ADVOCACY:It’s Not Just Tennis

Advocacy Consultant Training WorkshopIBM Palisades Center

July 25-28, 2007

Overview of Presentation

What is Advocacy?

What is it in the USTA Context?

What is our approach?

Major Issues for public sector decision-makers

As applied to youth issues

How can grassroots advocacy grow the game of tennis?

Advocacy Plan

USTA’s Commitment to Advocacy

Discussion / Q & A

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is the effort to convince any decision-

maker that the program, initiative, or proposal that

you are advancing can effectively address the

his/hers pressing concerns.

Sustained Public

Support&

Public Policy

Change

Passion and Knowledge of Tennis

Advocacy in the USTA Context

The Needs and

Objectives of Schools,

Communities, Colleges, and Local

Governments

Our Core Belief

We believe that the sport of tennis can improve:

schools, communities,

opportunities for youthquality of life for all.

Our Approach

Do not focus on Tennis Focus on the concerns of the public official or public bodyHow do Tennis facilities and

programs address public problems?

How does getting you what you want, help the decision-maker?

USTA Advocacy Plan

Public FacilitiesBuilding and Renovating

Schools and After-SchoolBuilding and supporting programs and infrastructure

Tennis in the ParksProgramming/Staffing and Park Facilities

Collegiate ProgramsVarsity tennisRecreational Tennis on CampusContributions of College Tennis to Local Communities

USTA’s Advocacy Agenda

Preservation, Growth and Renovation of Tennis Facilities open to and easily accessible to the public

Growth of Tennis Programming in After-School Programs

Expansion of Tennis in Public Parks with Quality Staffing and Programming

Preservation, Growth and Strengthening of Tennis on College Campuses

Public Sector Focus

This Agenda Primarily Targets Public Sector Decision-Maker

Government Leaders (Executive and Legislative)School Administrators and EducatorsPark OfficialsPublic College Leaders

But not exclusively so.Private College LeadersInfluential Civic Leaders

Things Government Cares About

HealthObesityChronic illnesses

Community Development & Public Safety

Engagement of YouthSafety of SeniorsSecurity and Opportunity for Families

Education & Youth DevelopmentAfter-School and Physical Education

How Grassroots Advocacy can grow the game of Tennis?

New ResourcesAssist with your grant requestsAccess to Local and state funds-MONEY

New OpportunitiesAfter School Tennis and Education programsKeep Varsity and Recreational tennis at colleges healthyHelp build new tennis courts or refurbish old courts

Sustainable Local Government support Access to courts in public parks, Tennis in the Parks Make tennis sustainable part of the community infrastructureHelps to increase the teaching of tennis in school P.E. programs

Colleges

Facilities

Parks

Schools

• Community-Based• Youth & Families• Sustainability• Public Support

Build a public facility for youth and families. All get to play.

Advocacy Circle

USTA’s Commitment to Advocacy

National StaffBarry Ford, Director, Outreach & AdvocacyLeslie Kirschner, National Manager, Advocacy

Resources and ToolsAdvocacy ToolkitCase StudiesWebsiteTraining Curriculum

ConsultingOn an organizational or section levelHelp develop strategies to achieve local advocacy goals

Advocacy Task Force

Concluding Thought

Our Advocacy for Tennis Facilities and Programs is

not about Tennis.

It must be about how tennis changes lives and improves

community.