August 2015 VRPS Presidents Newsletter

VRPS

The Virginia Recreation and Park Society The Virginia Recreation and Park Society is a private, non-profit professional organization, founded in 1953 and incorporated in 1956.

Its purpose is to unite all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia, into one body.

Bring It

President’s Newsletter On Your Mark

August 2015

LTI 2016

VRPS Board

to the Beach!

New Track Meet Success

Learn, Transform & Inspire

Hard at work - for you!

November, 7 - 10, 2015 in Virginia Beach. Registration is now open! Opening Session with Tom O’Roarke, Keynote Speaker is at 10AM on Sunday.

Central Service Area fills the gap created with the loss of Hershey Track and Field. The Central Virginia Track and Field Finals will be an annual event.

This dynamic, one of a kind training is one that you must register early to guarantee that you have a space! Come up for air, April 24 - 26 at LTI!

At your service! Your VRPS Board members are working to serve YOU! We have the latest update on the work taking place on the strategic plan.

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VRPS Highlights - Summer 2015 Webinars

This year, VRPS has offered a variety of valuable webinars, as part of your member benefit. Recent webinars have been hosted by Department of Conservation and Recreation (Scenic and Water Trails ) and Musco Lighting (LED Lighting).

Thanks to the nearly 40 members who participated in these webinars! We hope that you enjoyed them!

Don’t forget to cast your vote before ballots close!

Central Service Area

August 27

VRPS Board of Directors

August 28

Aquatics Resource Group

September 7

Northern Service Area

September 7

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VRPS Highlights - Summer 2015 Event Risk Management and Marketing for the Recreation Professional These great workshop topics will be covered at the Southwest Service Area Fall Workshop on Friday, September 11 in Rocky Mount,

Registration closes on Friday, September 4 so be sure to register online for only $15 now at vrps.com. Save your seat (and lunch) to hear presentations from Mike Guzo from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and a panel of Marketing professionals from Roanoke County, Danville and Roanoke City For more details, see page 6.

Theme Park Tickets

Just a reminder Parks and Rec ticket returns and payments should have been turned in , please check to be sure your account is up to date, Check your Fall Fun tickets, there has been a change in dates.

Park is closed to the public on Monday, October 12 (Columbus Day).

vrps.com - keep your profile up to date

Change your email address? Earn a new certification? Have a special designation Make sure you log in to www.vrps.com and edit your profile. Here, you can update your password, make sure we have the most up to date professional information about you. This is where your conference name badge comes from, so represent yourself completely!

In the “Edit/View Information� section you can identify your Service Area and sign up for a Resource Group! What a great way to get involved!

VRPS Foundation

Foundation membership fees helps support scholarships for Virginia parks and recreation professionals and students. From January 2012 to May 2015, the Foundation awarded $28,750 in scholarships.

Is your membership current? VRPS Foundation membership is at an all-time high.

Keep your eye on the Educational Endowment Fund, together we can reach the goal!

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hat ’s w t a k l Loo Annua S P R V e! on the ce schedul ren d yet? e Confe r e t s i g

Friday 8AM - 5PM AFO*

* Pre-conference institutes require pre-registration

Saturday

u re Are yo

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

registration 2 - 5PM

registration 7:30AM - 4PM

registration 7AM - 4PM

registration 7:30 - 11AM

Project Learning Tree*

Educational Sessions

Educational Sessions

12PM - 5PM

10AM - 12PM

11AM- 12PM

Resource Group Meetings 8:30AM- 12:30PM

10AM - 5PM

Teaming Up Teambuilding at the Adventure Park* 12PM - 5PM

Behind the Scenes Facility Tour* 7- 10PM Welcome Social

8:30 - 9:45AM

Opening Session with Tom O’Roarke, Keynote Speaker and Business Meeting 12 - 1PM

8AM- 12:15PM

Directors Forum

12 - 4PM

Lunch on your own

Exhibit Hall Adventure

1:15 - 5:30PM

6 - 7PM

Educational Sessions 5:40 - 6:15PM

Service Area Meetings 6:15 - 8PM Dinner on your own 8 - 11:30PM Social

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Cocktail Hour 7 - 9:30PM

Awards Banquet and Dinner

8 - 8:30AM

Educational Sessions

So much to do, so little time

With the end of summer upon us, many of our calendars are filled withe after-school programs, fall festivals, football practices, tournaments and trail work. Be sure to remember these upcoming important VRPS dates and deadlines.

August 31

NSA - Interpretation as a Management Tool Registration

September 15

(Early rate deadline)

September 1 September 1 September 4

Presidents Newsletter Deadline

(please send in your ideas/news)

September 23 - 25 CPSI September 24 Aquatics - Trends in Aquatics Workshop September 25 NSA - Interpretation as a Management Tool Workshop October 2 SRG - New Directions for the New Senior Conference

Scholarship Deadline

(Senior Resource Group Fall Conference)

Student Scholarship Deadline

(Annual Conference)

CPSI Registration

(Regular rate deadline)

September 11 SWSA - Connect Fall Workshop November 7 - 10

Complete Park and Playground Solutions For all your park and playground needs, choose Cunningham Recreation. We can offer our customers quality park and playground products, custom design capabilities and excellent service.

800.438.2780 cunninghamrec.com

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Learn, Transform and Inspire

by Nancy Ellis

Ask one of your fellow professionals if they have ever attended the Leadership Training Institute or “LTI”.

If they have, chances are they will first provide you with a smile as they reflect on their own experiences on the mountain and then follow up with a “you should go, if you get the opportunity. It is one of the best training experiences I’ve had!” So, why the hype?

Credibility The Institute, part of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, began 30 years ago and was one of the country’s first state organizations to establish this groundbreaking model leadership training for their professionals. Over 400 professionals have graduated from the Institute including 90% of Directors and upper level management in Virginia Parks and Recreation Departments.

Relevant Education topics and the variety in the method of delivery of sessions are designed to develop individual leaders to support strong professionals within our society and local communities. Attendees will assess their leadership style and strengths and gain valuable insight into how to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Unique Unlike most training and education programs, LTI’s approach to learning and developing focuses on “breaking from the familiar”. From its beautiful setting on top of the mountain at Wintergreen, attendees learn team building, conflict resolution, and effective communication skills while networking with professionals across the state. Participants arrive as individuals seeking new and improved leadership skills and leave with new friendships and professional connections that continue for years.

Fun Our jobs are incredibly demanding and we seldom take time to focus on our individual development needs which are critical to be able to continue to provide the outstanding programs and facilities our citizens have come to expect from us. Laughter, humor and making new friends are the key ingredients to a successful institute.

Take the time now to consider this opportunity to LEARN from nationally recognized leaders, TRANSFORM into a leader in your department and community and INSPIRE others utilizing the leadership and professional skills acquired by becoming a graduate of the Leadership Training Institute.

Registration is now open on the VRPS website. Follow LTI on Facebook and look for us at the Annual Conference in Virginia Beach. page

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1-800- QUIT NOW 1-800-784-8669 V I R G I N I A

QUITNOW.NET/VIRGINIA

QUIT NOW AD REV1

Thursday, July 18, 2013 11:17:38 AM

register online before September 4 at vrps.com

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VRPS Board of Directors Strategic Plan Update

by Kim Turner

The Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) Board of Directors would like to thank members for their participation in the VRPS Strategic Plan Member Survey this summer. The survey provided a great deal of information as a basis for the upcoming Strategic Plan. The results confirmed the overall member satisfaction with VRPS. It also prompted critical conversations regarding what VRPS members needed and desired in an organization. Over 275 VRPS members participated in the survey. Board members, staff, and other members involved in the survey findings will continue to reference and communicate results, trends and patterns as they integrated into the VRPS Strategic Plan.

We look forward to your continued involvement in member services and feedback. VRPS unites those engaged in the field of recreation, parks and leisure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The only thing that is constant is change – let’s unite together in change. We hope you share in the excitement of the plans for VRPS – we think you will like what you see!

In the upcoming weeks, the VRPS Board will be hard at work pulling together the strategic initiatives, summarizing the findings of both internal and external trends and developing a draft document to share with you. At the Annual Conference, there will be a variety of opportunities to learn about the process, findings as well as review and provide feedback. Don’t worry, if you cant make it to the conference, we will have a webinar and other avenues to share and discuss!

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Kick off meeting for the 2016 Virginia Senior Games is September 15 Watch for information and get involved!

May 10 - 14, 2016 Newport News, VA

Central Virginia Track and Field

by Justin Bullock

The first Annual Central Virginia Track & Field Finals was held Saturday, June 6 at Caroline High School. 150 youth, ages 9-14, throughout Central Virginia were invited to this free event where the participants competed in various track and field events. Following the exciting competitions, medals were awarded to top finishers.

In partnership with Caroline County Parks and Recreation, the Central Service Area, and JOHN ROBB Custom Homes, Inc. of Fredericksburg sponsored the event.

The track and field finals encourage children to reach their potential and develop a sense of accomplishment through running, jumping and throwing events. Participating parks and recreation departments included the counties of Caroline, King George, and Louisa, as well as the cities of Fredericksburg, Colonial Heights and Fort Lee U.S. Army Installation.

Justin Bullock, Event Coordinator and the Sports and Fitness Supervisor of Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation, was thrilled to host this type of event for the community. “We are excited to continue the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society’s (VRPS) long standing tradition of track and field programs. The track and field finals promote healthy and active living through participation in various running and field events,” said Bullock. The Central Virginia Track & Field Finals will be offered again in 2016 and will be advertised to VRPS members.

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Bring it to the Beach!

November 7 - 10

Check out the conference schedule on pg 3 (and vrps.com) to plan your time at the conference. The Opening Session and Business Meeting, with Keynote Speaker Tom O’Rourke, Executive Director of Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission, in Charleston South Carolina, is at 10:00 am on Sunday.

Pre-Conference Institutes

Pre-registration and payment required

u Aquatic Facility Operator Certification Course u This 2 day course provides in-depth instruction in all facets of aquatic facility operation and management including: filtration, disinfection, water testing and treatment, design considerations, facility management, risk management, facility troubleshooting, and much more. Upon successful completion of the AFO course and exam, participants will be certified by the National Recreation and Park Association. Certification is valid for 5 years and is renewable. u Teaming Up! The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium u Team up at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium to jumpstart your VRPS Conference experience! Engage in team development activities designed to enrich this session of climbing and zip lining on 13 treetop trails created for climbers of every ability level. Join in activities that explore the roles of communication, collaboration and trust in creating a dynamic, innovative and productive team. u Behind the Scenes Facility Tours, Virginia Beach and Beyond u Enjoy touring state of the art facilities in Virginia Beach and Norfolk including Williams Farm Recreation Center, Bow Creek Recreation Center, and the Hampton Roads Kroc Center. Get behind the scenes viewpoints and gain insight into all areas of management including safety, maintenance, staffing, scheduling, rentals, marketing and much more. u Virginia Department of Forestry, Project Learning Tree: A Park Educator’s Best Friend u Project Learning Tree offers award-winning activities on a broad array of topics, such as leaves, camouflage, sounds and smells of nature, tree identification, water conservation, local ecology, pollution, and natural resource management. Participants will receive copies of the PLT Pre-K-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide, with 96 activities, and PLT’s Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood, with 11 units. All activities are correlated to Virginia’s Standards of Learning and are easily shaped into fun-filled park programs.

Educational Session Highlights u

Grant Writing for a Purpose | Dr. Eddie Hill & Jennifer Goff u

u Cost Recovery and Pricing in Action | Chris Nunes, CPRE - The Woodlands Parks & Recreation Director

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u Start Achieving Your Dreams Today! | Dara Kalvort, MBA - Multi Media Sales Manager with WVEC u u How to Deliver Superior Customer Service | John Houser u u How to Encourage Organizational Improvement | Cindy Curtis, CPRP - Deputy City Manager, City of Virginia Beach u u Dealing with the 3 D’s: The Difficult, Demotivated, and Duds | Bobbi Nance, CPRP - Oak Park District Project Manage u u Hey Coach: Positive Practical Approaches to Athletes and Parents | Lori Hoffner u

Lodging

Lodging is provided by our host hotel the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront 3001 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 - 757-213-3000 u

City View: $94 u Oceanview: $119 u Oceanfront: $139 u Ref: “Virginia Recreation & Park Society” Block good until October 17 or until filled. Tax 13% + $1 per room/per night Occupancy Tax

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