Working in Political Environments is not easy. With the proper planning, vision, and respect for others, you can accomplish your goals.

1. 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

2. 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.

3. Today’s session is not about this?

4. 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.

5. FOR AN “EXCEPTIONAL” POLITICAL
RELATIONSHIP YOU NEED TO KNOW;
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6. THE PEOPLE THAT GOVERN YOU
You need to, at times, exhibit ALL of these traits
( Maybe, not the Jerk)
What about YOUR personality

7. THE PEOPLE THAT GOVERN YOU

9. HOW DO YOU HANDLE SOMEONE WITH
A POLITICAL AGENDA
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Your job is to PROTECT your Politicians.
Sometimes from themselves.

10. THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE AN AGENDA.
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11. 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

12. KEEPING POLITICS OUT OF GOVERNING

13. Form the Framework

14. VISION

15. VALUES

16. VALUES
COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT
STEWARDSHIP
FUN
DIVERSITY
QUALITY
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
ACCESSABILITY
EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER
SERVICE
LEADERSHIP
BUILDING A LEGACY

17. MISSION

18. TOOLS OF THE FRAMEWORK
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19. … you open yourself up to single-issue
politics running your agency.

20. IF YOU HAVE THE FRAMEWORK IN PLACE

21. BEAT THEM TO THE QUESTION

22. INVOLVE POLITICIANS IN CREATING THE PLANS
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23. 10 ACTIONS TO ADVANCE YOUR
POLITICAL POSITION

24. COMMUNICATE CONSTANTLY
…EVEN IF YOU DON’T WANT TO
ACTION #1

32. SEARCH FOR, AND GAIN ADVOCATES
ACTION #2

33. Advocates
• Influential People in your Community
• “Other” Department Managers in other Organizations
ØChief of Police
ØDirector of Libraries
ØLarge Non-Profits – Executive
ØPresident of Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Exchange, Clubs
ØLocal College Presidents, Athletic Directors, Coaches
ØProfessional Teams, Management
• Other Elected Officials
• Close friends of your politicians – (All of their circles)

34. CONDUCT ANNUAL RETREATS
(AT LEAST)
ACTION #3

35. GET TO KNOW THE MEDIA PEOPLE IN YOUR
AREA
ACTION #4

36. REMEMBER THAT A 4-3 VOTE IN YOUR FAVOR IS NOT
ALWAYS A VICTORY
ACTION #5

37. ENCOURAGE YOUR EMPLOYEES TO
ARTICULATE THEIR PURPOSE
ACTION #6

38. UNDERSTAND THE ART OF DELAYING
ACTION #7

39. SELL YOUR SUCCESSES, AND HOW THE
LEADERSHIP CONTRIBUTED
ACTION #8

40. ACTION #9
Provide opportunities for political
individuals to take credit

41. ACTION #10
Lead with courage

42. SUMMARY
• Know those that govern you, and know
yourself
• Understand that this is important work
• Develop and know your agency
Framework
• LEAD

43. The End
TomORourke.org