 |
VRPS E-Update: Vol 17 No 41
|
|
WELCOME
It’s Day Three of the
2020 VRPS Virtual Annual Conference!
We hope you’ve enjoyed the first two days of sessions. Thank you to our speakers, sponsors and all of you for joining us! Don’t forget that our Keynote Speaker, Kristine Stratton with NRPA starts at 10:00 am, and the Business Meeting and Awards are at 1:00 pm.
Don’t forget your Virtual Party-in-a-Box here. Thank you to Joy Johnson, JudiAnn Hawkins-Pond, Ben Fairbanks, Emily Upton, LaTanya Turner and Arlana Fauntleroy with the Special Events & Marketing Resource Group for putting together resources for us to celebrate and enjoy the Awards Presentation! Special thanks to the following “Committee” members:
Education: Michael Clark & Cindy Roeder
A/V & Logistics: Marcy Durrer, Dan Smith
Awards & Citations: Leslie Bowery
“Room” Hosts: Marcy Durrer, Dan Smith, Kat Fish,
Tabitha Martinez, Cindy Roeder
Also, “Thank You” to the Norfolk team who started the process of planning the conference and were instrumental in obtaining the speakers and sessions you’ve been enjoying.
We’ll be sending a conference survey at the conclusion of the event, as well as providing access to recordings and “handouts.” But if you have additional feedback or comments you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
“See” you at the Keynote!
Katey Legg
|
The Virtual VRPS Awards Ceremony 2020…Celebrate Safely!
We hope everyone has enjoyed the VRPS Educational Sessions so far this week. Later today, some may get together to view the Awards Presentation in a socially-distanced environment. Below is a reminder to CELEBRATE SAFELY! Good luck and CONGRATS (in advance) to all the winners. #VRPS2020 #CelebrateSafely
|
Attention, Registered Delegates
In lieu of the conference bag, this year you will be receiving a fun AND useful promotional item, courtesy of Cunningham Recreation. These gifts will be mailed out prior to conference, in one package per office, and distributed to registered delegates.
Thank you, Cunningham Recreation!!
|
Register now for the NSA Fall Workshop – 2 sessions!
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Workshop sessions held via GoTo Meeting:
Session 1: Leading During a Crisis 11:15 am – 12:30 pm
Session 2: Community Partnerships 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
You may register for either one or both of the sessions.
CEU’s available for purchase when you register.
More information on the NSA web page HERE
Register HERE after logging in.
|
|
2021 VRPS Management Conference
SPEAKERS: The Virginia Recreation and Park Society is seeking session proposals for the 2021 Management Conference, scheduled to take place in Suffolk, Virginia, February 21-23, 2021. DEADLINE FOR SESSION PROPOSALS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 5TH
The Management Conference is geared towards mid to upper-level managers in the Parks and Recreation field. Desired topics include but are not limited to: administration, customer service, human resources, leadership, marketing, partnerships, advocacy, and professional development.
Speakers under agency travel restrictions or with underlying health conditions that put them in a high risk category for COVID-19 may be permitted to present virtually. Session proposals may be submitted online at https://www.vrps.com/events/management-conference/Please indicate if you would like to be considered for a virtual presentation.
REGISTRATION is open for 2021 Management Conference.
|
2020/21 Leadership Training Institute – April 26-28, 2021
As many have quoted before, we might not be able to control the wind, but we can always adjust our sail…
Like many this year, due to various protocols and travel restrictions still in place across the state, LTI has had to adjust their sails and change direction. With the health and safety of our delegates at the forefront, LTI will be going virtual.
Although it may look a little different this time, LTI will still bring dynamic speakers, interactive sessions, and opportunities for networking.
Adding to the LTI experience this year, 5 preconference sessions are being included throughout the 6 months leading up to the Institute. Please visit the LTI webpage for more information on dates, times and topic sessions. Why choose LTI?
- Proven Career Advancement – over 90% of Directors and Upper Management personnel in Virginia Parks and Recreation Departments have graduated from LTI
- Flexible Setting -while LTI (usually) takes place at Wintergreen Resort and utilizes mountain top housing and amenities – this year, you can enjoy LTI from the comfort of your home or office
- Fun Educational Sessions – LTI prides itself in offering fun, interactive and educational games, activities and presenters centered around bringing out the leader in you (activities will still be interactive, just from afar)
- Networking Opportunities – meet other professionals from around the state to make lasting relationships, share ideas, improve your self confidence and begin forming a support group to last throughout your career
- CEU’s – Earn CEU’s to help maintain your certifications or to help get you on your way to becoming certified (the preconference sessions will give you additional opportunities to earn CEUs) which are included in the registration fee
It’s not too late to join – Register HERE
Deadline to register: April 9, 2021.
|
|
VRPS Health and Fitness Resource Group Update
The VRPS Health & Wellness Resource Group held their virtual kick-off meeting on Thursday, September 3rd. Discussion topics included enhanced cleaning practices, online music licensing, and group fitness equipment. An additional meeting to continue the discussion about online music licensing will be held on Thursday, September 10th at 1 pm.
The next regular meeting will be held October 1st at 10 am.
|
|
Special Events & Marketing Resource Group (SEMRG)
|
|
Athletic Fields Workshop – Re-Scheduled for November 6, 2020
The Athletic Fields course has been re-scheduled and will be presented VIRTUALLY on Friday, November 6th, from 8 am – 12 pm. This LIVE presentation will be brought to you by:
Dr. Mike Goatley, Jr. is Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist in the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences of Virginia Tech.
Mike will provide the basics of turf management, including detailing the strengths and weaknesses of grassing options in Virginia, how to conduct and interpret soil tests, and how to use those soil test reports in developing a fertility program for your situation.
Matt Anderson, CSFM, CSE, is currently a District Sales Manager for the Toro Company, focusing on Sports Fields and Grounds business for the western US.
Matt will discuss how mowing and cultivation inputs change as turf use and demands increase. He will touch on best mowing practices and various equipment options for mowing based on your organizations budget. Aeration will also be discussed regarding compaction relief and best aeration strategy to utilize based on your budget.
Our corporate partners, STI and TESCO, will then present an interactive presentation.
All registrants will receive a reminder email 30 days prior to the class, with the link to log into the virtual Athletic Fields presentation. A recording of this course will be sent to registered students who cannot attend on this day.
If you are not currently registered for the Athletic Fields course and would like to participate, contact www.vrps@vrps.com
|
|
COVID-19 Parks and Recreation Services Tracker
As parks and recreation professionals, many of us are making the difficult staffing impacts and decisions of what services and amenitites we can continue to provide to the public. The Park Operations Resource Group has created a central spreadsheet to track the service impacts to various communities. A link to the spreadsheet can be found on the Park Operations Resource Group webpage. The spreadsheet relies on input provided by everyone, so if you use it for information, please add yours for others to use. For questions or technical issues, please contact Alister Perkinson at 757-207-0002.
|
|
Young Professionals Community
Network Focus: The Young Professional Community (YPC) is designed to inspire and engage members of the recreation profession under the age of 35 (of course all ages are welcome to be involved) to become active members of Virginia Recreation and Parks Society, grow and maintain their professional network, share ideas along with asking questions to the group, and discover the benefits of professional development.
For more information about the YPC, please join the group on Facebook at VRPS Young Professional Community group. If you have any questions or have additional information to share, contact Roberto Ramos at rramos@vbgov.com.
|
|
Job Opportunities
- Organizations: post a job – $50 fee (free to VRPS organization members)
- Individuals: search for openings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
