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DAVE TYAHLA SENIOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER Bring Capitol Hill To A Park Near You: Become A Park Champion! Massachusetts Park and Recreation Association Wednesday, March 11, 2015 Amherst, Massachusetts

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Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o3El0

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Public Policy Team Jayni Rasmussen, Advocacy and Outreach Specialist jrasmussen@nrpa.org 440-522-9162 Kevin OHara, VP of Urban and Government Affairs kohara@nrpa.org 202-520-1084 Dave Tyahla, Senior Government Affairs Manager dtyahla@nrpa.org 202-460-0880 THANK YOU!

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What Happened To The Legislative Forum? NRPAs Legislative Forum was an effective annual event that brought parks and recreation officials to Washington, D.C. to tell Congress their stories Even more effective? Empowering parks and recreation officials and citizens to be year-round advocates Instead of relying on stories, advocates can work with their elected officials from their home turf, backing up stories with impactful, real-life experiences

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Who Is A Park Champion? Park Champion: a park and recreation employee or citizen advocate who serves as an ambassador to elected officials for their agency or community

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Expectations Responsive to Park Champion Calls to Action by engaging elected officials and staff via phone calls, letters, sign-ons, social media, and events Host or co-host a member of Congress and/or their staff at an event showcasing your park and recreation agency and program(s) during the week of June 27th-July 5 th Consistently attend monthly webinars Participate in online Park Champion community

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Benefits Develop relationships with your members of Congress Highlight your parks & recreation agency and programs Learn valuable event-planning and advocacy skills Strengthen volunteer support by mobilizing them in advocacy Understand how federal funding affects parks and recreation on a local level Receive recognition at NRPA Conference 2015

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NRPAs Legislative Platform Conservation: LWCF State Assistance Program No Child Left Inside H.R. 882/S. 492 Healthy Kids Outdoors Act Health/Wellness: Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) Summer Meals Act S. 613 Personal Investment Today Act (PHIT) H.R. 1218 Prevention and Public Health Grants (Administered by the CDC) Social Equity: Community Parks Revitalization Act H.R. 201 Community Development Block Grants Transportation: MAP- 21 Reauthorization Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvement Act - H.R. 199

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A Critical Year for Parks and Rec Legislation Important Federal Policy up for Reauthorization: MAP- 21 Expires: May 31, 2015 Webinar: March 26 (New Date) Child Nutrition Reauthorization Expires: September 30, 2015 Webinar: April 1 LWCF State Assistance Expires: September 30, 2015 Webinar: May 6

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Capitol Hill Outlook SENATE

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Key Congressional Committees & MA Members: Health and Wellness Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry House Committee on Agriculture Rep. James P. McGovern (2 nd ) Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Sen. Elizabeth Warren House Committee on Education and the Workforce Rep. Katherine M. Clark (5 th )

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Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Sen. Edward J. Markey House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rep. Michael E. Capuano (7 th ) Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Sen. Elizabeth Warren House Committee on Financial Services Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (8 th ) Rep. Michael E. Capuano (7 th ) Key Congressional Committees & MA Members: Social Equity/Transportation

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Key Congressional Committees & MA Members: Conservation Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Sen. Elizabeth Warren House Natural Resources Committee Rep. Niki Tsongas (3 rd )

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Congressional Champions among MA Delegation Rep. James P. McGovern (2 nd ) House Agriculture Committee Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization Summer Meals Program C0-Chair of Congressional Hunger Caucus Rep. Niki Tsongas (3 rd ) House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Subcommittee on National Parks LWCF 50 th Anniversary Event Chelmsford Stateside Grantee

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Resources 1. Learn more at www.nrpa.org/Park-Champions 2. Sign up to become a Park Champion 3. Tool Kits, New Reports and Advocacy Materials: Child Nutrition Reauthorization LWCF State Assistance Reauthorization MAP- 21 Reauthorization www.nrpa.org/advocacy/ www.nrpa.org/research-papers/

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Advocacy Resources www.nrpa.org/advocacy/ www.nrpa.org/research-papers/

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Park Champion/Advocacy Calendar MARCH March 18 th : March Park Champion Webinar Breaking Down the Toolkit March 26 th : Park Champion Issue Webinar (MAP- 21) APRIL April 1st: Park Champion Issue Webinar (Child Nutrition) April 15 th : April Park Champion Webinar Planning Your Park Champion Event MAY May 6 th : Park Champion Issue Webinar (Conservation) May 27 th : May Park Champion Webinar Speak Like an Advocate JUNE/JULY June 27 th -July 5 th : Park Champion events SEPTEMBER September 15-17 th : Park Champion recognition at NRPA Conference in Las Vegas *Please note these dates may change*

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Public Policy Team Jayni Rasmussen, Advocacy and Outreach Specialist jrasmussen@nrpa.org 440-522-9162 Kevin OHara, VP of Urban and Government Affairs kohara@nrpa.org 202-520-1084 Dave Tyahla, Senior Government Affairs Manager dtyahla@nrpa.org 202-460-0880 THANK YOU!