Cultivating an Exceptional Relationship with those that govern you?

Tom O’Rourke, CPRP

Executive Director, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission

Professor of Practice, Clemson University

torourke@ccprc.com / tjorour@clemson.edu

NRPA National Conference 2016

St. Louis, Missouri

I hope that, by the time I am done with this session;

•You will leave with some techniques that will assist you in all of your political relationships. •You will have a deeper appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of those in the political arena.• You will understand the importance of, and some techniques of exceptional political communication. •You will understand that having a good relationship with those that govern you is the difference between an average agency and a great agency.

Today’s session is not about this?

CHARLESTON COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

• AWESOME COMMISSIONERS!• 13 MAYORS 1 COUNTY COUNCIL CHAIR

• 112 ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS

• RED STATE – BLUE CITY

• WE HAVE MONEY, NO ONE ELSE DOES.

FOR AN “EXCEPTIONAL” POLITICAL RELATIONSHIP YOU NEED TO KNOW;

•••••

THE PEOPLE THAT GOVERN YOU

You need to, at times, exhibit ALL of these traits ( Maybe, not the Jerk)

What about YOUR personality

THE PEOPLE THAT GOVERN YOU

HOW DO YOU HANDLE SOMEONE WITH A POLITICAL AGENDA

•••

•

Your job is to PROTECT your Politicians. Sometimes from themselves.

THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE AN AGENDA.

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HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

• Build a Foundation of Respect and Appreciation• Really Listen• Establish a Win-Win situation (Relationship Wins)• Stay Involved with Each Other• Never stop Communicating• Be open to change and New Things• Learn how to respectfully resolve conflict• Don’t ignore problems – Get in front of problems• Be sensitive to what your partner likes• Mutual Respect• Trust• Honesty• Support

KEEPING POLITICS OUT OF GOVERNING

Form the Framework

VISION

VALUES

VALUESCOMMUNITY ENRICHMENT

STEWARDSHIPFUN

DIVERSITYQUALITY

HEALTH AND WELLNESSACCESSABILITY

EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE

LEADERSHIPBUILDING A LEGACY

MISSION

TOOLS OF THE FRAMEWORK

•

••••••

… you open yourself up to single-issue politics running your agency.

IF YOU HAVE THE FRAMEWORK IN PLACE

BEAT THEM TO THE QUESTION

INVOLVE POLITICIANS IN CREATING THE PLANS

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•

•

10 ACTIONS TO ADVANCE YOUR POLITICAL POSITION

COMMUNICATE CONSTANTLY

…EVEN IF YOU DON’T WANT TO

ACTION #1

SEARCH FOR, AND GAIN ADVOCATES

ACTION #2

Advocates

• Influential People in your Community• “Other” Department Managers in other Organizations

ØChief of PoliceØDirector of LibrariesØLarge Non-Profits – ExecutiveØPresident of Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Exchange, ClubsØLocal College Presidents, Athletic Directors, CoachesØProfessional Teams, Management

• Other Elected Officials• Close friends of your politicians – (All of their circles)

CONDUCT ANNUAL RETREATS(AT LEAST)

ACTION #3

GET TO KNOW THE MEDIA PEOPLE IN YOURAREA

ACTION #4

REMEMBER THAT A 4-3 VOTE IN YOUR FAVOR IS NOTALWAYS A VICTORY

ACTION #5

ENCOURAGE YOUR EMPLOYEES TOARTICULATE THEIR PURPOSE

ACTION #6

UNDERSTAND THE ART OF DELAYING

ACTION #7

SELL YOUR SUCCESSES, AND HOW THELEADERSHIP CONTRIBUTED

ACTION #8

ACTION #9

Provide opportunities for political individuals to take credit

ACTION #10

Lead with courage

SUMMARY

• Know those that govern you, and know yourself

• Understand that this is important work

• Develop and know your agency Framework

• LEAD

The End

TomORourke.org