Session Title: (535) The Pursuit of Dedicated Funding

Session Type: Education Session Talk
Topic(s): Public Policy and Advocacy, Revenue Development
Funding

Day/Time: Thursday - Block 6
10/12/2023 09:00 AM (Central Time (US & Canada)) - 10/12/2023 10:00 AM (Central Time (US & Canada))

Room: D Ballroom Section 3

Audience Experience Level: Any level
Audience Familiarity with DEI: Any Level
CEU: 0.1

Description:
One of the biggest challenges faced by park and recreation agencies is being in a difficult position as a highly valued public service that is near or at the bottom of the public funding priorities. This forces agencies to be resourceful, creative and scrappy, while also creating cultural and organizational challenges that can be crushing at times. One of the most important things an agency can do is thoughtfully pursue dedicated and/or protected funding sources that are renewable and reliable, allowing the agency to be forward-looking and strategically proactive, not dictated by the tyranny of urgency.

This session talks about the role that systematic planning and advocacy efforts play in the pursuit of dedicated funding. We will reference specific examples including, but not limited to, the cadence of planning and advocacy efforts pursued by Texas State Parks from 2006 to 2019 to attain constitutionally protected funding.

Learning Objectives:
1. After attending this session, attendees should be able to identify relevant planning opportunities their agency can pursue to improve their financial position.
2. After attending this session, attendees should be able to understand the role and value of volunteer advocates and advisory groups in planning and political processes.
3. After attending this session, attendees should be able to evaluate where their agency is in its financial security.

Speaker(s):

Brian Trusty
Rodney Franklin