Advocacy

What can I do?

A lot!

• Make submissions to Council strategy, and planning forums.  Or support Bridleways Submissions. 
• Keep your eye on your local paper. If you see items about horse riding issues, use the bridleways mailing list to let everyone know. Public notices about council meetings or submissions are particularly important.
• Contact local or regional councillors (their email addresses are on websites).
• Contact Members of Parliament (there is one for Sport and Recreation)
• Volunteer to help with local, district or regional parks or facilities. Most have programs for volunteering.
• Research - Document local places or problems, photos and information
• Write to local papers and magazines about horse riding issues or events - Contact List How to write letters

Making Submissions to Council

When can you make a submission?

You can only make submissions to council or government when they ask for submissions on an issue.

Current Projects

 How to make a submission?

Submissions are generally made on a standard form provided by the council\government body. Submissions usually relate to a particular policy or law.

When you make a submission you are asked to support or oppose all or parts of the policy\law. You provide your reasons for this support or opposition.

If you see a notice about submissions on a horse riding related issue - email the bridleways mailing list so that all members can make submissions. Also use the list to organise someone, or a group to make verbal submissions at the council meeting when the written submissions are taken.

Making your submission in front of Council?

After you have made a written submission to council, or on the submission form, you are asked if you would like to make a verbal submission. Say yes! Turning up to talk to council makes an impression.

You will usually only have 5-10 minutes to speak. You do not just have to read out your written submission, so think about what to say. Bring photos or make a presentation if you like - you will need to tell the organiser what you need.

Introduce yourself and state whether you represent any others.

• Make your presentation - keep to the facts, don't get personal.
• Be prepared for questions.
• Once your submission is over , you are not permitted to make any further comments.

Media Releases

Media releases are really easy ways to keep horse riding in the public eye. Newspapers and the media are eager to accept well-written media releases and print them. Use this to your advantage.

If you are a rider, an advocate or involved in a club or project make sure that you know how to write a media release (or find someone who will help you with this).

How to Write a Media Release

A media release is actually very easy to write because it has a formal structure to stick to. The most important rule is that it should be one page long!

• Media Release Template

Writing Letters

Like media releases, there is a formula to writing successful letters to newspapers and magazines.

• Space restrictions mean your letter should be 150 words or less, 2-3 concise paragraphs.
• Reference a previous article, letter or current topic at the start of your letter e.g. "I read with great interest the editorial/letter/article (put title here), (date printed) in which (author) said that . . .".
• Stick to one idea as the theme of your letter. Trying to cover multiple ideas is too confusing and tends to make your letter too long.
• Do not use personal attacks or defamatory language. Explain why a previous letter or article is incorrect, or provide additional information.
• Always use facts, figures and statistics when you have them. But only use one or two numbers in your letter, too many can be confusing.

Research

Writing to your local MP or Councillor will receive much more support if you can present some facts to back up your ideas or requests.

• If you run a club or are trying to get a project off the ground, spend some time getting your facts straight. This may be as simple as making sure that you know how many members your club has, but may require a little more work like performing a survey.
• Help others by publishing your member numbers, or having them onhand.