn that knowledge into action. PCI helped me recognize the existing power in my community and gave me the tools for engagement. It became a lot easier to propose sustainable change once I learned how to connect meaningfully with allies and resident experts who are willing to join the mission.”

NRPA is committed to building the park and recreation movement by investing in its members and their ability to lead their communities. NRPA’s Park Champions are the catalysts for change across the country. To join the movement and take action, please visit the advocacy page on NRPA’s website, subscribe to advocacy alerts and read more about the PCI program. The next cohort is waiting for you!

Asia Simms is Park Champions Initiative Intern at NRPA. Dan McCarthy is Senior Manager of Advocacy at NRPA.