Not what I thought

Hit a homerun with your next site visit: contacting federal legislators during a congressional recess can be easy and successful with the right approach.(Advocacy ... Update): An article from: Parks & Recreation

Today's boring board meeting was not what I thought It would be.  I figured most people would still be reeling from the last round of budget cuts.  The report from the head of transit was that people seemed to understand why this happened and there was not a lot of decent once the process was explained and the options were explained.  In the end one of the routes was cut and another bus will cover that route plus the route it does.  Everyone agreed it was the best decision that could be made.  What really got the discussion going was the fact that transit covers 3 counties.  Yet not everyone helps shore transit.  They also talked about the fact that the services that are being cut help the poorest people out.  If you have money and a car there is no need for people to take the bus so why be concerned?  Several of the board members said that they have tried talking to government officials.  It seems that they don't listen.

This is where I got to speak.  From an advocacy point of view if you just work for transit and don't take the bus, you are only promoting yourself.  If you want the officials to see how much the buses are needed they have to hear from the people who ride them.  Ask the people who ride to tell you why they ride transit.  Believe it or not personal stories carry a lot of weight.  So write and phone your elected officials when you have these issues.  Things won't magically be made better.  You may not get everything you want.  Those elected officials are there to serve the needs of the community.  They may need to be educated about what those needs are.  Here are some tips.

• Stick to one topic.  If it is transit stick to transit.  Don't talk about all your problems
• Get right to the point.  In letters and phone calls or meetings whatever flowery greetings and a lot of small talk waste time.
• Be friendly even with people who may disagree with you.  You are only stating your issue not starting an argument.
• Be prepared to provide proof of your situation.  Sometimes it helps to show everything that has been done on your own.  You shouldn't be asking for a lot if you haven't tried programs that are already out there.
• Make sure to give the officials time.  Even local government officials have a lot on their plate.  They hear from a lot of people.  
• Keep talking.  If at first you don't succeed try try again.  Old politicians retire or get voted out.  There is always a new ear or another way to say it.

ACT UP and Speak up!  It's your life!    The transit people thought it was a good idea to get the riders involved.  I may have actually helped.  Gosh it made me feel good.

On a good note I may also have gotten a new Avon customer!!  Yea for pocket money!  Take care.

AVON