remembering our traditions

Remembering our Traditions

Maryland Recreation and Parks Association April, 2014

Tom O’Rourke. Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission, Charleston SC, torourke@ccprc.com

Tom’s Checklist

• What is it that we really do? As we move from Traditions to New Beginnings… • Who are we serving? • What do they want? • How are we going to provide this into the

future?

Traditions

• A Tradition is a belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past.

Maryland Recreation and Parks Association

• Crabs at the Summer General Membership Meeting at Conquest Beach in Queen Anne’s County

• Passing around the bottle of Wild Turkey at the PARC Branch annual meeting as a symbol of solidarity

• The pre-conference golf tournament at Eagle's Landing in Ocean City

• Looking forward to receiving the MRPA Directory • The Board & Council Winter meeting gift exchange • Great socials at the conference - (where you really got to know

your fellow members.) • Late night meals at Kirby's after a night at The Green Turtle in

Ocean City • The Pink Cowboy hat !

From Traditions…

Holding on to: A.Professionalism B.Strong Committed Membership C.Keep the Association Vibrant D.Volunteerism – An involved membership

The transition into NEW BEGINNINGS, .

In the past, the older members were told, “YOU ARE GOING TO OCEAN CITY FOR A WEEK FOR A CONFERENCE !” Their hotel, registration, and food was all covered by their agency. After a few years, they were “hooked”; they realized the importance of a professional organization and being actively involved. And this was done through the great traditions! How can we capture this generation, the same way, under vastly different circumstances?

How can we capture this generation, the same way, under vastly different circumstances?

Traditions New Beginnings

Before we discuss “vastly different circumstances” What is EXACTLY the Same ?

Tom’s Checklist

• What is it that we really do? As we move from Traditions to New Beginnings… • Who are we serving? • What do they want? • How are we going to provide this into the

future?

Who are we serving?

New Beginnings - People

• More People

1915 – 100 Million People 1967 - 200 Million People – (52 Years Later) 2006 - 300 Million People - ( 39 Years Later) Today – 317,831, 640 – one every 8, one death every 12

New Beginnings - People

• Living Longer – Median Age – (As many above as below)

– 1967 – 29.5 – 2006 – 36.2

New Beginnings - People

• Wanting to do more. To be more active

Life Expectancy – 1900 = 47 Life Expectancy – 2000 = 77

Personal Traits of these People

Don’t Generalize or Stereotype

Tom’s Checklist

• What is it that we really do? As we move from Traditions to New Beginnings… • Who are we serving? • What do they want? • How are we going to provide this into the

future?

What do they want?

• First, what are your providing?

Revenue vs. Expenses

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

PassiveParks Youth

Programs AdultPrograms Youth

Athletics AdultAthletics Senior

Programs SpecialEvents Arts

Programs AquaticPrograms Camps

Front Row = Actual Expenses- $1,000,000

Back Row = Fees Collected - $ 246,300

What do they want?

Ways to find out?

• Big Comprehensive Master Plan • Your own survey • Constant questioners and opportunity for

feedback • Trial and error • Ask – Groups or Individuals

Tom’s Checklist

• What is it that we really do? As we move from Traditions to New Beginnings… • Who are we serving? • What do they want? • How are we going to provide this into the

future?

Future of Service Providing

It wont just be us…get over it, but get control.

Who will provide in the Future? • Us • Non-Profits • Commercial Enterprise

We can’t do it all.

You and your agency should provide the WHAT, you can then partner with outside vendors and commercial contractors to provide the HOW. They hire the staff, they purchase the equipment You set the standard and monitor for excellence.

It will be YOUR PROGRAM!!!

Staffing

• There are alternatives to just hiring new people.

• Employee Costs go up each year. • Minimum Wage probably will be 10.10/hr. • You have to be creative with present staff.

Tom’s top 10 things that YOU need to do to prepare for the “New

Beginnings” of tomorrow.

YOU!

• You need to challenge • You need to be smarter • You need to summon your courage • You need to know WHO you are. • You need to know how to facilitate and

respond to the public – before they ask.

YOU!

• You will need to know how to plan for less funding

• You need to partner and collaborate with others to do YOUR programming.

• You need to rely less on the federal and state. All politics will be local.

• You need to assist in moving your State Association forward.

• You need to dedicate time for you own, personal professional development.

Tom’s Checklist

• What is it that we really do? As we move from Traditions to New Beginnings… • Who are we serving? • What do they want? • How are we going to provide this into the

future?

Thank You

torourke@ccprc.com www.ccprc.com/orourke