Laserfiche WebLink
· SHIP <br /> .'BOAR, r/)MAN ... <br /> gecomi i i Political Advocates <br /> Dy Dr. 'fed Flickinger, .~a~ative Director Illinois A~ocintion of Park Districts <br /> ~ cit~n ~ mem~d ~ movingly rely on mfo~mion o~ered <br />~ ~d r~c~ion profe~i~,~you by ~o~ who ~ve ex~ni~ on ~e subject <br />~ve a ~o~t n~t ~d ~sibihtv con.ed m ~e pro~d legislation. <br />p~icipate m <br />~w a right to <br />lobby for vo~ mteres <br /> <br /> Politics is the motivat~g force oF <br />democracy. P,o.l,ucs is far tm) in~)~>rt~t to <br /> <br />~lon professions ~ ~ <br /> <br />~li~ies i~ ~ ~ pr°f~sio~ ~d (2) <br />mvo~vemenl ~ ~iiti~S is ~~' for <br />~k ~d reere~ion professi~ ~d <br /> <br />~lities. You m~ ~eome ~vo~d ~ <br />~litics. ~ere is <br />~lmcs. It s p~i~ ~lmcs ~b~r~ you <br /> <br /> O~ ~]iti~ sy~em ~ ~blic <br />~licies ~d pfiohti~s w~b~a~ct ~ <br />~'e ~51i ae~eve o~ ~ll~ti~e ~O~s ~o~ <br /> <br />~titia~ me~ ~ove~e~t fo~~ ~a ~ass ef <br /> <br /> J~ r~mem~t, ~v~t is <br /> <br />~z~ ~d far feazes. ~i~l~on ~511 <br /> <br />about the future darection of parks, <br />recreation and conse~'ation to decide that <br />we mus~ affect the political process. We <br />need to rccogmzc that the political process <br />is a means to an cad ~nd a forum for <br />constant change which we need to be <br />aware of, revolved in, and exert influence <br />upon. <br /> Work with your legislators to <br />advance parks, recreation and conserva- <br />tion. Work at keeping m touch with your <br />legislators. Accept your legislators as <br />professionals. Accept them as decision- <br />makers who have a tremendous bearing on <br />your lives. Learn to work with them and to <br />respect their philosophies and goals. I <br />have found mosl legislators to be well <br />educated and truly dedicated individuals <br />who ~ve made a strong commitment te <br />serve theiy constituents, state, and counu3'. <br />Respect them. Create ~- relationship in <br />which they respect you, <br /> We will solve our problems today <br />when we re-establish our identity, our <br />pride, and our determination to affect the <br />politir, al system. We mu.m, raise, not lower, <br />our expectations ... l~se, no! lower, our <br />lobbing efforts ... raise, not lower, our <br />determin~aion to succeed. <br /> Our chzltenge is to move from <br />politica~ neophytes to p~IitJr, a] warriors. <br />We mu.~, change, and we must cha-uge <br />rapidly. We must h~ve the corn-age a.ud the <br />ru~nin~, as well as the ku~owledge, to be <br />active, rather th;m rea:tire, to politir~xl <br />issueL We musl become ambassadors for <br />the park, recreation and conservation <br />mission. We mum he,me spokes'persons, <br /> <br /> continued poge 6 ~oardm~nship <br /> <br /> <br />