Welcome. “All Politics is Local” Live by this statement

Welcome

“All Politics is Local”

Live by this statement

You are a Politician We are ALL politicians! You head a public institution! Your success or failure is based

on the will of the public!

Wearing the “Influencer” Cape

“We have nothing to fear but fear itself”

You don’t have to become someone else—just harness the best of your skills!

A personal commitment

Building Support & Influence

Step 1: Begin with Community Support

Market your library Market yourself

Market Your Library Reach out to donors and other

potential allies Make your library the cultural

center of the community Make sure your library

impresses

Publicity, Publicity, Publicity!

You can never have too much! Get the message out there Advertise library events

through newspapers,

radio and television

Market Yourself

Look the part Sell yourself Speak up Speak articulately

How are you perceived by

your community?

SMILE Ensure a credible

perception

Don’t be shyBeing shy will get you nowhereDo not wait for someone to give

you somethingArticulate your needs

Be a JoinerAre you a member ? Be visible, dependable Always follow through

Building Influence & Support

Step 2: Developing those strategic relationships

Arm yourself with a strong boardCultivate Legislators and other

powerbrokers

Create a Strong Board Boards are critical to the success of

a library Power brokers of the community

make excellent board members Be prepared when seeking them out

to serve your library’s interests

Cultivating Legislators

Before they are elected After the election During their tenure

When you meet…

Create an Opening Statement Offer a firm handshake & look

them straight in the eye Initiate a conversation

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Vote in Every Election! No one knows how you vote,

but they can find out if you vote!

If you vote, Legislators will pay more attention to you!

Helpful Hints Do not be too “chatty” Stay on Point: “Libraries, Libraries,

Libraries” Be cheerful and nice Attend their fundraisers Get to know their staff members

They have been electedNOW WHAT????

Keep up the good work!! Make a good friendship

count for THEM and for YOU

For them: Be the Person that…

Introduces legislators to others Is helpful and accommodating Shares info and keeps them

posted Be their “go to” person

Making a good friendship count for you

Support for PR Support for fundraising Support for grant writing

For you… People around you take noticeHelps you negotiate/deal with

others

Reciprocation

Public clout = political clout = public clout = political

clout

Have you made it????

How will you know??? Is there a signal???

….Can’t stop now!!!!

In those delicate situations

You have trust/willingness to listen

Respect Shared desire to reach common

goal: serve the community!

Keeping that Relationship

Be cheerful and pleasant Never complain or embarrass Be honest and ethical

Be a Good Salesman Be Prepared

Know your facts

Know your library

Know your community

Know your audience

Find Support from GroupsUse their help

Get Help From:

Your Board

Other Area Librarians

You never know what you may find!

Be A Risk Taker Be Prepared & Knowledgeable

Know you are Worthy!!!

Your Community Needs A Library!!

Libraries Deserve to be Well Funded!!

Don’t Be Bullied!!!!!!!!

When things go wrong…You CAN make things betterBe direct and diplomatic Try again/try something newIf needed, give space and rebuildLearn from it and move onIf you started strong, it’ll be OK

When things go right…

You’ll get something your library needs

Make new friends/gain new supporters

Discover something important

Be Tenacious!!!

Never Give Up!!!!

If not this year…….

Maybe next year will be your

lucky year !!!!

Questions???

Thank You!!

Susan S. Mann

118 South Waco

Hillsboro, Texas 76645

smann@hillsborotx.org

254-582-7385