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Politics Is Not a Dirty Business
When talking about politics, we often hold the twofold myth: Politics is an unethical profession. Involvement in politics is unnecessary for park and recreation professionals and citizen board members. Neither could be further from the truth. Parks are created by politics. As park and recreation professionals and citizen board members, we have a right and responsibility to participate in the political process. Politics is not beneath us. We need to see it as a means to an end. Our political system sets policies that affect us. We will achieve our collective goals not by shunning political action, but by understanding it. Most legislators are well-educated, dedicated individuals who have made a commitment to serve their constituents, state and country. Their decisions affect our lives and our agencies. You have a right to be heard by politicians and lobby for your interests. If you choose not to use this right, then you must accept the decisions that politicians make on your behalf. Our challenge is to move from political neophytes to political warriors. We must be active, rather than reactive, in dealing with political issues. We are in a people business, satisfying an intrinsic need of human beingsthe need to enjoy life to its fullest through recreation and to preserve our natural resources for future generations. We must communicate these values in the political arena. No one will do it for us. In the political process, the citizen's voice is clout. Let us always keep in mind that it is the concerned citizens, not the paid professionals, who can exert the greatest influence at city hall, the statehouse and the nation's capital as proponents for parks and recreation.
Political Involvement - Why Bother? In 2002 only 78.7 million Americans cast votes in the mid-term election, for a participation rate of 39.3 percent. Election turnout is regarded as an important measure of the general health of the country's political system. Analysts cite low attendance in recent years as a key indicator of widespread alienation and disenchantment within the electorate. What the electorate does not realize is that their lethargy gives even more political power to those who are involved in the process. Decisions are made by those who are involved. If we don't participate, someone will make our decisions for us. If the American Medical Association, Home Builders Association, American Bar Association, National Realtors Association, the Manufacturers Association, the National Recreation and Park Association, the Library Association and the AFL-CIO have anything in common, it is the desire of their membership that the association advocate for them. In fact, the primary activity of associations in America is political advocacy. In Illinois there are more than 1,500 organizations represented by some 3,200 professional lobbyists. These groups differ, however, on how to influence the political process. For many organizations cash is the basis for their influence. For park and recreation agencies, personal contacts 6 | Illinois Parks and Recreation POLITICS IS NOT A DIRTY BUSINESS
are the currency of our political power. That's where you come into the picture. You can make contact and get your legislator involved in your park district, forest preserve or recreation agency. When legislators understand what your agency does for their constituents, they are more likely to safeguard the needs of park, recreation and conservation agencies. Getting Legislators Involved Build and strengthen relationships with lawmakers. Keep in contact with them. Write them letters, put them on your mailing lists, invite them to events, visit them, phone them. You might also consider activities like these: Provide recognition and publicity for a legislator who assists your agency in working toward a goal. Provide your legislator with a calendar of your agency's meeting dates and extend an open invitation to attend any meeting. Follow-up with a courtesy reminder call about the meeting each month. Work for candidates who support legislation favorable to our field. No greater connection to your legislators can be created than through helping with their elections. Donate money. Donate time. Organize activities, stuff envelopes, ring doorbells, etc. Give legislators opportunities both during the campaign season and the off-season to be present at agency functions and events. Invite your legislators to the annual legislative conference reception and the annual legislative awareness day golf outing. Be mindful, however, to approach your fellow public servants carefully. When you attempt to involve a legislator in local activities, consider the following: 1. A legislator's time is at a premium. Make arrangements through his or her local office well in advance. Follow through on a regular basis to confirm attendance. Leave the schedule flexible enough to accommodate minor changes. 2. Government officials greatly depend on publicity. The best payment is to provide extensive press coverage. Assistance is usually available from their offices. 3. Cooperate with legislators' staffs well enough in advance so legislators are prepared for their audience. 4. Be sure that any information presented to the legislator is accurate. Your involvement as citizen board members is critical to the success of the parks and recreation field. Work at keeping in touch with your legislators. Speak with a forceful and united voice on issues confronting the parks and recreation field. Learn to work with legislators and respect their philosophies and goals. Create a relationship in which they respect you. For more information on legislative advocacy, contact the IAPD at 217-523-4554.
July/August 2003 | 7 |
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