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Toolbox for Pedestrian Advocates
A resource binder
Available from:
America Walks
Old City Hall
45 School Street, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Contents
1 Introduction
2 How Advocates can Change Transportation Policy
3 Successful Advocacy Activities and Programs
4 First Steps to Organizing a Pedestrian Advocacy
Group
5 What's Your Mission?
6 Communications
7 Thriving and Growing
8 Resources
Description
1 Introduction
TheToolbox for Pedestrian Advocates
is a compilation of articles about aspects of advocacy and
samples of materials from assorted groups around the country.
Thanks to the many groups who have allowed us to reproduce
their materials.
This Toolbox is a work in progress sponsored by America Walks,
the national coalition of pedestrian advocates. If you have
comments or suggestions for improvement, let us know at info@americawalks.org!
Contents
Introduction to Pedestrian
Advocacy (PDF)
The Ten Essentials of Pedestrian
Advocacy (PDF)
Walk Tall: A Citizen's Guide to Walkable Communities
2 How Advocates can
Change Transportation Policy
The key to changing transportation policy and planning is
to learn your community's decision-making process and then
effectively insert yourself into that process. In this section
we've provided some information about the federal-level framework
for transportation policy and planning, along with samples
of letters written by local pedestrian advocacy groups and
public testimony.
Using the media to get attention to your issues is another way to effect change. This section also includes information on writing news releases.
Contents:
Transportation Policy and Planning Framework
Sample short letter
Sample letter with very detailed comments
Sample letter of support for another organization
Sample public testimony
Sample "white paper"
Working with the media
Sample news release
Sample opinion piece
Speaking in public
What Makes Politicians Jump?
3
Successful Advocacy Activities and Programs
Samples are given here of materials from some of the most
successful types of activities that pedestrian advocacy groups
engage in.
National Walk Our Children to School Day is a national event that local groups can take the lead on in their community. It's an opportunity to partner with other groups and develop relationships with sponsors and the media.
Lectures, forums and other events make a good way to bring your constituency together while exploring issues of interest. Fun walks and PEDESTRIAN ACTIONS in the street are other ways of generating interest and building membership while drawing attention to your cause.
Contents:
Walk Our Children to School Day letter
List of activities for teachers and students
Walkability checklist
Flyer for a forum
Words for a sing-along, "I Can't Get There From Here"
Gossip column report on a dinner party
Pedestrian Action in Portland
Atlanta editorial about "Gone with a Walk"
Feet First Pedestrian Action in Seattle
Fun walk for Walk Sacramento
How to Conduct a Pedestrian Crossing Action
4 First Steps to Organizing
a Pedestrian Advocacy Group
There are three important reasons for
organizing. First, organizations have more credibility than
individuals. Second, your organization's members bring a variety
of perspectives and skills that energize and sustain your
advocacy effort. Finally, organizations bring increased community
contacts and awareness. The earlier you hear about problems
or plans, the earlier you can get involved and the more likely
you are to succeed.
This section includes some information that may help you if you decide to organize your group in a traditional way. Consult the bibliography in the Resources section for more information about non-profit structure and operation. This section also includes some tips for solving organizational problems and having good meetings.
Contents:
The Board of Directors of Non-Profit Organizations
Sample bylaws, Willamette Pedestrian Coalition
Things that might be included in bylaws
Sample bylaws, Walk Sacramento
10 Most Common Organizational Problems
Having Good Meetings
Sample agenda
Sample minutes
A Legal Checklist for Nonprofits
5 What's Your Mission?
A mission statement says what your organization exists to
do. If you can't agree what you've come together to do, it
will be hard to do it. You need a mission statement if you
are applying for tax-exempt status with the IRS, or when you
apply for funding from a foundation.
Your group has a mission - that's why you organized in the first place. Now you need to find a way to state it. A mission statement tells who you are, what you do and where you are headed. A mission statement should be brief and elegant, and it should resonate with your constituency. It should be simple enough and convincing enough that every board member or staff member can repeat it whenever they talk about the organization. A mission statement can be augmented by a vision or values statement and/or a set of goals, objectives or action items that tell what you will do to carry out your mission.
Contents:
Arriving at your mission
Sample
mission statement, Walk Sacramento
More mission statements
Statement of Purpose, LA Walks
Declaration of the right to walk and roll
6 Communications
Put your best foot forward! Many of
the successful local groups that make up America Walks have
won acclaim for the quality of their newsletters and other
publications. Regular newsletters serve the dual functions
of keeping members informed and educating decision makers
The current prevalence of desktop publishing and inexpensive
copying makes it possible to produce a crisp, clean newsletter
on a tight budget.
In our increasingly computer-savvy culture, the worldwide web is another place to publish your group's activities. If you don't have a web page, America Walks can offer you one for free. And publishing a regular electronic newsletter using a listserv is a cheap way to reach your membership.
Contents:
Sample fact sheets:
PEDS
Walk Boston
Walk Sacramento
Sample brochures:
Feet First
Philly Walks
PEDS
Sample newsletters:
Philly Walks
Na Kama Hele (Honolulu)
Walk San Jose
Willamette Pedestrian
Coalition
World wide web
sites:
Marketing through Communication and Coalition Building
7 Thriving and Growing
Organizations have life cycles, and
they certainly go through growing pains. In this section are
a some pointers about how to deal with "midlife crisis,"
how to raise money, and how to expand the power and diversity
of your group.
Contents:
Coalitions in midlife crisis
Fundraising
Sample product (Walk Boston)
Sample fundraising letter (WPC)
Proposal checklist and evaluation form
Writing grants
Sample grant package
Power and diversity
Fundraising links on the internet
back to the TOP
8 Resources
Bibliography
for pedestrian advocates
Cyberspace resource list suggestions
A few acronyms
FOR
MORE INFORMATION OR TO ORDER YOUR COPY:
e-mail: info@americawalks.org
OR SEND $25 with your mailing address to:
America Walks
Old City Hall
45 School Street, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02108
America Walks, 4604 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria VA 22304, (703) 738-4889
