Tom O’Rourke, CPRP

Executive Director

Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission

Charleston, South Carolina

torourke@ccprc.com

Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association State Conference

2012

You are Great! Now SELL IT.

Selling the Your Greatness

You are Great!

Who gets to define whether or not you are great.

Be Clear on WHAT it is that you are selling!

Selling the Public

Who is your Sales Force?

Your internal promotions staff

Your employees

Social Media

The external media

The public

Internal Promotions Staff

•Publicity / PR •Sales and Customer Service •Sponsorships, Partnerships •Graphic Design, Advertising

•Marketing/Branding •Online Services

•Support – printing, distribution, management

Your employees

Happy employees make great ambassadors

Social Media

The external media

Press Release Tips: •Keep it Unbiased (in your words!) •Respect Deadlines & Lead Times •Write In Journalistic Style: Reverse Pyramid Format, AP Style Grammar, Include All Pertinent Details •Learn About Your Media and What They Are Interested In – Target To Them

…it should move forward on its plans to repair the part at the southern end of Folly so that the public will have ocean access again in 2012 And it should get the support of the state natural resource agencies in that effort. PRC has made an emergency application to the State Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management…

September 1, 2011

MOODY'S ASSIGNS Aaa RATING TO CHARLESTON COUNTY PARK AND

RECREATION COMMISSION

UPGRADE TO Aaa APPLIES TO $25 MILLION IN OUTSTANDING PARITY DEBT, INCLUDING CURRENT ISSUE

Concurrently Moody’s has upgraded to Aaa from Aa1

SUMMARY RATINGS RATIONALE

The Aaa rating reflects the district’s very strong cash position and conservative budgeting, large and diverse tax base with an institutional presence, and low debt burden with rapid payout. STRENGTHS: •Conservative budgeting has led to ample reserves and cash available for operations. •Large and diverse tax base with a stable institutional presence.

The Public

Form a positive relationship with advocacy groups.

Dog Owners

Home School Community

Sports Leagues

Environmental Groups

Historic Preservation Groups

Make the PUBLIC feel like they are “Owners” of the agency by having input.

Advisory Groups

Recreation Needs Assessments w/ public input

Constant evaluations and opportunity for feedback

Bombarded the PUBLIC with credible information.

Annual Report

Web site that shows examples of your credibility

Planted articles in your newsletters or brochures

Reports to those that make funding decisions

Constant Promotional pieces

Facebook Pages

When the Public Loves you… You and Everyone Else Will

Know it!

http://southernadventuress.com/2011/05/02/park-touring/

Make the Public feel like

they Own the department

Through Effective Branding

“Let Yourself Go”

Questions ?