GET TO CLASS! Planning and Encouraging Non-motorized Transportation to Schools: Working with Advocacy Groups

A presentation for The CalACT 2008 Spring Conference and Expo Squaw Creek Resort April 21 – 23, 2008 on…

The interrelationship of staff, elected officials, and advocates in community- based pedestrian/bicycle advocacy, specifically the Safe Routes to School program.

Special interest? Interest group? Taxpayers? Citizens? Activists? Advocates? Who are these people?

...In democratic countries knowledge of how to combine is the mother of all other forms of knowledge; on its progress depends that of all the others. -- Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America …There is no end which the human will despairs of attaining through the combined power of individuals united into a society.

Elected (or appointed) Officials Staff Active citizens

Elected (or appointed) Officials Staff ? TWO ISSUES: WHAT IF ONE APEX OF THE TRIANGLE IS MISSING?

Elected (or appointed) Officials Staff Active citizens HOW DO YOU BUILD EFFECTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH EXISTING ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS? ?

Safe Routes to School

ProgramState - SR2SFederal - SRTS Current Legislative Authority Streets & Highways Code Section , AB 57 Section 1404 in SAFETEA-LU Expires January 1, 2013 September 30, 2009 Eligible ApplicantsCities and counties State, local, regional agencies; cities and counties; non-profit organizations; school districts; and Tribes Eligible ProjectsInfrastructure projects (up to 10% of the project cost may cover education /encouragement component) Infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects Local Match10% required None; 100% federally reimbursed Project Completion Deadline Within 4 state FYs after project is programmed Within 4 federal FYs after funds are obligated Location Restriction on Infrastructure Projects NoneInfrastructure projects must be w’in 2 miles of a grade school or middle school Targeted Beneficiaries Children in grades K-12Children in grades K-8 Cycles Completed6 cycles1 cycle Next Call for ProjectsAugust, 2007 (Cycle 7)February, 2008 (Cycle 2) Available Funding $52M in Cycle 7 (06/07 & 07/08)$46M in Cycle 2 (08/09 & 09/10) SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL

Community buy-in Nonprofit organizations, with their volunteer resources, stretch dollars further, may accomplish things staff doesn’t have time and resources to do Qualified nonprofit organizations expand the number of local entities that can receive grant funding for SRTS projects How to find and nurture advocates and why you would want to Why?

Public health organizations The public health community has a long history of not only successful advocacy (think about the anti-smoking campaign) but also program delivery Promotoras in Walk San Diego’s Chula Vista project. How? (and who?)

School-based organizations Parent teacher organization Natural fit for SRTS programs PTA parents generally have some organizing experience and an interest in the welfare of the community P.E. Teachers In Carson City P.E. teachers have been the most effective program deliverers for safe routes to school projects, especially in the “education” and “encouragement” aspects. It’s already part of their job description…

How? (and who?) Bicycling and Walking advocacy organizations America Walks League of American Bicyclists Both these national organizations have local and state member groups

America Walks America Walks has a coaching action network specifically for SRTS –

Committee or individual? SRTS encourages committees and task forces, but don’t think you’ve failed if you can’t gather together a committee. In our experience, it’s dedicated, committed individuals who get things done – look for natural leaders. How? (and who?)

Working with existing organizations: Functional and dysfunctional relationships between staff and advocates

Challenges If you work with the public either in formal public participation settings or in more informal working relationships with citizens, you have to Learn to be a good listener Let people know how their ideas will be used Thank people for their time Remember that advocates are for the most part volunteers, and are fitting their advocacy work into usually very busy lives. In smaller organizations, follow-through can be disappointing Working with existing organizations:

Opportunities Alliances between staff and advocates can convince elected/appointed officials about the value of a project to their constituents Advocates can volunteer time (grant writing, professional services) and develop funding sources (grant funding, hands-on work, fundraisers) to stretch tight agency budgets.