| Advocacy/Government Relations
Examples
Childrens Services Council of Broward
In order for the citizens of Broward County to be allowed to vote to create a Childrens Services Council, the Broward legislative delegation had to over-rule the local County Commission by creating enabling legislation to bring the referendum to ballot. SI coordinated the legislative lobbying effort which resulted in a unanimous delegation vote. This rare move to over-rule the County Commission brought the measure to ballot for Browards voters. The voters subsequently approved the $40 million a year ad valorem dedicated tax.
BCWI Foster Care Privatization Plan Funding
As a part of the multi-year public engagement process for the citizens ad hoc group, the Broward Child Welfare Initiative, SI developed the government relations strategy and tactics to lobby the legislature for adequate funding of the privatization process. The result--$60 million dollars--was considerably more state funding to Broward Countys efforts than to any other Florida district. Browards efforts were recognized statewide as the most effective and a model program for other communities.
BCWI Foster Care Out of School Time
In 2002, the BCWI embarked on a new initiative, the Out of School Time Summit. SI facilitated the visioning process and the subsequent strategic plan. An immediate need was a substantive change in the school boards policy and the inter-government agreement. Both barred outside groups from using the school facilities before and after school time periods and during the summer break. Among the strategies SI developed and coordinated was the lobbying effort which resulted in the change in the long-standing school board policy. The results--year round use of school facilities--now provide out of school time care on a neighborhood basis for children in need.
Referendums
SI's president has a great deal of experience in winning referendums for children's
issues, parks and tourist development tax initiatives. Some examples include:
Kids are Everybody's Business: Broward County Ad Valorem
Tax
This grass roots initiative had a budget of less than $100,000 and the group
was opposed by the County Commissioners. Yet, the citizens prevailed in creating
a dedicated funding source for children in 2000.
The referendum's success resulted in the establishment
of a Children's Services Council with a $37 million annual
budget. SI's president was the strategist and manager of
the campaign.
The Park at Stranahan House
The Park at Stranahan House campaign was a referendum effort to authorize the
City of Fort Lauderdale to stop a high-rise development by condemning and
purchasing the property to create a park adjacent to the historic Stranahan
House in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
SI's president was the strategy team member responsible
for Public Relations/ Marketing including media, written materials,
outreach, etc. Other successful referendum initiatives include
tourist development taxes in several communities and a city
park bond referendum.
|
