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some members may eventu- _.y be candidates for appointment to the preservation commission. Begin early to build public and political support. Education should target a variety of groups throughout the community. From political leaders to schoolchild- ren, awide range of citizens will be both affected by and inter- ested in the process of creating historic districts. Some groups to target in this educational cam- paign would include: • Elected officials • Municipal department heads • Media • Business community • Developers • Legal community • Homeowners and neighbor- hood organizations Downtown and commercial property owners • Religious leaders • Realtors and real estate brokers • Architects, landscape architects, and designers • Civic clubs • Educational leaders and schoolchildren • preservatiun community Your creativity is the only limit in developing educational tools. Communities have had success in using any combination of the following: • Town meetings, workshops, and work sessions • Fact sheets and flyers • Press releases Contests • Festivals, tours, and special events • Booths and exhibits • Banners and posters • School curricula • Slide and video presentations • Lecture series • Neighborhood coffee klatches • How-to seminars • Websites Many communities have found a combination of educational techniques to be most successful. Clear, concise, and easy-to-under- stand materials are important to the success of any effort. This approach to community education can be repeated when a specific proposal is before the governing body. The proponents for adopt- ing anordinance, designating a district, or implementing any preservatiun strategy must be prepared to testify in large num- bers to support their cause. Always assume that those who uppose the idea will also be there in force. District proponents are more likely to reach their goals and community consensus when they are well versed in the bene- fits of local districts and prepared to co:mter possible opposition. Community education is a col- laborative effort. Just as preserva- tion planning cannot occur in the isolation of one program or under the auspices of one agency, department, or organization, nei- ther can a community's efforts to educate residents and political leaders about a local preservation ordinance. The collaboration between like-minded individuals, civic groups, merchant and neigh- borhood assuciations, and profes- sional organizations makes the task of community-wide public relations an easier one. Often a local nonprofit preser- vation organization or historical society is the most logical group to coordinate the activities of district supporters. The role played by the nonprofit as the predominant district advocate is a tremendously important one. The nonprofit serves as the patient educator before the ordi- nance comes up for considera- tion by elected officials. It is the chief organizer to lobby for the passage of preservation legisla- tion, which include., arranging for informed and supportive tes- timony at public meetings and hearings. The duties of the local nonprofit do not stop with ordi- nance adoption. Its proactive involvement should be ongoing and might include the following activities: conducting straw polls, completing historic resource sur- veys, developing district aware- ness campaigns, and sponsoring planning studies before, during, and after district designation occurs. Many nonprofits extend their role as the primary advocate for the commission and suggest names to fill vacancies as terms expire on the commission, they sometimes provide staff assistance, often serve as mediator in disputes, and participate in commission training and goal setting exercises. Althot~.gh essential to success- ful local preservation efforts, col- laboration is not always the easiest thing to sustain. Fierce turf battles can develop between groups that share similar goals. Shortsighted cummission mem- bers and local planners, as well as unproductive nonprofit staff or board members, can get caught up in miscommunication and needless disagreements. This always hurts the credibility of local preservationists and can lead to the ultimate demise of the entire local preservation process. PRESERVATION BOOKS