Achieving Our State Board Goals

by Frank Carson • CPRS President

This is my final note as the president of the California Park & Recreation Society. I had several goals for this year. First was to create a stronger level of synergy among the state board and I feel that we have achieved that working through bylaws and other matters that relate to governance of our society. My second goal was to help teach parks and recreation professionals how to tell our story. I have done this through presentations in Lake Arrowhead, Sacramento, Coronado, Solvang, Chino Hills, West Hollywood, Tustin and everywhere in between. My third goal was to have a unique way to connect with members in all 15 districts through running a 5K with professionals in that area. At the time I am writing this article, I have six more to go. I still plan to get to all 15 districts.

Connecting with members in this new way by running, walking or hiking a 5K has been a great experience. Most recently I was in Healdsburg with CPRS District 1 being led by Matt Milde. It was a cool 33 degrees when we’re about to start the 5K that morning and I didn’t plan too well. I was the only one wearing shorts. Then there was a young man from the local running store that was there to start us in stretches and he was wearing shorts. I congratulated him for being the only other person wearing shorts. He said he was from Alaska. Being that I am from San Diego, I could not relate, but we had a great laugh.

During that run all 30 of us were wearing yellow. In the CPRS world the color yellow refers to our advocacy efforts, or as I like to say, “sharing our story.” Everybody we passed would say hello to us. Toward the end of the run an older couple stopped me and asked why all the yellow. I stopped and shared that I was happy they asked and that the yellow is for the California Park & Recreation Society. More importantly, it is about sharing our story and sharing the value of park access for all.

I also look forward to the upcoming years of leadership on the state board. Your next President, Doug Grove, is going to take our society to the next level followed by Kyla Brown and Cindy Bagley. All three have a long history of supporting the parks and recreation profession and leading us through very difficult times, most recently during COVID. Lastly, it has been my sincere pleasure representing you at the state level and serving the profession as we leap into the future.

2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT Frank Carson City of El Cajon 619-441-1756 fcarson@cityofelcajon.us

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Doug Grove, RLA, ASLA, LEED AP RHA Landscape Architects 951-781-1930 dougg@rhala.com

VICE PRESIDENT Kyla Brown Riverside County Regional Park & Open Space District 951-955-4306 kylabrown@rivco.org

SECRETARY-TREASURER

Nicole Acquisti, CPRP City of Burlingame 650-558-7337 nacquisti@burlingame.org

REGION 1 REPRESENTATIVE (Dist 1, 2, 3) Adam Chow, CPRP City of San Ramon 925-973-3321 achow@sanramon.ca.gov

REGION 2 REPRESENTATIVE (Dist 4, 5, 6) Lauren Merriman City of Campbell 408-866-2107 laurenm@campbellca.gov

REGION 3 REPRESENTATIVE (Dist 7, 8, 15) Lauren Cronk Standard School District lcronk@standarschools.net

REGION 4 REPRESENTATIVE (Dist 11, 13, 14) Victoria Reyna, CPRP Jurupa Community Services District 951-727-3524 vreyna@jcsd.us

REGION 5 REPRESENTATIVE (Dist 9, 10, 12)

Jenni Worsham City of Fountain Valley 714-593-4447 jenni.worsham@fountainvalley.org

SECTION REPRESENTATIVES (Administrators, Recreation and Recreation Therapy) Tiarra Warner City of Rohnert Park 707-588-3407 twarner@rpcity.org

(Aging, Aquatics, Development & Operations and Educators) Teri deRosier Cosumnes Community Services District 916-405-5605 TerideRosier@csdparks.com

Please contact any Board Member with questions or comments

The X-TREME NINJA line by Greenfields Outdoor Fitness is ready to test your strength, agility, and endurance. Race through the obstacles, improve your time, and compete with friends! Not for the faint of heart, the X-TREME NINJA course offers challenging features such as rotating cone wheels, hovering beams, jump boards and much more!

$40,000 Grants Available!

Scan to request info >

For the first time in 20+ years, the CONNECTIONS CPRS Conference & Expo is returning to San Diego. And as always, top-notch education will be a feature at CONNECTIONS! Attendees have come to expect a vibrant and exciting Expo Hall and this year will be no different. Our socials and special events will also be as incredible as always. The only thing changing will be the days of the week. This year’s conference dates will be Monday-Thursday.

Connections

April 3-6, 2023

San Diego Convention Center

Learning CONNECTIONS

Our highly rated educational program has always been the major draw to the CONNECTIONS Conference. And this year’s program includes a variety of topics that will satisfy attendees. From creating outstanding programs to how to market those programs, from developing staff to managing volunteers, from overhauling an aquatic facility to dealing with the drought. The Intensives, break out sessions, panel discussions and keynote speakers will cover what you need to know.

We experimented with three general sessions at last year’s conference and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. So we’re bringing it back with three incredible speakers. See page 10 for details on the speakers and their subjects.

The key to any good conference is to give attendees the information, resources and inspiration to make a positive impact on their daily work. Visit the CPRS Website at www.cprs. org/education/conference to see all the education programming opportunities for you.

Networking CONNECTIONS

The second highest reason for attending conference is to network with peers. Providing networking opportunities has always been a core component of CONNECTIONS Conference. The special events planned

Industry CONNECTIONS

There is always more in the Expo Hall than just seeing the newest playground equipment or what’s new in park planning. Industry experts from all facets of parks and recreation are in the hall to find solutions to the issues that you are facing back at your agencies. Also in the Expo Hall, are the 2022 CPRS Awards Program winners in the Best of the Best area. For more information about the activities in the Expo Hall, see pages 14-19.

this year give attendees the chance to unwind a bit after a day of education to meet new people or reconnect with old friends. See page 12-13 to plan your social calendar at conference.

Tuesday Opening General Session

Building Skyscraper Relationships

Charles Clark

9:00am - 10:30am

Help us kick off the conference with our highly anticipated Opening General Session! This fun and engaging opening session will include our state board installation and more exciting announcements. Then hear from Charles Clark who has pivoted from becoming one of the fastest men in the world to building an international speaking business that teaches people how to use adversity to build greater strength, success and fulfillment. In this highly engaging and energetic keynote session, you will learn how to unlock the power of relationships in your agencies and communities to drive results, improve the experiences you build and create a lasting legacy.

While the principles learned can be applied to both personal and professional relationships, you will leave this session ready to lead your team to greatness. Attendees will walk away feeling ready to set up powerful relationships, will gain a deepened understanding of the 4 levels of relationships that humans desire, and be left inspired to break down that biggest barrier in the way of creating legacy and momentum in your agency.

Wednesday General Session

Handling Challenging Conversations with a Polarized Public

Steven Dinkin, National Conflict Resolution Center

9:00 - 10:30am

It seems society is more divided than ever, and that tumult presents itself in our daily lives. As park and recreation professionals, there is often an expectation to “keep the peace”, even while dealing with difficult personalities. Sometimes, people who feel wronged are intent on venting their anger and directing it towards staff, whether or not staff had any control over the outcome.

This keynote, presented by the President of the National Conflict Resolution Center, will help you see beyond the complaint to the underlying need of the person, recognize the importance of solving problems with members of the public and show how to respectfully respond to the emotions of others to achieve better outcomes.

CPRS Awards Program Winners Announced!

Thursday Closing Keynote

Living B@ldly

Michelle Faraco

11:30am - 12:30pm

This talk will leave you wanting to take action in becoming and showing up as your most authentic self, leaving you with actionable tools to put into practice in order to accept yourselves and show up in the world as your MOST authentic self.

Michelle Faraco’s inspiring and powerful personal story of how her entire life changed when she accepted herself will show you how showing up as your TRUE self is the answer to tap into your full potential. In this vulnerable, fun, and energizing session, you’ll learn about how to challenge society’s standards, the importance of developing empathy and embracing diversity and how to shine through your own authenticity.