ADVOCACY Make the Most of Your Summer Programming Invite elected officials to your events and activities By Kyle Simpson Y our agency likely has already begun the process of gearing up for summer. Your summer activity guide may have gone out, you are beginning to hire summer staff and you are performing maintenance on your outdoor pools. In addition to these summer to-do list items, have you considered what summer events or activities you will invite your elected officials to? Summer is a great time to show off your agency to those who impact your budget. Showing elected officials the importance of your park and recreation work to your community is a vital step to ensure they support your department. During the summer months, we know that NRPA members plan and execute a variety of events for their communities. We encourage you to consider the opportunity to educate your member of Congress and other elected officials about the essential nature of parks and rec20 Parks & Recreation | MARCH 2 0 2 3 reation by inviting them to your events. Members of Congress are in Washington, D.C., during most of June and July, but they will be back in your communities in August. Now is a great time to begin outreach to their offices to arrange for a visit upon their return home. | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G Getting Started First, decide what type of event you want to invite your elected officials to. Summer camps and summer meal programs make a great visit. Share the important work you do to keep kids learning, entertained and fed during the summer months. Community festivals and celebrations also make for great visits. Elected officials love the opportunity to meet as many of their constituents as possible during visits. Does your agency run a program geared toward older adults? If so, consider inviting your elected officials to hold a roundtable with the atSummer is a great time to show off your agency to those who impact your budget.