The Virginia Recreation and Park Society Uniting all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, park and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia into one body. PRESIDENT’S NEWSLETTER 2013 Annual Conference From the Keynote, to 70+ sessions, to social events,, to the Expo - there’s a lot happening in James City County Pages 2-4
MAY 2013 2012 Awards
Around Virginia
Awards & Citations are looking for the best of the best - so show us what you’ve got!
The Service Areas and Resource Groups have ways for you to get involved.
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Legislative Update & Foundation
Looking Ahead
What went on in the General Assembly, and what does this mean for you?
See what’s in store for the coming months and beyond. NPSI, Leaf Peepin’ in Maine, 2014 call for committee members and more.
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The 2013 Management Conference, hosted by Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Public Facilities, was held in February. Over 70 management professionals from across Virginia attended this bi-annual conference. Speakers from across the country brought information and experience that will help us move our organizations forward.
Once again VRPS partnered with Toro to offer a fun and educational workshop for athletic field, irrigation and turf maintenance personnel. New material included pesticide and fertilization application. Guest speakers Dale Getz, CSFM with Toro, and Mike Goatley with Virginia Tech once again joined us for an informative seminar.
Held at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House, the Management Conference had exceptional speakers, fantastic food, and wonderful accommodations. In addition, thanks to the hard work of the Fredericksburg staff, this was the most profitable Management Conference ever!
Special thanks to the four host localities - Salem, Fairfax, Henrico and Chesapeake.
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The Annual Awards Presentation will take place on Monday, September 9, 2013 at the VRPS Annual Conference in James City County. This event honors exemplary members, volunteers, and agencies of the Parks and Recreation community for achievements during 2012. All nominations are given careful consideration; however, the committee reserves the right to choose not to make an award in all categories. The full application packet, with criteria, nomination instructions and more can be accessed here.
CALL FOR ENTRIES Fellows Award Distinguished Service Distinguished Volunteer Service Outstanding New Professional Distinguished Private Sector
Best New Program Best New Special Event Best New Environmental Sustainability Best Promotional Effort - Traditional Best Promotional Effort - Specialty
Best New Facility (Bricks & Mortar) Best New Facility (Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways & Trails)
Best New Renovation/Addition (Bricks & Mortar)
Best New Renovation/Addition (Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways & Trails)
VRPS
Deadline for submission: June 14, 2013, 4pm (postmarked or hand delivered) Submit completed packets to: 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike Suite 109 Mechanicsville, VA 23111
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The Central Service Area enjoyed a round of disc golf as a part of their April quarterly meeting held at White Bank Park in the City of Colonial Heights. The designer of the course, Daniel Cotter, gave a presentation on how the course has evolved from a very rough, nine-hole object course to one of the parks primary and most heavily used amenities. The course is now 18 holes with metal baskets, concrete tee pads, and hole signs at each tee. Matt Spruill, Recreation Superintendent with Colonial Heights, also spoke on the partnership between the City and the disc golf community. Local supporters are responsible for much of the course’s maintenance throughout the year, as well as skill clinics and fundraising activities. The disc golf course was featured at this meeting because it is a prime example of how public agencies can work with special interest groups in the community to accomplish shared goals, and how to bring life to unused spaces in park settings at a very minimal cost. A good time was had by all!
Around
Virginia
Want to Get Involved? Central Service Area Next Meeting: Thursday, August 29; Hanover Contact: Aaron Reidmiller - Chair Eastern Service Area Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 15; Virginia Beach Contact: Hugo Morrison - Chair Northern Service Area Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 10; Arlington Contact: Karen Lussier - Chair Southwestern Service Area Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 17; Lifeguard Competition Contact: Maggie Mace - Chair Western Service Area Next Meeting: September; Annual Conference Contact: Erik Dart - Chair
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Resource Groups Want to Get Involved? Aquatics Resource Group Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 17; Lifeguard Competition Contact: Laura Kowalski - Chair Senior Resource Group Next Meeting: Friday, June 7; Spring Workshop Contact: Judy Jones - Chair Therapeutic Resource Group Contact: Julie Townsend
If you are interested in reviving the Athletic, Outdoor Recreation and/or Cultural Diversity Resource Groups, please email Katey Legg.
Southwest Service Area “Play Line” The VRPS Southwest Service Area invites the membership to join them once a month as they discuss trends, hot topics and other recreational opportunities that are sweeping the region and nation. This conference call roundtable takes place the first Thursday of each month at 2:00 pm. Past subjects include Adventure Racing and Youth Athletics. For more information or to suggest a topic, contact Bill Sgrinia or Maggie Mace.
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Legislative Updates Several key bills were passed during by the General Assembly in 2013. One of the most notable topics was the Moveable Soccer Goal Safety Act. VRPS is currently working with a stakeholders’ group to make recommendations for the 2014 General Assembly. In addition, water quality programs were addressed as well as the Freedom of Information Act and how it pertains to minors’ records. Special thanks to Eldon James & Associates, Inc. for keeping the interests of VRPS and our profession at the forefront. Also, thanks to Art Thatcher, VRPS Vice President, for serving as the VRPS representative on the Moveable Soccer Goal work group. As more information becomes available, we will be sure to share it with you. You are strongly encouraged to read the 2013 Legislative Report on the VRPS website. This provides more information on key bills and what it means for you.
Because of you, the Capital Campaign is nearing its Big Finish!! VRPS moved into a new building a little over 5 years ago, with a mortgage of $400,000. Today, that balance is down to less than $39,000. The Foundation Board has set an aggressive, but achievable, goal of paying off the building in 2013. Your donations, both individually and as Service Areas & Resource Groups made this possible!
The Foundation Board would like to recognize its members: Life C. William Boyce Ronald A. Reynolds Michael S. Wise Gerald L. Witt
Platinum Robert K. Antozzi Cindy A. Curtis Ann Marie E. Heiser Eldon L. James Michael J. Nealer Diane M. Ryburn Greg Sager James C. Stutts Dinesh V. Tiwari Susan D. Walston
Century Arthur A. Anselene Ralph W. Baird Michael D. Barber Needham S. Cheely Sara Lu Christian
Century (cont.)
9.64% to go!
Century (cont.)
Robert A. Clifton William J. Conkle Lisa A. Cooke Darrell R. Crittendon John H. Davis Marcy G. Durrer Nancy E. Ellis Arlana G. Fauntleroy Sean E. Gleason John C. Hamlin Michael J. Kalvort Lakey S. Logan Constance R. McAdam Philip B. Mease Cindy Messinger Karen Kendrick Mier Deborah P. Nolen Michael D. Poplawski Cindy S. Roeder Pamela J. Sheets Jane C. Shelhorse Carol E. Steele Arthur G. Thatcher
Jo Turek Chris J. Tuttle Susan R. Van Patten William E. Winfrey Amanda Woodson Beth Wood-Whitley
Gold Elizabeth L. Brown Steven C. Buschor Michael Clark E. Jay Ellington Paul Gilbert Charles E. Hester Katherine B. Legg Cheryl Lea Thomas-Wheeler Margaret G. Thorne LaTanya K. Turner Judith L. Wilder Al Wilder Steven D. Wood
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Silver Kelly E. Davis Brian P. Fuller David J. Hart Jessica A. Rhea Melissa Poretz Riddy Ann M. Skildum Matthew L. Spruill Michael P. Ward Katherine D. Williams
Bronze John H. Carnifax Amy-Jo Hendrix Brent Hodnett Sheila S. Newton Alan S. Nogiec Blythe Russian Maureen Sturgill Katherine D. Trask Lisa McLemore Walker
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MAY 2013 Leaf-Peeping & Lobsters: Maine’s Coast in Autumn September 15-21, 2013 Through a wonderful partnership between VRPS, Shenandoah County Parks & Recreation, Clarke County Parks & Recreation and PML Travel & Tours, VRPS is offering a wonderful fall trip to Maine. The trip was created as a fundraiser for the Society for future projects. This trip is open to the general public and you are encouraged to use the marketing materials on the website to help promote it to your communities. The trip includes: 6 Nights Accommodation 6 Breakfasts and & 4 Dinners Guided Tours of Portland, Kennebunkport, and more A visit to Acadia National Park And so much more! For more information, visit the Travel & Tours section of the VRPS website.
Call For Volunteers - 2014 Annual Conference at The Homestead! The 2014 Annual Conference is scheduled for Dec 6-9 at the Homestead in Hot Springs and will be planned and executed by a statewide committee. Volunteers are currently being sought for committee chair and co-chair positions. Available committee assignments include special events and activities, conference coordination and logistics, volunteers, and marketing. We are also seeking those with marketing, graphic design or creative genius talents to help develop the conference theme and logo. The ’14 team will meet on May 23rd to kick-off its planning process. If you are interested in committee lead position, or have an expertise to offer, please contact conference chairs Laura McCarty or Cindy Roeder. Those interested in support positions may also express interest for committee work to begin this fall.
ead day, L o T n r ver Lea e Fo r e r i p s n ow, I Tomorr
Leadership Training Institute 2014 April 27‐29, 2014 Wintergreen Resort
Hershey’s Track & Field Games
Leadership Training Institute provides participants with the high impact tools and essential insights necessary to become truly exceptional leaders What did I like best about LTI?... “Many things. The setting, the instructors, and their subjects that always kept my interest, the format, and most of all, how a group of people who in most cases never met left after 3 days
Don’t delay...Talk to your supervisor today so you can be a part of the 2014 experience!
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Created in 1975, the Games is the largest youth sports program of its kind in the US & Canada. The goal is to introduce children to physical fitness through basic events like running, jumping and throwing. If you’re interested in getting involved at the local, regional or state level, please contact Paul Berryman, State Coordinator.
PRESIDENT’S NEWSLETTER
MAY 2013 Call for VRPS Board Service 2014-2016 The VRPS Nominations and Elections Committee is soliciting suggestions/nominations of individual members to be considered for the elections slate for 3 professional positions on the Board of Directors. The committee is also encouraging interested individuals to submit their names and qualifications for consideration. These opportunities consist of a 3-year commitment to serve on the VRPS Board of Directions. You can get more information here.
Contact Us VRPS Board of Directors
2013 VRPS Discount Ticket Program Click here for more information!
President* Katey Legg, CPRP Vice President* Art Thatcher, CPRP Treasurer* Marcy Durrer, CPRP Lay Member* Ed Hamilton, Ph.D Board Member Lisa Cooke, CPRP, AFO Board Member Cindy Roeder Board Member Cindy Messinger, CPRP Board Member Kathy Williams, CTRS Board Member Michael McCarty, CPRP Board Member LaTanya Turner Executive Director* Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE * Executive Board
Email the full Board at board@vrps.com Email the Executive Board at exboard@vrps.com
VRPS Central Office 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike Suite 109 Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111 (804) 730-9477 www.vrps.com vrps@vrps.com Jim Stutts - Executive Director - jim@vrps.com Marlene Bresee - Office Manager - marlene@vrps.com Karen Florey - Office Assistant - karen@vrps.com Nancy Turnage - Office Assistant - nancy@vrps.com
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