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You make the difference

You make the difference. Advocacy training for Conservation District leaders. Made possible through the generous support of the Walton Family Foundation. AdVOCACY. What does it mean to be an “advocate”?. WHY BOTHER WITH ADVOCACY?. You are leaders You are the voices of local conservation

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You make the difference

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  1. You make the difference Advocacy training for Conservation District leaders Made possible through the generous support of the Walton Family Foundation NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  2. AdVOCACY What does it mean to be an “advocate”? NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  3. WHY BOTHER WITH ADVOCACY? • You are leaders • You are the voices of local conservation • Your voice matters • It is your responsibility • If not you, then who? NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  4. Advocacy training key categories • Leadership expectations • Political engagement • Impacting policy decisions—local, state, national • Working & Building Relationships with Lawmakers • Shaping public opinion • Gaining positive media coverage • Building relationships with media • Developing and expanding partnerships NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  5. Why we are here... NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  6. NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  7. Dust bowl impacts • Hundreds of thousands uprooted • “Dust pneumonia” and other illnesses • By 1934: 100 million acres no longer had enough topsoil for crops NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  8. “Take care of the land and the land will take care of you.” NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  9. Private Lands Agency • 1933 – Soil Erosion Service • 1935 – Soil Conservation Service • 1994 – Natural Resources Conservation Service • Today’s NRCS: 11,000 employees 2,800 field offices

  10. Local Input and Guidance • 1937 – President Roosevelt sends out model conservation district law • Brown Creek, N.C., becomes first conservation district • 1946 – NACD founded NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  11. WHY WE ARE HERE Today: • 3,000 conservation districts • 17,000 elected or appointed district officials • 7,000-plus district employees • 50-plus state and territorial associations NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  12. Why we are here • Nearly three-fourths of the continental U.S. is in private ownership. • Active, voluntary support from landowners is key to success of conservation work on private land. NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  13. WHY WE ARE HERE • 9 billion people by 2050 • Dramatic increases in food production • How will we do that…and protect air, soil, water, wildlife? NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  14. WHY WE ARE HERE Will we make the difference? NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  15. WHY WE ARE HERE The answer is right here in this room Coon Valley, Wisconsin NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  16. Leadership expectations You make the difference NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  17. Leadership expectations • Advocate for and engage in private lands conservation on agricultural, forest and urban lands • Establish local priorities and set goals • Provide technical assistance, education, outreach and many other services NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  18. LEADERSHIp expectations: today Today’s Challenges -- • Demand for services: More customers than time • More competition for local, state, federal resources • Need for innovative solutions NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  19. LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS An oath of office is more than just a formality. It is a pact between a person and the organization he or she will serve:OATH OF OFFICE: “The promissory oath required by law of an officer upon qualifying for his or her office in which he or she promises faithfully to perform the duties of the office and makes all other declarations or promises required by law.” (Merriam Webster) *Handout No. 1 NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  20. What is leadership? "It takes leaders to grow other leaders.” -- Ray Blunt, author NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  21. What is leadership Leadership Video: http://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership.html (TED.com – “Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership”) NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  22. What is leadership? Group exercise NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  23. What is leadership? • What are the top priorities your district should be communicating? • What are the hurdles that prevent you from getting your message across? • How can your district overcome those hurdles and be more effective in getting your message across? NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  24. Leadership includesPROACTIVE advocacy Keys to effective boards and staff: • Strong and well-defined board/staff relationships • Shared commitment to mission • Agreement on priorities: What are your district priorities? • Fulfilling proper roles • Constant and clear communication • Unified internal procedures NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  25. What is leadership? Group exercise NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  26. What is leadership? 1) Setting long-term goals 2) Determining community needs 3) Having the final say when determining yearly objectives 4) Monitoring and managing daily operations 5) Ensuring the mission of the conservation district is adhered to 6) Finalizing budgets and allocating funds 7) Approving any changes or additions outside the budget (Continued…) What is the proper role for the conservation district Board member? (Check all that apply) NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  27. What is leadership? 8) Taking responsibility for the district’s financial records 9) Implementing board decisions 10) Employing staff, setting compensation, and evaluating performance 11) Providing information to the board, including recommendations for action 12) Supporting the board's planning function 13) Taking ultimate responsibility for all legal matters (Continued…) What is the proper role for the conservation district Board member? (Check all that apply) NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  28. What is leadership? 14) Conducting day-to-day financial operations 15) Taking ultimate responsibility for compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g., audit) 16) Operating programs and reporting on their successes and shortcomings 17) Managing Committees 18) Managing Volunteers What is the proper role for the conservation district Board member? (Check all that apply) NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  29. What is leadership? Questions… • What are your top three priorities as a Board? • What is the greatest strength that contributes to, and the biggest challenge standing in the way of, an effective relationship between your board and staff? NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  30. POLItical engagement You make the difference NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  31. Political engagement Areas we’ll cover: • Brief civics refresher • Effective advocacy tips • Taking positions on issues • Staying informed • Using NACD’s resources NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  32. Political engagement We are a representative democracy: Representative democracy is founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people. NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  33. Political engagement • To be represented, you must be heard • To be heard, you must speak • To speak well, you need to know your group’s message NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  34. POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT Group exercise NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  35. POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT List the specific policy areas for which your district or association does, or should, have position statements? (examples: water quality, invasive species, technical assistance, etc.) NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  36. POLItiCAL ENGAGEMENT Now what? NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  37. Political engagement Creating a Position: • Educate board, association on issues • Seek consensus on position • Must be consistent with your mission, values • Leadership must adopt • Now you have something to advocate *Handout No. 2 NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  38. Political engagement The Consensus-making Process: 1) Understand what it means to give consent 2) Clearly outline what needs to be decided 3) List all the concerns participants want their proposal to address Continued… *Handout No. 2 NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  39. Political engagement The Consensus-making Process, continued: 4) Test the Waters 5) Reach a final decision 6) Implement the decision *Handout No. 2 NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  40. Political engagement Example Position Statement: “Our SWCD strongly believes America needs a Farm Bill. Farm Bill conservation programs are vital to land and water stewardship at a time when American agriculture is under pressure to feed a growing world population.” NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  41. Political engagement Getting the word out… At the national level, we have the “Principal Legislative Contact” process *Handout #3 NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  42. Political engagement Concerns How to address Provide right materials and encouragement Important, but CD success depends on laws, policies, public opinion Others more than willing to fill the void • “I’m not good at selling” • We have other priorities, like fundraising • Not enough time NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  43. Political engagement:Resolutions Process *Handout No. 4 NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  44. Political engagement: Stay informed (202) 547-6223 – NACD www.nacdnet.org NACD Action Alerts NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  45. Impacting policy decisions You make the difference NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  46. Political advocacy: Impacting POLICY Decisions • Build personal relationships (local, state & federal) • Stay in regular communication • Get to know their legislative staff (continued…) NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  47. Political advocacy: Impacting POLICY Decisions • Attend local county board and municipal meetings • Keep them informed on the issues • Consider contributing to or volunteering on a campaign NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  48. Political advocacy: Impacting POLICY Decisions How to Keep them Informed: • Email • Phone • Personal Contact (Don’t just have a problem, have a solution) *Handout #5 NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  49. Impacting policy decisions Tips for meetings with policymakers DO: • Schedule your appointment well in advance • Be punctual for your meeting • Dress appropriately for the occasion • Prepare adequate materials, handouts and a brief “leave-behind” *Handout No. 6 NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

  50. Impacting policy decisions Tips for meetings with policymakers DO: • Stay focused on your issue • Provide relevant, specific examples from the legislator’s home district • Follow up after your meeting to answer any questions or unresolved issues *Handout No. 6 NACD ADVOCACY TRAINING

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