This is Part 2 of 2 articles that can help you understand your community's values toward historic resources. Part 1 describes How to Evaluate Your Community's Historic Preservation Values.

Matching your advocay efforts to your community's values about its historic resources is vital when making a case for any project your group may undertake.

If you have rated your community's characteristics discussed in Part 1, find its score below. Then read through the tips to find out how to approach preservation advocacy in your community.

None of the 10 community characteristics covered in Part 1 will make or break your group's ability to advocate for historic resources. And there is a good chance that your community rates higher for some characteristics than others. The important thing is to identify your community's advocacy values and shape your preservation efforts to address any challenges they present.

If you have not yet rated your community's preservation values, go to Part 1: How to Evaluate Your Community's Historic Preservation Values.

What Your Scores Reveal

85 to 100 Percent: Outstanding

If your community falls into this range, it is the Colonial Williamsburg of Wisconsin! Your group should be able to count on some support from government and developers, so you can spend more of your energy on proactive work.

Tips: If you are making a case for preservation with this level of support, be sure to emphasize your existing strengths and track record. Your advocacy should focus on the finer points of preservation, such as educational programs that teach historic homeowners how to appropriately restore their homes. Invest time in maintaining your relationships with decision-makers such as elected officials and the real estate development community. Constantly develop new partnerships. Consider sharing your success with preservationists outside of your community via a presentation or lecture. This will help you promote your success within your own community. The Wisconsin Historical Society's annual local history and historic preservation conference is an excellent venue for sharing insights with others.

70 to 85 Percent: Above Average

If your community falls into this range, your group has a solid base of support for historic preservation, but enough challenges to keep your group on its toes. Your group can afford to regularly celebrate its good work to help get through the more difficult challenges.

Tips: While proactive work like educational programming is important in your community, a tool such as an Opportunities List can help to rally your community around preservation advocacy. Your group can pick and choose among your community's weaker support areas and prioritize a few within your strategic plan.

50 to 70 Percent: Average

If your community falls into this range, you have a stable base of support, but you also have some trouble spots. Your community probably has a historic preservation ordinance, but enforcement may be weak or nonexistent. Fundraising will be challenging. While you can see good examples of historic preservation's value in your community, no one has leveraged successes into an effective preservation program.

Tips: If your group is in this position, you can use your community's recognizable problem areas to rally your board and members and consider what could be done better. Your group may be ready for new energy and new ideas. Before you engage in rigorous strategic planning, seek outsiders' perspectives. Insights from other parts of the country might help, or from preservation specialists who can speak to the specific problems that seem to hinder your progress.

30 to 50 Percent: Below Average

If your community falls into this range, your support system needs a lot of work. Your group lacks resources and may be demoralized. Everyone in your group must be careful not to get completely overwhelmed.

Tips: In addition to the tips for the "average" range, your group might benefit from a membership meeting in which the board is open about the difficulties you face. If your support base is very small, your group could triage its problems and pick a single goal (with a deadline). You might focus your efforts on education.

0 to 30 Percent: Challenging

If your community falls into this bottom range, you face many challenges. You may think you are the only person in your community who cares about preservation issues, but you aren’t.

Tips: Don't give up. Instead, get a little help from your friends. Consider attending the Wisconsin Historical Society's annual local history and historic preservation conference. Talk to other preservation groups around the state to understand Wisconsin's big-picture issues and resources available from the state-wide preservation community. Reaching out to others who share your vision might connect you to people who can help you improve your situation. You should also pursue the education efforts described above for a "below average" community.

More Tips to Improve Your Score

If you would like to improve your community's overall score, here are some ideas:

1. Educate homeowners, commercial building owners, city officials, and developers about historic preservation's financial incentives, such as tax credits for historic homes and tax credits for historic income-producing buildings.
2. Educate your community about the benefits of having a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
3. Educate your community about the benefits of having a historic preservation ordinance and the possibility of becoming eligible for funding as a certified local government.
4. Consider attending the Wisconsin Historical Society's annual local history and historic preservation conference.
5. A tool such as an Opportunities List can help to rally your community around preservation advocacy. Your group can pick and choose among your community's weaker support areas and prioritize a few within your strategic plan.

Learn More

Historic Preservation Advocacy Guide

Find more how-to articles about historic preservation advocacy.