I know that I am always on here needing help and I appologize. I'm a 16 year old that is just getting started.
My problem is I had a meeting with the mayor and he called me a couple days later and told me that its not something the board can just agree on. He said that they want to put a pool a skatepark and a playground there and I'm another person that has an idea. He said that he was going to put me on a committee and someone would call me.
The problem is I don't think anyone would listen to what i want to do. They think its way to much money fo me to afford and raise. I know that I can do this. Is it time for me to take it to the news and papers or do I go along with the committee? I don't want to sound selfish or anything but I don't want anyone to take the idea i have been working on for almost a year now and it seems like I am getting no where. I would really really like some help. Thank You
Hey, Sammy. Don't apologize. These are problems that anyone looking to do a project like this would run into. I'm betting that there are others reading this thread who are asking the same thing.
I'm just a lowly web person so I'll let the folks who have been through this speak to the pros and cons of arguing with the mayor. I do know, from personal experience, that sometimes committees are really an important element of getting something done. If you get on the committee with good people, you are also (suddenly) not in this alone. That's kind of a nice feeling.
It's also a lot harder ignore a formal committee's recommendations than it is to ignore one person's idea.
This can be a long, hard process. Don't give up. A lot of times, the people who finally get what they wanted are the ones who just stuck it out.
Amy
You made a huge step by meeting with your Mayor... Congrats! I would send your Mayor a thank you note for the meeting and mention that you not only want be a part of this committee but you want to co-chair the committee. This way you can help lead the way to this project. The next step which is helpful is to have a committee so you don't have to take on all the pressure of this project yourself and you have a project that represents the community. Maybe you have an adult that can help co-chair this with you- a teacher, a principal, coach, community leader, someone from a the PTO (parent teacher organization) or church leader ect... In my city I contacted my city councilor for my section of the city and he was a big help and he new the local potilics which helped with the Mayor. I would contact the press... this is a great story to have a local youth want to take on a project like this and help out. You may also give some attention to the project and get some members for your committee. As adults on my project we wanted as much input from the kids as possible... after all you are the end user and it needs to be a playspace that the kids will use and have fun.
Do you have the kaboom tool kit? You can download it on line http://www.kaboom.org/DoItYourselfResources/TheKaBOOMToolkit/tabid/93/Default.aspx
This tool kit was a great tool that was and still is a HUGE help to me. Good luck and keep up the great work! If you have any more question please ask away. Everyone told me and my committee a year ago that my city was fundraised out and we would never raiser the $75,000 we wanted to and you know what... we proved the Mayor and many others wrong by raising $130,000! Also- please note the mom in me wants to mention as a16 year old please make sure you have an adult with you at your meetings not only for safety sake but it's nice to have the extra support.
Hi Sammy,
We appreciate your efforts in trying to help all children in your community have a great place to play.
First, I would recommend that you go ahead and participate on the committee. This is great opportunity to have a voice in the decision making process, helping to ensure that the playground is an all accessible one. Also understand that because there are so many diverse issues facing a Mayor’s office at any one given time, it can take a while for them to respond. From my experience, it’s best to be patient and prepared so that when they do call on you, you’re ready to take action and lead the way. You should continue to follow-up with the Mayor at least once a month.
I would also recommend that you think about a petition for an all inclusive playground. The more support you can garner the better. Another idea would be to organize a lunch with the Mayor and a classroom of physically challenged children to help demonstrate the need for such a playground. You could also send cards with pictures of the children to the Mayor! The key Sammy is follow-up, follow-up, follow-up!
Lastly, keep raising money. Funding will help you in your efforts to spread the word and engage more people from your community. You can visit our website for 101 fundraising ideas!
Don’t give up! You are doing a great job!
By the way...I lead our Playmaker Network, which is a national network of people who are taking action for play. I would love it if you would consider joining. Here’s the link to it
Yours in Play,
Brooke Bennett
Manager of National Advocacy
SAMMY,
DON'T GIVE UP, I HAVE BEEN THERE AND YOU HAVE TO REALLY STICK TO IT! DON'T LET NEGATIVE COMMENTS GET YOU DOWN, THEY ARE JUST WORDS. I KNOW THAT INVOLVING A COMMITTEE OF PEOPLE CAN CAUSE STRESS, I WAS FORCED TO FORM ONE AS WELL WHEN I COULDN'T GET OUR PTA TO TAKE ME SERIOUSLY. IT WILL CONNECT YOU WITH OTHERS THAT CAN REALLY HELP YOU.
ASK SOMEONE YOU TRUST, THAT ALREADY WORKS WITH CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY IF THEY WILL JOIN YOU ON THE COMMITTEE, THEY ALREADY SHOW AN INTEREST IN HELPING KIDS. ANOTHER OPTIONS IS ENLISTING THE HELP OF PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE TYPE OF PLAYGROUND YOU'D LIKE INSTALLED THERE. WHETHER YOU ARE ON THE COMMITTEE THE MAYOR IS REFERRING TO, OR ONE YOU CHOOSE TO FORM YOURSELF (NOT A BAD IDEA BY THE WAY) YOU WILL WANT TO FOLLOW UP WITH MEMBERS FREQUENTLY. IF YOU DO FORM YOUR OWN COMMITTEE, I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO JOIN THE OTHER COMMITTEE AS WELL.
THE FIRST THING AND MAYBE THE BEST THING I DID WAS GET OUR PRINCIPAL AND 2 OF OUR SCHOOLS TEACHERS, AS WELL AS ONE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER ON THE COMMITTEE AND ASSIGNED THEM CAPTAIN POSITIONS. THEY HAD CONNECTIONS AND IDEAS THAT REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE. AGAIN, DON'T GIVE UP, PERSISTANCE IS CONTAGIOUS AND PEOPLE WILL COME AROUND! YOU SHOULD TRY TO GET YOUR STORY IN THE PAPER AND ALSO IN ANY NEWSLETTERS IN THE COMMUNITY. ALSO, WHEN YOU MEET SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN HELPING GET THEIR EMAIL ADDRESS AND BEGIN SENDING EVERYONE UPDATES ON THE PROJECT'S PROGRESS AND NEEDS.
Here's a great letter to the editor that can serve as a model – note how the statistics came right from the county.
http://www.republican-eagle.com/articles/index.cfm?id=47788§ion=Opinion
Exerpt:
...Did you know 2006 population data shows that more than 10 percent of children and adults have a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to use a traditional playground? Minnesota Department of Health data shows, in 2004, Goodhue County had 260 children with functional limitations and approximately 1,400 children with special health care needs. The American Disabilities Act requires playgrounds to have a certain level of accessibility; however these standards are minimal. Even with these guidelines, children and adults with disabilities are often left sitting on the sidelines. What can be done? Our community needs to work together to build a universal playground. A universal playground goes by the ADA requirements by providing ramp access, special surfacing for accessibility, play panels and much more. It will ensure accessibility and safety for everyone...
...Did you know 2006 population data shows that more than 10 percent of children and adults have a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to use a traditional playground?
Minnesota Department of Health data shows, in 2004, Goodhue County had 260 children with functional limitations and approximately 1,400 children with special health care needs. The American Disabilities Act requires playgrounds to have a certain level of accessibility; however these standards are minimal. Even with these guidelines, children and adults with disabilities are often left sitting on the sidelines.
What can be done? Our community needs to work together to build a universal playground. A universal playground goes by the ADA requirements by providing ramp access, special surfacing for accessibility, play panels and much more. It will ensure accessibility and safety for everyone...
I agree join the committee! Good that the major was willing to listen to your concerns and know that it is a problem in your area and is trying hard to address the issues....your voice will be crucial to the project getting off the ground. Get as many people involved in voicing their opions as well..get other kids involved, parents invoved..get as many people on board as you possiblity can. You will find that there are many people, buisnessnes etc in your community who will be willing to jump on board a project such as this. I know getting a project like this to happen in your community is a challenge I worked for two years to see it happen in my community and the project is still on the table....we got the tool kit, got the media, the major the community involved and still the project as yet to come to light..getiing the land has been our struggle....but eventually with all the hard work of many people we know eventually the project will move forward. Have pateince and perserverence. IT WILL HAPPEN!