Nevada Recreation & Park Society Creating Communities Through People, Parks and Programs!
NRPS Newsletter March 2016
President’s Message Conference Time!
Inside this issue:
NRPS Mission
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Upcoming Socials
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Job Postings
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Aquatics Commit-
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Grant Opportunities
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NRPS Membership 9
Executive Board
Special points of interest: Check out updated grant information. Keep an open eye for socials. Be sure to submit photos and articles. Recruit new members!
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Professional organizations, like NRPS, hold annual conferences and these events are the most important event of every professional association. This year’s annual conference is shaping up to be the best conference in years. You should attend the state conference for several reasons. First, you have the opportunity to update yourself, learn of new trends, and strengthen your professional development. I always go to a conference anticipating that I’m going to come home with new ideas that will improve me, improve the services I provide, or develop new programs. Secondly, you network with your colleagues from across the state. For me, the greatest value of a conference is the chance to meet with my friends and colleagues from all across the state. Not only do I enjoy the association, but I also have the opportunity to make new friends. I like to come home with new business cards in my pocket and new friends on LinkedIn. Over the years, I have discovered that these contacts become long-term friends and colleagues. Being able to put a face with a name makes it a lot easier to make a phone call to a distant friend to ask questions or share information. Third, NRPS is our professional association and our annual conference allows us to celebrate our profession, honor our new and current officers, and provides ways of discovering how we can serve the profession through NRPS. I strongly encourage your attendance at this year’s conference. Plan in advance what you want to get out of the conference and then put your plan into action. And please don’t forget to have fun! See you soon! - Daniel McLean, NRPS President
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Nevada Parks and Recreation Society Mission Our mission is to support and recognize members of the Society and to promote Recreation and Parks as an essential service in Nevada. NRPS Vision Statement We support the National Recreation & Park Association and the benefits of Recreation and Parks for citizens of the State of Nevada. We serve with pride, leadership and professionalism. Letting our old logo fade off into the sunset!
We Believe in creativity and innovative problem solving. We Believe in encouraging and promoting diversity in our membership. We Believe in recognizing the accomplishments of members and agencies. We Believe in members’ input to shape our vision through strategic planning. We Believe in cooperation, communications, teamwork and consensus building for the citizens, the Society and the agencies we serve.
Upcoming North/South Socials and Events If you are interested in setting up a social event for the north or south, contact your executive board representatives.
For the North contact: Andy Bass, North VP
For the South contact: Sharon Cornell, South VP
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Agency Job Announcements Here are some of the current full-time openings within the state of Nevada. Aquatics Coordinator (Full-Time) City of Henderson $45,383.62 - $61,200.00 annually Park Maintenance Supervisor (Full-Time) City of Reno $73,307.00 - $80,820.74 annually More jobs will be posted on the website at www.NRPS.org/jobs
Aquatics Committee The NRPS Aquatic Committee is made up of aquatic professionals throughout the southern Nevada area. Members meet the 2nd Wednesday every other month to discuss aquatic trends, programming, staffing, operations and hot topics. In addition the committee organizes several events throughout the year; a Drowning Prevention Event, Super CPR Event and several Synchronized Swimming and Dive events. Please visit our contact page on NRPS.org if you would like to contact our board members to receive additional information on any of our events, attending a meeting or becoming a member. Did you know‌ Scholarships are available for Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Training Instructor, Lifeguard Management, Lifeguard Training and CPR/AED classes? Contact 702-595-0010 for more information.
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NRPS Conference Updates The 2016 NRPS Conference is rapidly approaching. This year’s conference will be held April 13th-15th at The D Las Vegas in Downtown Las Vegas. The education sessions are coming together nicely and we have received submissions from a very diverse and experienced group of professional speakers in addition to a nice selection of industry operators that will provide attendees with a great value and selection for their session selections. Registration for attendees and vendors is now open on the new and improved NRPS website. This year’s registration is easier than ever and has been set-up to allow for ease of use and efficiency when signing up to attend. This year’s registration fees include discounted rates for students and retirees as well as early-bird registration rates until March 25th. We have also confirmed with NRPA that Las Vegas will be hosting a Certified Playground Safety Inspection (CPSI) course to coincide with the State Conference at the Desert Breeze Recreation Center. The course will be held April 11th-13th. We are also in the process of finalizing multiple Off-Site Institutes that will be available to conference attendees, with more information and sign-up options to be available shortly. This year’s conference theme is “Renew Your Vows”, in tribute to a renewed sense of purpose and value in State Society involvement and the wonderful career that is the Parks and
Aquatics Information SynchroFitness Instructor Certification will be held at Churchill County Pool, Fallon on April 2nd 8am-4:30pm, Cost: $50 AEA members, $60 non-members. SynchroFitness is recognized by AEA as a CEC provider. Introduce a new fitness program at your facility with certified instructors and provide an opportunity for your instructors to obtain cost friendly CEU’s.
The next Northern NRPS Aquatics Committee meeting will be held at Carson Aquatic Facility, Carson City on March 9th at 1pm.
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Clark County Updates NEW HIRES Heather Holly has accepted a position as a Recreation Specialist at the Whitney Recreation Center. Heather has a Bachelor’s degree in Wellness Management with an emphasis on Recreation from Black Hills State University. Her previous work experience with the Department includes seven years as a Recreation/Cultural Specialist II and six years as a Program Assistant working at various centers. She brings a wealth of programming experience and skills to her new full time position. Heather has a reputation for providing excellent customer service to the patrons she has served. She is a welcome addition to the Whitney Recreation and Senior Center as we work toward enhanced programs and events for the Whitney community. Dominique Wright-Ellis has accepted a position as a Recreation Specialist at the Robert “Bob” Price Recreation Center. Dominique worked for Clark County Parks and Recreation from 2009-2015 as a Program Assistant at Paradise Recreation Center, involved with various recreation activities such as day camps, classes, programs and events for children, teens, adults, and seniors, etc. Since April 2015, Dominique has been a Program Manager for the Las Vegas chapter of After-School All-Stars, organizing and coordinating recreation activities at various school sites. Dominique has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. DEPARTMENT NEWS On Feb 16th Aquatics part-time staff member Dale Ward was honored by the Commissioner for his outstanding customer service and care provided to a patron at Cora Coleman Pool who needed assistance after a back injury. The Commissioner received a letter from the patron showing his gratitude and appreciation for Dale’s efforts.
Carson City Update Mike Freeman formerly of the Fernley Pool has taken over the role of Aquatics Director for Carson City. Mike is a member of the NRPS Aquatics Board and is a valuable member of our society. We wish Mike the best of luck with this new appointment and look forward to him having many more great years representing the state of Nevada. He can be reached at mfreeman@carson.org.
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NRPS AWARDS - Apply Today!!!! 2016 NRPS AWARDS: DEADLINE March 14, 2016 The Awards committee is very excited to present to you the new and improved 2016 conference awards. All awards will be submitted online, with your supplemental supporting documentation to be submitted to the awards committee at a later time. All awards directions have been updated and in some cases qualifying criteria has been changed, so please download the PDF information page of the awards you will be applying for, prior to applying online. All information about awards will be posted on the NRPS website by 2/5/2016. If you would like a jump start on the awards information please email Token Barnthouse or Mickey Sprott.
MLB Pitch, Hit and Run Looking for a new competition to add to your department this coming spring??? As Nevada is one of the weaker states for the MLB Pitch, Hit and Run competition, it is only right to try and step up our game as a state and show off the talent we have here. PHR annually reaches over 600,000 boys and girls between the ages of 7 to 14. The program includes four levels of competition, with top performers in all 30 markets competing at Major League ballparks, followed by the National Finals at the MLB AllStar Game. PHR is FREE to both hosts and participants. The competition takes only a few hours at most to complete and being a free event, it will only add to the interest for families. The winners get a chance to compete and be recognized on a national level. Our very own Nick Montoya of Mesquite is a representative for the MLB program and can answer any additional questions you may have about the competition. Feel free to contact him at his office at (702) 346-8732.
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Join the Leadership Institute!!! Leadership Institute is the Nevada Recreation & Park Society’s new annual leadership development program for early to mid-career professionals. Leadership development is critical to public and park and recreation employees. It provides participants and agencies with skill sets, competencies, and a growing expertise that enhances their success on the job and helps build individual and organizational futures! The 1-year program will enhance individual organizational leadership skills, specifically addressing leadership styles, philosophies, and competencies. In addition, the program explores and introduces participants to emerging approaches of integrating leadership development to personal growth concentrating on participatory and collaborative leadership. The intent is to prepare leaders for today with essential skills and for a future that will increasingly see managers take on challenges that require strategic thinking, collaboration, systems thinking, leading change, and becoming comfortable with ambiguity.
Training Opportunities Southern Nevada
NO UPCOMING TRAININGS LISTED
Northern Nevada
NO UPCOMING TRAININGS LISTED
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NRPS Membership The Nevada Recreation and Parks Society (NRPS) is a non-profit, professional organization, founded in 1958. Its main purpose is to promote the growth and development of Nevada recreation and parks. NPRS is affiliated with the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). NPRS has several levels of membership to meet the needs of all parks and recreation professionals, students, retirees, agencies, and affiliates. PROFESSIONAL This category includes persons who are or have been employed full time in an executive, leadership or supportive staff capacity within a public or private agency or department of recreation or parks or educational institution. ($30) RETIRED PROFESSIONAL This category includes any persons over 45 years of age, who has been a Professional Member of NRPS, NRPA, or an NRPA Affiliate for a minimum of ten (10) years and has officially retired from a qualified professional position. ($15) ASSOCIATE This category includes persons who are employed part time or volunteers within the recreation and parks field, and who subscribe and agree to the aims and objectives of this society. ($15) STUDENT This category includes persons who are enrolled full time in high school, colleges or universities with an interest in parks and recreation or an allied field. ($10) AGENCY This category includes the Agency Director and members of the policy or advisory board or commission. Dues are based on full time employee (FTE) equivalent. ($250 – 20 FTE’s or more; $150 – under 20 FTE’s) ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION AND AFFILIATE This category includes national, state, and local organizations, hospitals, colleges, universities, clubs, and local, state or regional societies and organizations. ($50) COMMERCIAL This category includes all vendors, commercial and for-profit organizations who subscribe and agree to the aims and objectives of this society. ($50) HONORARY May be bestowed upon those persons approved by this society’s Executive Board.
Future Newsletter Announcements Please send submissions for the NRPS monthly newsletter to Danny Gleich DGleich@churchillcounty.org We want to hear from you! Pictures, Articles, Announcements …..
Nevada Recreation and Park Society (NRPS) Nevada Recreation and Park Society PO Box 97264 Las Vegas, Nevada 89054 Contact the President: E-mail: nrps@live.com
Check out our new website!!! WWW.NRPS.ORG Creating Communities Through People, Parks and Programs!
NRPS Executive Board President -Daniel McLean, Ph.D Past President - Nate Jaramillo President Elect - Adam Blackmore Vice President North - Andy Bass, MBA Vice President South Sharon Cornell Secretary - Kathy Burkhardt Treasurer - Kristy Bekiares, MBA, CPRP, CPO
Member At Large North Danny Gleich, MS, CPRP Darrin Price, BA, CPO Shauna Nelson Token Barnthouse, MS Member At Large South Katie Fese Nick McLemore Michelle Shaffer Mickey Sprott PSWC - Dundee Jones