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 VRPS Highlights Recent Training Highlights
Training Opportunities
2016 Senior Resource Group Conference, October 7
Aquatics Resource Group
2016 VRPS Annual Conference
VRPS Management Conference
NSA Update
Quit Now Virginia
November 5-8 page 6
NSA Workshop, October 26 NSA Fall Workshop, November 18
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September 2016
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Notes from the President Join us in beautiful Roanoke, November 5-8, 2016 for the Annual Conference “OUTSIDE UP” Explore the Possibilities
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February 26-28, 2017 page 8
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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…….
Awesome educational sessions planned, great socials.
Saturday…Great Gatsby Party N INFORMATION Sunday…Party on the Market & NNUAL CONFERENCE Monday night Awards Banquet
2016and•Grand ROANOKE, VA Finale Social
ST BEINNOVATE, COMPLETED ONLINE AT WWW.VRPS.COM MOTIVATE, COLLABORATE…MAKING
GISTRATION FEES FUN! MANAGEMENT
es: All Educational Sessions, Saturday Social, Exhibit Hall Luncheon, Sunday Social and Awards Banquet Dinner.
2017 VRPS Management Conference…Save the Date… TRATIONS VRPS MEMBER February 26-28, 2017 efore July 13, 2016) Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk VA $385
r beforeLots September 28,training 2016) of great
$410 opportunities…VRPS making it $435 ter September 29,!!!! 2016) happen
VRPS MEMBER
ASK THE BOARD
NON-MEMBER $460 $485 $510
NON-MEMBER page 1
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.
VRPS Highlights Recent Training Highlights Aquatics Resource Group
The Aquatic Resource Group was excited to host an informative workshop on September 13 at the Reston Association Headquarters. Attended by 23 aquatic professionals, Shawn DeRossa of Pennsylvania State University came down and presented The Changing World of Aquatics. We covered issues like the following:
We will continue to work to bring Aquatic professionals to Virginia, hosting workshops and seminars, and look for the Aquatic Resource Group Roundtables coming to a facility near you in the spring of 2017! There are several aquatic sessions at conference, hope to see everyone there! Sandy Kellogg, AqP Chair, ARG, VRPS
n Do you allow your staff to have cell phones at work? n How to best train, mentor and motivate younger staff. n Maintaining a positive customer perception: “Image Is Everything!� n What to expect if you are ever deposed. n Staff Romances: Hot or Not? (and the answer is NOT!)
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Training Opportunities Register now, before these opportunities pass you by! 2016 SENIOR RESOURCE GROUP CONFERENCE
SA VE THE
BUILDING BLOCKS
FOR
ACTIVE
OLDER
ADULTS
NETWORK
SHARE IDEAS
FUN
DATE
Building Blocks for Active Older Adults Friday, October 7, 2016
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Bow Creek Community Recreation Center, 3427 Clubhouse Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Early member registration $45 Early non-member registration $55 Early student $20 CEU’s $10 Early Registration opens July 15, 2016. *Regular Registration opens August 16, 2016. *Late Registration begins September 17, 2016. *Rate increases. Scholarships available. Lunch included! www.vrps.com page
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Training Opportunities NSA Workshop
Training to Evaluate: Improve your evaluation skills
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 1p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Stacy C. Sherwood Center, Fairfax, VA Part I– Outcome Evaluation: Using Logic Models in Youth & Adult Programs Do you know if your programs are really making a difference? Take a practical approach to measuring program outcomes, including an introduction to the logic model framework and review of development areas. Speaker– Lesley Stuler, Workforce Development & Strategic Planning Director, Arlington County Department of Parks & Recreation
Part II– Evaluation from the Customer’s Perspective Post-recession, an emphasis on cost recovery and revenue growth is the “new normal” in parks and recreation. Are you evaluating your facilities and programs sufficiently from the customer’s perspective? We’ll discuss Must Have components for every survey, analysis tips, and offer useful advice for making results of your evaluation actionable. Speaker– Nick Duray, Marketing Services Manager, Fairfax County Park Authority Early Registration
Regular Registration
Late Registration
9/20/16 -9/30-16
10/1/16– 10/24/16
10/25/16— 10/26/16
VRPS Members
$25
$35
$40
Non-Members
$35
$45
$50
CEUs (0.
$15
$15
$15
For more information on workshop fees and to register, visit VRPS.com or click here.
Hosted by the Northern Service Area page
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Training Opportunities WORKSHOP:
10 AM11:15 AM VRPS Members* $30By 10/14/16 $35By 10/31/16 $40By 11/18/16
Frying Pan Farm Park Visitors Center 2739 West Ox Road. Herndon VA, 20171
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER
*NonVRPS Members Add $5
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2016 VRPS Annual Conference Trending Education Sessions Do you need another reason to attend the 2016 VRPS Annual Conference? Explore the Possibilities with over 50 education sessions at this year’s Conference in Roanoke, Virginia. Take a look at three education sessions that focus on trending hot topics in the Parks and Recreation field!
Transgender Issues in Recreation and Parks Gender identity issues are an emerging and significant area throughout the U.S., including in the legal and practical administration of parks and recreation departments. The purposes of this workshop is to educate participants on the vocabulary and issues raised by gender identity, and to facilitate a discussion as to how departments might resolve those issues. Speaker: Dr. Benjamin H. Carr, Jr., Associate Professor, Graduate Director, James Madison University Date: November 6, 2016 Session Time: 1:30 - 2:45 p.m. Location: Shenandoah Room
The Current Landscape of Marijuana in 2016 Marijuana has now been legalized in 4 states and the District of Columbia. It is of utmost importance that other states have the most up today information and data around the impact of this substance. This presentation will explain a brief history of marijuana in legalized states as well as the most up today current impact on communities in these states and how that will impact Virginia. Speaker: Nancy Hans, Executive Director, Prevention Council of Roanoke County Date: November 7, 2016 Time: 8:30 - 9:45 a.m. Location: Crystal Ballroom E
Trends in Parks and Recreation...What’s Hot and What’s Not A challenge for any Parks and Recreation Professional is to stay on top of the latest trends in programming. Once members of the community get word of a program or activity that they think is interesting, they will often look to your agency to see whether or not is is provided. Speaker: Art Thatcher, CRPR, MPA. Project Manager, GreenPlay LLC Date: November 7, 2016 Time: 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. Location: Shenandoah Room
Virginia Recreation & Park Society ’s Annual Conference provides access to a field of leaders and financial decision makers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
REGISTER TODAY! page
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EXPERIENCE the Challenge! Discover an engaging new outdoor fitness course that brings families together, encourages them to become more fit, and creates an experience they will come back to time and time again.
800.438.2780 cunninghamrec.com
NSA Update
NSA held our first Footgolf Social on Friday, September 16th at Pinecrest Golf Course. NSA knows how to get things done‌and have fun! NSA is excited to be hosting 2 fall workshopsTraining to Evaluate: Improve your Evaluation Skills on Wednesday, October 26th 1:30-3:30pm at the Stacy C. Sherwood Center in Fairfax Develop, Engage, and Retain: the importance of email marketing databases on Friday, November 18th 10-11:15am at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon NSA encourages you to get involved. Our next meeting will be held on October 26th at 10am at the Stacy C. Sherwood Center in Fairfax. It is a great place to network and get involved. Learn how you can be an NSA Champion! Be sure to join NSA at the Conference for a social and brief meeting. Details to come!
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VRPS Management Conference Can Management be “Fun”? Management can be an adventure! But can it be fun? During my early years as a new manager, I made some mistakes. I have always felt confident of my own skills, abilities and work ethic. However, when I became responsible for other people, I sometimes wondered “Why in the world won’t people just act right?” Over the years I have gained a better understanding of managing people and projects. I have learned many lessons that have helped me build better teams and accomplish the goals of my agency: 1. Recognize that everyone is different. It is important to recognize that every member of your team is different. You must meet people where they are and work with them accordingly. Managers must know the strengths and weakness of their team members. Build off their strengths and turn weaknesses into opportunities to train them. 2. Set clear expectations. I don’t think that many of us are mind readers. Let your team members know what you expect from them. It isn’t fair to hold someone to a standard that they were not aware of. Once you set the expectation, follow-up on the tasks and provide feedback along the way. 3. Calm down. Sometimes the journey on this road to successful management is stressful. We are all pulled in several directions trying to accomplish more with less: less people and less funds. Regardless of how you may feel, you should never communicate to your team in a way that is negative even when you are frustrated and/ or disappointed. Good managers learn how to walk away and when to come back to deal with the issue. Conflict is inevitable. Managing conflict effectively is a skill that you have to master in order to successfully manage people. How you manage conflict will build up your team or tear it down. Do you want to learn more management tips like this? Well join me February 26-28, 2017 at the 2017 VRPS Management Conference in the beautiful city of Suffolk, Virginia. I encourage you to take advantage of the early bird rate of $170 through November 30, 2017. This conference will inspire you and provide you with the tools needed to effectively manage
your teams whether you are a veteran or a new professional. Management Conference is one of the most affordable yet comprehensive trainings I have ever attended. The committee is working diligently to bring you the best educational experience possible by providing presenters and topics that will help you become the best manager that you can be. Look for us at the annual conference in Roanoke in the exhibit hall and enter for a chance to win a free registration to the 2017 Management Conference! It’s time to get back to the basics while “Making Management Fun!” Lakita S. Watson, CPRP, is the 2017 Management Conference Co-Chair and Past President of VRPS
VIRGINIA
R E C R E AT I O
N & PA R K SOCIETY
Innovate, Motiva te
, Collaborate: M FEBRUARY 26-2 aking Managem 8 Hilton Garden ent Fun! Inn Riverfront & Su ffolk Conference Center
REGISTER TODA Y!
I N N O V AT E
MOTIVAT
E C O L L A B O Making ManagemRenAtTFEun
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