The following article is excerpted from a forthcoming book
authored by IAPD Executive Director Dr. Ted Flickinger, CAE.

BOARDMANSHIP... Board member public relations By Dr. Ted Flickinger, CAE IAPD Executive Director and Managing Editor

Park, recreation and conservation boards cannot operate in a vacuum. A smooth functioning relationship with other governmental bodies, civic and fraternal groups and business organizations is essential if the board and agency are to remain effective, and if citizens are to receive the maximum for their tax dollars.

Success in this area of inter- and multi-agency coordination has been realized by park districts where there is excellent teamwork between the well-trained citizen board and a knowledgeable chief executive officer (director) and professional staff. The board and chief executive officer (CEO) should work to develop cooperative programs with other public, private, voluntary, church, commercial, and industrial agencies concerned with recreation, parks and conservation services.

In addition, park and recreation agencies should coordinate and cooperate with local school authorities in joint planning, financing, acquisition, programming and maintenance to insure effective and efficient community services. (Write Naperville Park District for information on relations with schools and Rockford Park District for information on relations with other businesses and organizations.)

Local Real Estate Agents

It has become readily apparent that people want golf courses, parks, natural areas, and recreational sites relatively close to their residences. Real estate agents attest to the fact that parks and recreation are in the top three, or at least top five, criteria used by homeowners in selecting a location to live. Therefore, real estate agents request fact sheets, program brochures and other information from the local park and recreation agency.

The perceptions that real estate agents have about an agency might very well influence a newly arrived resident. Therefore, the real estate agent will use parks and recreation as a selling point in communities where the perception is favorable.

It is important that parks, recreation and conservation agencies build positive relations with local real estate agents. Public relation efforts communicate the values of your agency. Without good services and facilities, it is difficult, if not impossible, to have an effective public relations program.

There are a variety of methods or techniques to use in working with local real estate agents. Some suggestions include:

1. send each agency an informational packet and fact sheet describing the park, recreation or conservation agency, its services, areas, facilities, and history.
2. hold special open houses with a reception only for real estate agents or combined with the local chamber of commerce and related organizations.
3. send seasonal programs, pamphlets or brochures to the agents' offices.
4. forward agency newsletters.
5. share information about the economic significance of parks, recreation and conservation with local real estate firms and other businesses.
6. include park, recreation and conservation information in "Welcome Wagon" packets.
7. survey local agents about their perceptions of the park, recreation and conservation agency.
8. show slide, tape or video presentations (similar to the Gold Medal Award Program) to local realtors at one of their luncheons or at a special meeting.
9. conduct agent tours of sites and facilities.
10. host a meeting at a local home, or at a board member's home, for selected agents. Perhaps several board members could cover the city or an area by hosting specific meetings at various homes.

This is a sampling of ideas. What are you doing in addition to the above? Let me hear from you.