Tips Library: Community Relations Tips
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Your suggestions for working with coaches and the community.
"Be pro active in initiating communication with user groups at your facility. Ask what their specific needs and concerns may be so they don't become complaints. Let them know what you are doing to make things better."
Tony Baldi - City of Thorton, Thorton, CO
"Be flexible. If a coach is complaining about the field, explain why the problem is occurring (too much usage, weather, budget, etc.) Use literature such as articles and research to back up your position. Network with fellow groundskeepers to solve problems. List and understand what the coach is saying before you try to fix it. "
Heather Nabozny - Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers, Detroit, MI
"Education and communication - scheduling meetings and why we have to have seasons."
Roger Daigle - City of Fort Collins Parks Division, Fort Collins, CO
"Have a visible presence. Before the game begins walk the field and check with the coaches to see if they need anything more from you. If possible attend the games and watch how the field plays. Write or take mental notes on areas that may need attention. Above all make sure the coaches know your are there to support them and their program. Routinely talk with the coaches to make sure they have what they need for games and practices. It has been my experience that this can go a long way in developing good working relationships."
Kevin Yeiser - Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA
"Ask them questions, get them involved and understand their calendar of events prior to developing your maintenance schedule. Be Prepared! "
Stephen Guise - Guise & Associates, Fullerton, Ca
"Patience, let them know you are here to help and want to achieve the same goals and objectives."
Domingo Castillo - Irvine Unified School District, Irvine, CA
"Communicate at the site, not in the board room."
Bob Milano Jr. - Memorial Stadium, Berkley, CA
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Your suggestions for working with the local associations and parents.
"Communication is probably the most important part of this process. Letting the parents and associations know why we do certain things on the fields. Safety and the ability to provide a competitive playing surface is our highest priority for our community."
John Frankenfeld - City of Thorton, Thorton, CO
"Get involved. Attend some meetings. Keep the association and parents informed of what your maintenance program is and why it is important from the aspect of field safety. Most parents want their children to play on safe fields. Studies have shown that a field with quality turf is usually a safe field so this can be a good starting point in working with parents and associations. Be honest. Don't make promises you can not deliver on. If field conditions can't be improved without shutting it down for a period of time, tell them and tell them why."
Kevin Yeiser - Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA
"Develop good relationship with 1 contact person for any particular user group."
Roger Daigle - City of Fort Collins Parks Division, Fort Collins, CO
"Offer volunteer programs and fund raising events to get them involved."
Stephen Guise - Guise & Associates, Fullerton, Ca
"Always be positive and communicate. Let them know their concerns are also yours. Ddeal with the issues and communicate."
Domingo Castillo - Irvine Unified School District, Irvine, CA
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Your suggestions for getting the approval of the board of directors or boss to purchase the equipment you want.
"Clearly outline the benefits, as well as the cost effectiveness over time."
Ted Baker, CSFM - Park District of Highland Park, Highland Park, IL
"Letting him know what you want with reason for it and having more than one rebuttal to a negative response."
Justin Spillman and Rusty Reese - Altoona Curve/Blair County Ball Park, Altoona, PA
"Explain why you need a particular piece of equipment and how many labor hours it will save. Show them that you have researched the products and that you are purchasing the best piece of equipment for their dollar."
Heather Nabozny - Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers, Detroit, MI
"Plan ahead. Have all information and be accurate. Have at least 3 prices and all manufacturers information."
Chris Collins - Advanced Microbial Solutions, Pilot Point, TX
"In many instances the bottom line with these people comes down to dollars. Have all your facts and information ready and available. If a new piece of equipment is more efficient and will help to make the crew more productive, be sure to include this information in your request. Some equipment dealers will provide assistance in drawing up and presenting a formal request to administrators and board of directors. Get support. If a new piece of equipment will improve the playability of a field, try and enlist the support of the coach to help persuade the powers to be."
Kevin Yeiser - Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA
"Investigate different equipment. Plan budgets a year in advance."
Domingo Castillo - Irvine Unified School District, Irvine, CA
"Do your homework: research the options and costs then present a well thought out report for review. Be a professional!"
Bob Milano Jr. - Memorial Stadium, Berkley, CA
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Opinions and advice expressed by the participants on the www.torosports.com web site are those of the authors. The Toro Company disclaims any and all liability for those actual results. Visitors of www.torosports.com rely on such information at their own risk.
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