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2. Politics in Park and Recreation Win-Win is the Outcome

3. Who are Politicians? • How do you define politics? • Simply a process…. • Are you a politician? • Can you pick out a politician in a crowd? • Why would you want to be a politician? • What do they know that I don’t? • What is the role of politics in our society? • Began with our Constitution • How does one link parks into politics? • Partisan or not? • Ask why, not who or what • Value of term limits • “Need to know the players and why they are in the Game.”

4. Seeking the Win-Win • Know your community and all of its’ components • Leadership and not control-there is a difference • Structure of the system-know it • All politics start at HOME! • What are the issues affecting your community? • What role do you play? • “Main event compass” is the navigator in a political environment

5. Getting there • How to be political-not run for political office • Be factual • In political environments, pay it forward • Treat people with dignity and respect • Be articulate and eloquent • Know the players-personality matters • Identify and communicate the value of parks and recreation • Is their opportunity that you don’t readily see? • Passion is infective and effective • Influence people using whatever legitimate means possible • The means justify the end • Live by values and lead with integrity • Trust, once lost, can never be regained • The political process is controlled by negotiation and diplomacy

6. Diplomacy • Diplomacy is the employment of tact to gain strategic advantage or to find mutually acceptable solutions to a common challenge, one set of tools being the phrasing of statements in a non-confrontational, or polite manner. • There are no official or formal procedures for such proceedings. They were generally accepted to abide by general principles and protocols. • Often resolved through open discussion on methods, principles, and findings. • In a political setting, diplomacy is the first step towards win-win. • Tactful strategy is the key to successful negotiation but is often overlooked as an effective tool.

7. The art of negotiation • Knowing the win-win starts at the beginning-what is the expected outcome? • Four principles of negotiation • Strength in Leverage--Who possesses the leverage, will be the strongest negotiator. • Transactional Relationship--Parties must have a transactional relationship, i.e., you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Without the ability to give and take, you have no negotiation. • Do you have a story to tell that will convince others to buy-in? You must be able to convince others that the outcome is worth the effort of the negotiation. Without convincing others, you cannot sell the outcome • Negotiations fail if both parties were losers in previous negotiations. If results were not fair and acceptable, then one party will seek revenge

8. Advocacy Strategies • Know the issues • Resources – know where to find them • Who to ask when help is needed • The value of participating • Forums • Agency recognition • Know the elected delegation • Meetings-do I want to attend? • Events-I better attend! • Who’s the hero?? • Who’s on first?

9. Developing Advocates • What’s your role? • Look for partners in all the odd places • How do you attract other advocates? • Can you fight city Hall? • Are advocates necessary? Why? • What makes people get involved? • Can you motivate? • What are motivators? • Dignity and respect is always the best approach

10. What’s Next? • Elected folks are just people • Be political, not a politician • Show respect for the position • Leadership=Who, What, Where, When, and Why • Walk-the-talk • Live by values • Celebrate successes • You’re in it for the long haul! • The win is two-sided, the loss is always one sided and never forgotten • Friendships last over a lifetime • Parks Make Life Better Slide show posted on: http://www.caprcbm.org/Publications.html