May 2016 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.

President’s Newsletter Outside Up:

Explore the Possibilities, November 5 - 8!

Save the date for the 2016 VRPS Annual Conference in Roanoke. page

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May 2016

Senior Resource Group

Save the Date

Feedback Needed

Learn about the latest trends in recreation and 50 and better programs.

From aquatics to events, management to summer programs, service areas and resource groups have amazing workships planned!

We need to know what interest areas you are looking for moving forward. There is a quick survey you need to complete!

Building Blocks for Active Older Adults, October 7

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VRPS Trainings

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Resource Groups

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The VRPS Board is committed to keeping our members informed and engaged, so we would like to take this opportunity to invite each member or a potential member to…….

ASK THE BOARD If there is anything members are not sure of and would like to know please send your ASK THE BOARD information to the 2016 Board of Directors via email to board@vrps.com.

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VRPS Highlights Recent Training Highlights CPRP Bootcamp

On April 8, 2016 a lively group of thirteen Recreation Professionals and six students met at Old Dominion University for the Eastern Service Area’s 3rd Annual CPRP Bootcamp. Dr. Eddie Hill and Jennifer Goff of the Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies Program facilitated this informative and helpful workshop.

During this interactive training the participants received test taking tips, strategies for best results and they participated in a practice exam. They were introduced to each section of the exam and were able to ask questions and received answers from experts in the field. Workshop goers expressed their enthusiasm for the material presented and were excited to begin the journey to become Certified Parks and Recreation Professionals.

Becoming a Certified Professional is a worthwhile undertaking as it sends the message to your colleagues in and out of the profession that Parks and Recreation is a serious business and you are committed to your profession. Many thanks to both Dr. Hill and Jennifer Goff for hosting, facilitating this valuable event!

ARG Operations Workshop

February 17th, the Aquatics Resource Group kicked off the year with an Operations workshop, hosted by Reston Association and featuring the expertise of Hank Lavery with Millenium pools and Takisha Cannon of Fairfax County Stormwater Division. Twenty-seven aquatic professionals from around the state then got to tour the Reston Community Center and see a Paddock Evacuator in person!

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Training Opportunities Register now, before these opportunties pass you by!

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Training Opportunities

SENIOR RESOURCE GROUP CONFERENCE Building Blocks for Active Older Adults Friday, October 7, 2016 Attention all professionals who work with 50 and older adults! Please join us on Friday, October 7, 2016 in Virginia Beach at Bow Creek Community Recreation Center on 3427 Clubhouse Road from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. for our annual Senior Resource Group Conference. You will have a great time networking and learning about the latest trends in recreation and senior programs.

Our conference lineup includes Shirley Confino-Rehder, Certified Interior Designer and Business Owner of Universal Design, Ian Phillips of Play-Well TEKnologies, Dr. E. Ayn Welleford, Department Chair of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Gerontology, and Lynne Berg, Director of Primeplus Norfolk Senior Center.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Denise Scruggs, ADC, CDP, CADDCT, Director of Beard Center on Aging at Lynchburg College and a columnist for the Senior News Magazine which is distributed to over 20,000 readers in central and southwestern Virginia. Denise is a Certified Activity Director through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals. She works closely with Parks and Recreation Departments in Region 2000 to promote healthy aging and offer educational programs. Denise is also an active member of a number of community boards and advisory groups including the Lindsay Institute for Innovations in Caregiving and Mental Health America of Central Virginia, among others.

Early registration will open on July 15th. An early bird rate of $45 for members, $55 for non-members and $20 for student will be available. CEU’s will be offered at $10. Regular registration opens on August 16th through September 16th. Registration includes lunch. Scholarships are available.To register or learn more about this year’s conference, explore the Virginia Recreation and Park Society website at www.VRPS.com. page

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Time Travel, the recreation way!

Barb Ziman travels through time. Actually the truth be told, she makes it possible for others to travel back in time and see what life was like during different historic periods. As the Special Event Coordinator with the Resource Management Division at the Fairfax County Park Authority, Barb has organized, coordinated, implemented, evaluated (and whatever other verb you want to throw in) over a hundred special events. From antique car shows to civil war reenactments. From fairs to festivals. From quilt shows to Pirate Fest. She also was part of an event at the Lorton Prison that included one-time only wagon ride tours of the maximum security prison and grounds.

Of course, each event comes with its successes and failures and a great story. She has dealt with angry quilters asking how to show their masterpieces a day after a hurricane came through the park. She has had Civil War reenactors on horseback dodging ruts in the grounds where the car show took place weeks prior. She has smiled and calmed angry parents that felt their kid got the short end of the program stick.

She had to relight candles and campfires during rain/snow showers the night of Sully’s Candlelight Tours, all while in period costume. Her 20 years of special event experience has provided many special memories for the FCPA and the public.

Barb created success. Barb’s special events have generated hundreds of thousands of park visitors and special event participants. They have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in park revenue. Many of her special events have been continuing for decades. New special events are still being created by the area three inches above her contagious smile. Barb knows the tricks of the trade, what works and what certainly does not, and how to keep your horror stories to a minimum

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Give yourself the pep talk you give the kids in your parks

by Michael J. Kalvort, CPRE

Recently, I was talking with some fellow parks and recreation professionals from around the Country. We were all from varied departments and hold different positions. Some of us work for large departments, some in very rural areas, and some in nontraditional departments. We were discussing some of the things which we constantly see from our coworkers, regardless of the size of department, budget allocation, or geographic location. We all had coworkers who were dealing with similar issues, which they thought were out of their control. They blamed their supervisor or other coworkers for their own discipline issues. Some of our recreation programmers and members of our parks team were encouraging to their participants and park attendees, but were unmotivating and negative to their own coworkers, families, and career. It made me think of Earl Nightingale’s, “The Strangest Secret.”

Nightingale says if you take 100 men who start even at the age of 25….do you know what will happen to these men by the time they are 65?

1 will be rich 4 will be financially independent 5 will still be working 54 will be broke Out of the 100 individuals, only 5% will be successful….95% will not. Why is this? Nightingale proposed that most people follow along with the “crowd” and do not try to find new ways to do things and new solutions to problems. They also believe that they are shaped by circumstances beyond their control. In essence, they believe that they have no control, and their lives are shaped by exterior forces and other people.

The interesting thing is, most of us in parks and rec, have at one time in our life, worked with children.

As camp counselors, lifeguards, park attendants, and after school workers, we have all encouraged children to exceed their limitations, try new things, color outside the lines, dream, and to achieve their goals. We push our children to dream big and control their destiny, yet somehow when we enter adulthood and the workforce, we believe that our destiny is out of our hands and in the hands of others.

Many people think they should come up with goals once a year, usually around New Years. In fact, that is the worst time to goal set, as many of us are away from the office, have the stress of holiday gift giving, and are entertaining out of town family. As we all know, those who set written and purposeful goals, are more successful than those who do not. Regardless of education, upbringing, intelligence, or desire; those who work and concentrate on their goals are always more successful than those who do not. In addition, those with goals understand that their future is up to them, and not outside forces.

Simply put, Nightingale stated, “You become what you think about.”

As you get ready to enjoy spring, I ask you to develop new goals, believe in yourself, and give yourself the same pep talk you would give to the kids in your recreation programs and your neighborhood parks…

“You can do what you set your mind to and you are in control of your own happiness and destiny.”

I look forward to seeing you in a park soon.

Michael J. Kalvort, CPRE is the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Virginia Beach. He is currently serves on the VRPS Board and is on the LTI Committee. He also is the NRPA Chair Elect for the Administrator’s Network. page

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VRPS Board of Directors

President’s Notes – April 21 VRPS meeting The VRPS Board of Directors would like to announce the 2016 Executive Board Members: LaTanya Turner, Vice President

Kirk Kincannon, Treasurer

Rita Miller, Lay Trustee

We are excited to have completed and begun implementing the Strategic Plan that was developed and approved under the board leadership of Past President Marcy Durrer.

The Board continues to encourage all professionals to become a VRPS & Foundation member. A great opportunity to not only invest in your future but the future of the Parks & Recreation profession.

The annual Investment Policy Review was conducted by Verus Financial Partners, a full-service financial planning firm who has donated their services to VRPS for 15 years.

Some great information was shared about recent and upcoming conference and events: 2016 Annual Conference, November 5-8, 2016 in Roanoke g Conference Planning Committee meetings are being held monthly in Roanoke g2016 LTI, April 24-26 at Wintergreen g Virginia Senior Games, May 17-21 in Newport News g New Addition, Exclusively on-line registration g Sandra Kellogg & Jason Bookheimer have been selected to Co-Chair the Awards & Citations committee g Charles Hester will serve on the Certification & CEU’s committee g Past President Marcy Durrer will Chair the Nominations & Elections committee Board member 2016 Service Areas, Resource Groups Committees Liaisons Eastern:

LaTanya Turner

Central:

Aaron Reidmiller

Northern: Blythe Russian

Southwestern:

Bill Sgrinia and Doug Blount

Western: Katey Legg

Aquatics:

Blythe Russian

Senior:

Professional Development: Michael Kalvort

Michael Kalvort

Awards & Citation: Aaron Reidmiller

Annual Conference: Margaret Thorne, Jim Stutts

Senior Games:

LTI 2016:

Jim Stutts

Margaret Thorne, LaTanya Turner

Management Conference: Margaret Thorne, LaTanya Turner Legislative:

Jim Stutts, Art Thatcher

HELP ... we need to hear from YOU

From Aquatics to Seniors, Therapeutic Recreation to Cultural Diversity, VRPS has a variety of established Resource Groups. Through the Strategic Plan process the VRPS Board of Directors shared with you in 2015, we heard loud and clear that you, our members, have so many more areas of expertise than these “traditional” groups and you want to network and grow professionally without the confines of the existing formality of the “resource group”.

So, what Resource Group would you get involved with? What are you looking to get out of the group? We need to hear from you! Please follow the link below to complete this short (three question) survey and let your voice be heard!

Share your thoughts on Resource Groups! www.surveymonkey.com/r/PVMRVH2 page

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VRPS 2016 Annual Conference

On behalf of the City of Roanoke, the City of Salem, Botetourt County and Roanoke County, we are excited to host the 2016 VRPS Conference.

Our area is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, as well as a wide range of cultural amenities. Nowhere else in Virginia can you walk the Appalachian Trail, drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, watch a professional sports game and enjoy the vibrant nightlife all in the same day!

The conference will be held at the Hotel Roanoke, which has been a landmark in our area since 1882. Here you’ll be well positioned to enjoy fantastic educational sessions, engaging networking opportunities and a fantastic exhibit hall during the day. In the evenings you’ll be only a short walk away from downtown Roanoke’s restaurants, museums and activities.

We hope you’ll make the Roanoke Valley your destination for exploration in 2016 as we prepare for an amazing annual conference!

David Weir, CPRP Assistant Director of Recreation Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Be a Champion!

A champion is a leader, and the Northern Service Area is seeking them. VRPS provides wonderful services that benefit us as Recreation and Park professionals. VRPS is our best resource to share ideas, benchmark progress among our neighbors, and develop profitable working relationships. The strange thing is that, to some agencies and among many folks, it remains a secret. Why? I think it is because there needs to be more participation. Once you are involved in a service group or resource group, attend a conference or workshop, and simply converse with other professionals, your eyes open to the benefits of VRPS. I can honestly say that when I got involved in the NSA, I feel my professional career began moving at a higher level.

The Northern Service Area has developed positions called NSA Champions. They are liaisons among the NSA, VRPS and their agency. They are promoters, communicators and supporters. Mostly, they are leaders. What is their responsibility? Very simply, they serve as their agency’s representative to NSA. Each Champion reaches out to their agency’s leadership and ask for news, updates, events, and accomplishments to share with the other agencies in VRPS at the NSA meetings. The Champions also relay NSA and VRPS information back to their agencies.

A Champion is a name and a face through which the NSA can communicate to every agency in the service area. The Champion is a critical part of the service area’s leadership, serving as the contact person to transfer information to his or her agency. That information can be distributed in many ways. The Champion does not have to attend every meeting or event. We realize that plates are full and want to accommodate our Champions’ schedule as much as possible. Each agency needs to be aware of and participate in all of the wonderful things that the NSA and VRPS provide towards developing us as professionals. It is a benefit to us and a responsibility of each agency.

On behalf of the Northern Service Area of VRPS, I ask for your assistance to help NSA reach its strategic goal of increasing membership and participation. If you are a VRPS member and want to be a NSA Champion, please let your agency director and the NSA know. If you are that agency director, name your next leader and NSA Champion. The goal is for every park agency in the Northern Service Area to be represented and participate. Please promote NSA participation to your workforce and be a “NSA Champion.” If you need more information, please contact Membership Committee Chair Todd Brown, Fairfax County Park Authority, at 703-324-8676 or todd.brown@fairfaxcounty.gov. page

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News from around the state The Fairfax County Park Authority Board’s current chairman, Bill Bouie of Reston, VA, will be honored on April 22 with The Katherine K. Hanley Public Service Award.

The award is given annually to a community member who exemplifies excellent service and has a positive impact on Fairfax County.

Mr. Bouie also has been active with Reston Herndon Little League, the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Public Links, Inc., and the Reston Hospital Center Board of Trustees. He is serving his eighth term as Park Authority Board chairman.

The award is sponsored by Leadership Fairfax and is named in honor of current Secretary of the Commonwealth Katherine K. Hanley.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has just completed a two-year needs assessment process and like many other park agencies the percentage of use for our parks and recreation facilities is the highest it has been in twenty years!

Consider that 87% of our residents are using our facilities and parks and 91% of our residents feel that parks and recreation add significantly to their quality of life in Fairfax County!

We have also recently completed an economic impact study for the Park Authority and have seen just how much we impact the economy on a local level.

Thanks to New Kent County Parks and Recreation for hosting the Central Service Area Meeting at the New Kent County Visitiors Center on Thursday, April 28!

George Mason University hosted an aquatic roundtable at the Freedom Center on March 31st.

Everything from pop up swim schools to mermaid tails were discussed, and we even got Timon and Pumba to teach us about water safety. As always, we toured an awesome aquatic venue as well.

Stay tuned for the Second Annual Virtual Lifeguard Competition, rolling out soon! Last year ten teams competed for the title of Best in State, make sure your staff and facility is highlighted this year!

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