From the Board President

By Chuck Stifter, MRPA President

Reconnecting: To reconnect means “to reestablish a bond.” As we put the stress associated with the pandemic behind us and look ahead it is important to reconnect with our community. It’s so good to see humanity and community reconnecting. Those who were anxious to return to their recreation lifestyle have quickly transitioned back. But there continue to be some who are not comfortable with a full return or maybe weren’t connected to our services in the past. This is where we need to reach out and build bonds. Sharing the benefits of parks and recreation with our communities is the path to a complete return. The MRPA Board recently connected for its first in-person meeting in 14 months. Many Board members were able to attend in-person, and some members attended remotely. The opportunity to choose how you attend an MRPA meeting, in-person or virtual, has been great advancement for the Board and network groups during the pandemic and has pulled our statewide membership closer together. This publication of the MRPA magazine focuses on the Annual Conference which for me is one of the great reasons to be involved in MRPA. I look forward to reconnecting with my peers –

sharing, listening learning. The Conference Committee, led by John Stutzman and Aimee Peterson, has developed a superb line-up of keynotes, education sessions, exhibits, and social offerings to enlighten us all. Please plan to gather your team of parks and recreation professionals for another great MRPA Conference. I look forward to seeing you there. In June, I was fortunate to take a fishing trip to Alaska’s Prince William Sound and to reconnect with nature My trip included 10-11 hours a day for four days straight on a fishing boat with six guys, on the water, surrounded by mountains and whales and dolphins, and an ocean full of fish, my connection to nature was as strong as ever. That’s me in the photo with a 90-pound halibut and yes, 90-pound Chuck and his 90-pound halibut halibut are tough to reel up from the depths of 200 feet. I had the aching muscles to prove it, and a memorable experience I won’t soon forget. I know you all are working hard to serve your residents but take the time for your adventure too. You’ll come back refreshed – maybe a little sore, but ready to reconnect and strengthen your bond with those you so passionately serve. Enjoy! Reconnect with you soon,

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