Advocacy training · Local government · Western Australia
Advocacy and councillor training helps elected members, local government officers and community leaders present a case, influence decision makers and win support. David Julian Price runs it for councils and organisations in Western Australia, covering council chambers, community consultation and dealing with state and federal government. It’s part of David’s meeting effectiveness work.
Local government works where community expectation, political reality and governance obligation meet, usually under public scrutiny. When the stakes are high, communication is everything.
“Advocacy is the art of presenting a case so compellingly that the right people take the right action.”
Mission critical
Clarity, confidence and credibility aren’t nice-to-haves in local government. Whatever the moment, it comes down to someone standing up and communicating with conviction and skill.
Presenting a budget recommendation, or getting a contentious motion across the line.
Fronting a meeting of residents who’ve never felt heard.
Securing funding for the infrastructure your community needs.
Winning support for a long-term community plan.
What you’ll develop
It’s understanding your audience, structuring your message, managing the room, and knowing what to do when things don’t go to plan.
The kind of credibility that makes people lean in when you speak.
Who it’s for
In local government, every role does. You don’t need to be a senior leader to benefit.
Why local government is different
I’ve trained people in corporate, government, mining, health, education, sport and community organisations. Local government is unlike any of them. The advocacy skills it needs must be nuanced, flexible and grounded in how local government actually works.
They answer to their community, not a manager.
Their council and their community, at the same time.
Residents who are vulnerable, frustrated or simply unheard.
I understand the terrain. With qualifications in business law, corporate governance and company directorship, more than four decades working with councils, boards and community groups, and service as an Independent Presiding Member on local government audit committees.
The Walk Tall difference
In local government, walking tall means showing up to the hard conversations with the skills and confidence to make a difference. It means your community, your council and your colleagues know that when you stand up to speak, it’s worth listening.
Questions
Presenting a case so compellingly that the right people take the right action, whether that’s securing funding, winning council support for a plan or building trust with the community.
Mayors, shire presidents, elected members, CEOs, senior staff, directors, community development officers and anyone whose role involves communicating, consulting or advocating for their council or community.
Because it has its own culture, procedural framework and pressures. Elected members aren’t employees, CEOs serve council and community, and officers often work with frustrated or unheard residents.
Yes. The skills apply to any audience you need to persuade, including ministers, departments and funding bodies, as well as council and community.
Stay composed, acknowledge the concern, answer briefly and return to your key message. The program gives you practical techniques and practice for exactly these moments.
Knowing procedure lets you use it to your advantage and stops others using it against you, so your case gets a fair hearing in council. See Meeting Procedures.
David is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), a Global Speaking Fellow and Past World President of the Global Speakers Federation, and a member of the Australian Speakers Hall of Fame. He brings more than 40 years of real-world experience, plenty of humour and practical ideas people can use straight away.
Make your voice count
Get in touch to talk about advocacy training for your council, shire or team.