Suits pushing playgrounds. (Citizen-Board Member Branch).Can you picture business leaders lobbying for more state spending on early care and education? Sound unlikely? That's why it's effective, say children's advocates who have been working to enlist en·list v. en·list·ed, en·list·ing, en·lists v.tr. 1. To engage (persons or a person) for service in the armed forces. 2. To engage the support or cooperation of. v. these unlikely allies. Last spring, Kinko's founder Paul Orfalea Paul Orfalea (Arabic: بول أورفاليا), nicknamed "Kinko" because of his curly red hair, born in Los Angeles, California to parents of Lebanese decent, founded the copy-chain testified in support of child care spending before the California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). Assembly's Budget Committee. "It was the first time a corporate person testified in a legislative hearing for child care," says Patty Siegel, executive director of the Child Care Resource and Referral Network. "I think people really noticed." According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the Action Alliance for Children, in the last few years, more business leaders have been getting involved in advocacy for child care, after-school care and other children's issues. * In Massachusetts, executives of many of the state's largest companies have been among the leaders of the Early Education for All campaign, which recently filed legislation calling for universal preschool
* In Florida, dozens of the largest corporations have committed their lobbyists to spend "An Hour a Week for Kids," talking with legislators about children's issues. The state Chamber of Commerce Leadership Council has made early education a priority issue for the year. * A year-old national organization, Corporate Voices for Working Families, including 32 Fortune 500 companies such as Marriott and Abbott Laboratories Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) is a diversified pharmaceuticals and health care company. It has over 65,000 employees and operates in 130 countries. The corporate headquarters are in Abbott Park, Illinois, a neighborhood of North Chicago, Illinois. , in November issued a briefing paper, "Early Learning and After School," and plans meetings on universal preschool with federal legislators and the White House. Work with business leaders to maintain and increase support for parks and recreation. A few tips: * Think long-term. Promote the outcomes of high-quality programs (health, reduced crime and violence, improved environment, heritage). * Start with a few business leaders. Their friends will follow. * Use data. Check www.nrpa.org for facts and figures to make your case. * Use business leaders' time sparingly spar·ing adj. 1. Given to or marked by prudence and restraint in the use of material resources. 2. Deficient or limited in quantity, fullness, or extent. 3. Forbearing; lenient. and strategically. Remember, political and business leaders need to get credit to get visibility. * Clearly articulate articulate /ar·tic·u·late/ (ahr-tik´u-lat) 1. to pronounce clearly and distinctly. 2. to make speech sounds by manipulation of the vocal organs. 3. to express in coherent verbal form. 4. the business case for parks and recreation. Talk about economic development, tourism, improved productivity, professional development. * Have a clear message--how this benefits the community--and clear action steps for them. How are their skills and assets going to be maximized? |
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