nrps newsletter november 2011
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NRPS Newsletter November 2011TRANSCRIPT
NRPS Newsletter November 2011
The Nevada Recreation and Park Society (NRPS) got its roots in the
year 1955. A small group of dedicated individuals from agencies
throughout Nevada met in Reno to establish the state's first
organization dedicated to the advancement of the recreation, parks,
and leisure professions. Though spirited and earnest, this early effort
was short-lived, ceasing to function in three years' time. After several
years of discussion and organizational meetings, NRPS was
reactivated by a group of seventeen professionals who met in Las
Vegas in 1963. NRPS gained affiliation with the National Recreation
and Park Association (NRPA) in 1964. NRPS has been actively
supporting the development of the recreation, parks, and leisure
professions from that year forward. The Society filed articles of
incorporation with the State of Nevada in March 1974.
NRPS is divided into north and south districts. The NRPS Executive
Board is elected by the Society's membership. The Society annually
awards academic scholarships, program and facility excellence awards,
and recognizes in-state distinguished professionals with various
awards, the most coveted of which is the "Dundee Award“.
Throughout its history, NRPS has consistently contributed regionally
and nationally distinguished leadership to a multitude of professional
organizations. The cities of Reno and Las Vegas have both hosted the
NRPA National Congress and NRPS has committed to annually offer a Certified Playground Inspector Course.
Hello Everyone: Welcome to the latest edition of the NRPS newsletter. I hope you have a chance to look over this newsletter and see all the wonderful parks and recreation events and opportunities taking place in Nevada over the next couple of months. Last week, I attended the National Parks and Recreation Association’s Nation Congress in Atlanta ,Georgia. It was great to see and hear all the wonderful things that NRPA is doing to develop national initiatives on conserving park land and developing healthy communities. It is truly great work. The keynote speaker was skateboarder, Tony Hawk. After his speech, he was able to tweet to 3 million of his followers letting them know that he was speaking at NRPA. We will have an opportunity to participate in the NRPA Congress when the Congress comes to Las Vegas in 2015. I am sure it will be a very busy and exciting time for us with NRPS. Another NRPS milestone is right around the corner - we will be launching our magazine. Look for the first issue to be out sometime after the first of the year. If you would like to contribute, please submit your articles and photos to Shelly Gulotta by November 30th. I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you at the next NRPS Social. Thanks, Dirk Richwine, President Nevada Parks and Recreation Society
President-Dirk Richwine, CPRP
Past Pres.-Sven Leff, CPRP Pres. Elect-Jayne
Mazurkiewicz, CPRP Vice Pres. North-Al Rogers Vice Pres. South-Daniel
McLean Secretary-Sarah Johnson Treasurer-Brady Dehn Members At Large North-
Pandora Bahlman Jennifer Budge Joel Dunn Danny Gleich
Members At Large South-
Nate Jaramillo Nick McLemore Jeannette Palmer Felicia Rivera-Baker
PSP North-Johnathan
Skinner PSC North-Linda Fearnley PSP South-Shelly Gulotta PSC South-Dundee Jones
The NRPS Aquatic Committee is made up of aquatic professionals throughout the southern Nevada area.
Members meet the 2nd Wednesday every other month to discuss aquatic trends, programming, staffing, operations and hot topics.
In addition, the committee organizes several events throughout the year; Health & Safety Expo, Southern Nevada Lifeguard Games and a Recreational Swim Meet.
Please visit our contact page on NRPS.org if you would like to contact our board members to receive additional information on any of our events, attending a meeting or becoming a member.
Board Members 2011
Jessica Laguna, Past Chair Brady Dehn, Chair Trevor Snow, Vice Chair Ericka Taggart, Secretary Dave Castle, Treasurer
As most people are making plans for the holiday season, NRPS members are focused on next April. Yes, it is never too soon to start work on another successful state conference. If you haven't already, check out NRPS website. You'll notice that we are currently looking for presenters, exhibitors, and participants for the Certified Playground Safety Institute.
The Education Session committee is finalizing its choice for a keynote speaker and will be announcing who that is in the coming weeks. If you have ever thought of being a presenter, this conference is an excellent opportunity. This year's theme is "Raise Your Sail". Those attending a session will learn new ideas and concepts that will help them expand their knowledge base. Professional growth is also there for those that prepare and present a message. The deadline for speaker's applications is Thursday, December 15, 2011.
We couldn't have a successful conference without the participation of exhibitors. The committee members are reaching out to past vendors as well as new ones. Information about our one day exhibit hall is on the application posted on the website (www.NRPS.org). Registration is on a first come first serve basis. Don't wait until the last minute to register. You risk losing an opportunity to show parks and recreation professionals your product or service.
Certification in inspecting playgrounds will be offered again at conference. The course will be held April 18-19 with the exam on the 20th. This type of certification program raises the level of professionalism for our field of work. Please contact Felicia Rivera-Baker, Committee Chair, if you have any questions.
Now that you have a glimpse of what the conference will offer, please check out the website for more information, which will continue to be updated. If you have a desire to help with planning or working at the conference, contact me about how to join one of the committees.
Have a enjoyable and safe holiday season.
Jayne Mazurkiewicz, CPRP
President Elect and 2012 Conference Chair
The 2012 NRPS conference is on the horizon. We encourage all members and local professionals to join us at the conference and even assist in the planning process. If you would like to assist with a committee, please email
[email protected] or [email protected].
Conference Committees & Chairs:
*Speakers/Education- Dirk Richwine & Jessica Laguna *Playground Safety Institute-Felicia Rivera-Baker *Exhibitors-Shelly Gulotta & Doug Guild *Fundraising- Sarah Johnson *Registration-Jeannette Palmer *Socials/Food-Nate Jaramillo *Technology/Logistics-Nick McLemore
The Nevada Recreation and Park Society (NRPS) will be recognizing excellence in recreation programs and parks facilities at the 2012 NRPS Conference. The categories for recognition include:
•Children •Teen •Senior •Staff Development •Health/Fitness •Outdoor •Sports •Inclusive •New Recreational Concept •Co-Partnership •Special Event
The Elmer H. Anderson Park Excellence Awards, named after one of the founding members of NRPS, also will be honored to recognize park planning and design. Categories include:
•City/Community Park •Neighborhood and/or Mini Park •Special Feature •Commercial Projects •Park and Facility Renovation •Trails/Nature Areas
Applications for submissions will be available in December! So start thinking about your agency’s latest and greatest recreation program and/or park and take this opportunity to be recognized for the outstanding, creative community services you provide! For additional information access the NRPS website www.nrps.org after December 5th.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CEU opportunities Educational sessions and
exhibits at state conference On-line training (through
NRPA) Presentations at luncheons Annual Conference
Materials and Presentations - Online
STATEWIDE INFORMATION Job postings Event calendar Email notifications/updates NETWORKING AND
MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES
Membership Directory Resource Committees Luncheons Committee Work Links to agencies Facility tours Socials
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS
DISCOUNTED RATES State conference Training
RECOGNITION Scholarships Awards
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Committees Executive Board Pacific Southwest
Regional Citizen members
155 members
to date
12/3/11
• CPRP Prep Course
• Black Mountain Recreation Center
• 10:00am-12:00pm
Coming Soon!
• Kick off NRPS Action Advocacy Network
• Look for details in the next newsletter!
12/29/11
• The After Christmas Before New Year’s Party
1/19/12
• Happy New YOU!
• Location TBA
• 11:30am-1:00pm
Career Opportunity
City of Reno Hosts Inaugural Wounded Soldier Sports Camp
The City of Reno Parks, Recreation and Community Services department, with the generous support of the Nevada Military Support Alliance and local adaptive sports programs, hosted a Military Sports Camp for disabled veterans and injured service members September 14 through 18. The camp was a multiday event with activities such as whitewater rafting, scuba diving, rock climbing, wheelchair rugby, adaptive cycling, and more. Various area facilities such as the Reno Whitewater Park, Sparks Marina, and the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center hosted the activity programs. Participants came from northern and southern Nevada, Seattle, WA and all branches of service were represented. Events such as this take place at sites throughout the United States offering disabled veterans and injured service members the opportunity to integrate as participants and mentors in their local communities. This is the first event of its kind in the Truckee Meadows. The City of Reno Parks, Recreation and Community Services department, with support from sponsors, provided transportation, lodging, adaptive equipment, meals, and individualized instruction in Adaptive/Paralympic sports at no cost to the participants.
City of Reno in Action!
What is your earliest memory of Parks & Recreation?
We lived in Ohio and I still remember the large trees,
green grass, blue sky and the picnics.
What motivates you to stay in the Parks & Recreation
field?
I enjoy the people I work with, I get to work both indoors
and outdoors, and it gives me great satisfaction to see
people playing at the parks and sports complexes.
What was your first concert?
John Mellencamp in Reno in 1985.
What is something you can’t live without?
Plain M & M’s.
Doug Guild, Parks Superintendent
City of Henderson
What is your earliest memory of Parks & Recreation?
The Tennis Program at Wingfield Park in downtown
Reno. My brother and I were 5&6 years old and we
would walk a couple of miles to our lessons. We even
got lost once!
Name three people you would like to have dinner with
and where?
My son & daughter-in-law, family and friends anytime,
anywhere!! I don't have any idols...except maybe God!
What is one thing that makes you smile?
My dog’s (Snowgirl’s) face when she's waiting to go for
a walk!!
What is something you can't live without? Family, Outdoor Activities & Good Books!
Pandora Bahlman, Manager ,Fitness,
Health & Wellness Incline Village
Grant Opportunities
Responsible Sports Community Grants Program, Deadline: Nov 30. $2,500 & $5K for responsible sports programs. Info & app: http://www.responsiblesports.com/community_grants/default.aspx
SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, Deadline: Dec 1. $5K to $25K to support wildlife research & habitat protection & education projects. Info & app: http://www.swbg-conservationfund.org/grantInfoA.htm
Grant Opportunities
National Forest Foundation 2012 Matching Awards Program, Deadline: Jan 17, 2012. Approx $30K for direct on-the-ground & citizen-based projects for national forests and grasslands. Info & app: http://nationalforests.org/conserve/grantprograms/ontheground/map
National Alliance for Accessible Golf for Individuals With Disabilities, Deadline: Rolling. Up to $20K to provide golf programs for individuals with disabilities. Info & app: http://www.accessgolf.org/grants/alliance_grants.cfm
Grant Opportunities
Advocacy is a process of
strengthening public and political
understanding and commitment to
public parks and recreation.
Advocacy involves finding ways to
tell stories about parks and
recreation and how it benefits our
communities.
In Nevada we have seen a decline
in support for parks and
recreation at all levels.
Serious Leisure Contributes to Successful Aging
What does serious leisure have to do with advocacy?
Everything! The more we know about how leisure and recreation impacts individuals, the better able we are to talk to decision makers. The following piece is from Dan McLean’s introductory text book titled Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society (9th Ed). Serious leisure is a concept first proposed by sociologist Robert Stebbens in 1982, contending, “serious leisure is the systematic pursuit of an amateur, hobbyist, or volunteer core activity that people find so substantial, interesting and fulfilling that … they launch themselves on a (leisure) career centered on acquiring and expressing a combination of its special skills, knowledge, and experience.” In the context of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, serious leisure fulfills multiple need and growth roles for individuals ranging from belonging to creativity. Stebbens sees serious leisure as a substitution for work for those who may have left the workforce, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, yet he says serious leisure is not a livelihood and one should not get caught up in seeing serious leisure as a substitute for work. Serious leisure carries with it “numerous pleasant expectations and memories, doing so to a degree only rarely found in work.”
As part of his description of serious leisure, Stebbens
identified 6 qualities, or descriptors, that are present. In some ways they are similar to life challenges and do not always represent positive emotions, but do represent challenges individuals must face in the pursuit of serious leisure. There are linkages to Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs at the creativity level as well as Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory. The six qualities are:
•The occasional need to persevere to overcome difficulties; •The presence of a career that involves achievement, occurring through stages of development and involvement; •A significant personal effort focusing on unique acquired knowledge, skill, or training; •Eight durable benefits including social interaction and belongingness, self-expression, self-enrichment, enhancement of self-image, feelings of accomplishment, lasting physical products, self actualization, and renewal; •A strong identity formed among participants in their chosen pursuits; and •A unique ethos formed related to the activity resulting in a special social world.
Today’s aging population, as reported earlier in this text, no longer conforms to the concept of a slow downward spiral or the notion that involvement, physical activity, and learning are not part of acceptable retirement activities. Rather, as the baby boomer population ages, this group is challenging all of the notions of what is appropriate for an aging population. Involvement, engagement, physical activity, and extended work or work-related activities are becoming the norm.
As part of this change in the approach to and views of aging, serious leisure is receiving more attention from r researchers. Linked with predictors of successful aging, serious leisure is showing promise as a way to enrich successful aging. Rowe and Kahn (1998) identified three factors crucial to successful aging: “the absence of disease and disability; maintaining mental and physical functioning; and continuing engagement with life.”Brown et al, (2008), studied seniors involved in a dance program, identifying 6 themes related to the qualities of serious leisure. They found perseverance among the participants as they learned how to dance. The perseverance was manifest among the participants in attitude and behaviors as they attempted to master basic and advanced dancing steps. Secondly, the notion of a leisure career included achievement or involvement among the participants. For those so engaged, “the concept of a leisure career reflects the successful aging components of learning, involvement, and keeping active.” The third quality and theme involved considerable personal effort to acquire specific knowledge of the leisure activity. The characteristic of a unique ethos reflects directly upon the development of new and specialized social worlds resulting in a strong social network, both of which are recognized components of successful aging. The benefits of involvement in serious leisure as they relate to this study involved self-actualization, self-enrichment, self-expression, feelings of accomplishment, enhancement of self-image, regeneration of self, self-gratification, lasting physical products, and social interaction and belongingness. The benefits of involvement may have the most long-lasting impact upon the participants and successful aging. Identity formulation, another quality, comes from the other 5 characteristics and found the participants formed a strong identity with their pursuits. The graphic below illustrates the themes of successful aging and serious leisure related qualities. More importantly, it suggests the power of serious leisure as a contributor to successful aging.
Please send submissions for the NRPS monthly newsletter to
[email protected] We want to hear from you!
The NRPS Board is happy to announce the NRPS magazine will resume in January 2012! We understand the importance of communication and are responding to our members request to provide informative tools about the parks and recreation profession. We know this magazine will meet that need. The magazine will be issued twice a year, which is in addition to the NRPS newsletter that is sent out monthly. If you would like to submit an article, please email it to [email protected] by November 30, 2011. If you have pictures, please have them in jpg format. Your article should be proofread and ready for print. If you have any questions, email them to [email protected] with the subject matter NRPS Magazine.