It's time for legislative action - NRPA Perspectives - National Recreation and Park Association lobbies Washington

Parks & Recreation, Jan, 2004 by James A. Donahue

Next month NRPA members will have an in-person opportunity to have their voices heard on Capitol Hill. On Feb. 26, our members from around the country will gather in Washington, D.C., to visit their respective senators and representatives in an effort to persuade them to support funding for parks and recreation issues.

This is a major event for NRPA, but is only one part of our overall public policy efforts. Government affairs is not only of prime importance to our membership today, it has been a cornerstone of the association since its inception in 1965.

Shortly after our founding, leaders retained Booz, Allen and Hamilton Consultants to closely examine our priorities and structure. In part, the study concluded that "the genius of the NRPA and its high hopes for the future lie in its basic concept as a rallying point for all interested components of the United States populace-lay leadership, professional personnel and the ordinary public-spirited citizen." It further observed that "bringing the influence of a powerful civic organization to bear on the processes of public policy formation can well prove to be the most effective and important activity of NRPA." Thirty-seven years later we continue to define and redefine ever-changing public issues while building influence for the benefit of the American people through public recreation and parks.

One goal in our Vision 2010 long-range plan calls on us to "create a membership of citizen/board members and professionals prepared to articulate NRPA's mission, advocate on behalf of the association and its mission and promote quality programs and services." Our advocacy both defends and pleads our causes. We meet this goal by continuing to inform and train citizens and professionals to be better advocates for progressive public policies.

Our diversity of interests is both a strength and a challenge. It forces us to think holistically and to emphasize those areas where public needs appear the greatest, including those of citizens with special needs. We are challenged to determine, among many congressional and presidential proposals, those that will have positive impacts, greater fiscal resources or public services, for example, and those that will be regressive. We must advocate for the values we cherish--quality of life, healthy communities, environmental conservation and active lifestyles. Our advocacy can start in our local communities and expand to the state, regional and national levels.

During the first session of the 108th Congress, we invested substantial time and resources on appropriations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and for urban park restoration, Transportation Enhancements that fund pedestrian and bikeways and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Recently, we were able to reverse House Appropriations Committee action and, in a resounding victory, restore $600 million for enhancements investments in fiscal year 2004. One key legislator observed: "NRPA played a pivotal role in gaining widespread support for the amendment to restore funding. This effort was led by NRPA citizens and professionals, state affiliates, elected leadership, staff, and other partners." Our calls to action also played a critical role providing $1 billion in funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and to deflect assaults on appropriations for key state and local public land project development grant programs. Far greater effort and involvement is required if we are to meet demonstrated needs.

NRPA's Public Policy office is charged with recommending to the Board of Trustees positions on current and future national issues in parks and recreation. Tire committee is composed of citizens and professionals that have a strong interest in and commitment to public policy development and enhancement.

The public policy staff often proposes statements that define views and preferred outcomes on key issues. Since 1990 our public policy staff has produced more than 25 policy statements covering key areas of health and active recreation, youth development and childcare, gender equity, volunteer protection, environment stewardship and energy conservation.

Beyond policy development and advocacy, our association is engaged in many related actions. With the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for example, we have "a strategic partnership to achieve national health goals expressed in Healthy People 2010."

Our RecreAction advocacy software has facilitated 2,000 electronic messages to 400 congressional offices in every state. It has prompted perhaps thousands of direct in-district visits. Staff has launched grassroots campaigns on at least six critical issues through some 20 messages. Our Web site, www.nrpa.org, will get you to RecreAction.

One NRPA presupposes that we are ready, willing and able to function with one voice, one mission. Public policy is a key area where this "one voice--one mission" is critical to our short and long term success. Advocacy is everyone's responsibility.