VRPS E-Update: Vol 18 No. 10 March 10, 2021

VRPS E-Update: Vol 18 No. 10

March 10, 2021

NSA Spring Workshop – Register by March 31st to Save!

Virtual Playground Maintenance Course

PROTECT CHILDREN FROM PLAYGROUND HAZARDS

Held via ZOOM, March 30, 2021

8:30 am- 4 pm

Playground Maintenance Course Webpage

Online Registration

Registration Flyer Available Here

The National Recreation and Park Association’s Playground Maintenance Course will provide an understanding of the most prevalent playground hazards and safe maintenance and repair practices. This one-day course (0.6 CEUs) will train on playground safety standards, playground owner responsibilities and will include maintenance and repair discussions on playground equipment, surfacing and site items

Why Attend?

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 240,000 children are injured each year on playgrounds.
Poor maintenance is one of the leading causes of injuries on playgrounds.

Who Should Attend?

Maintenance Staff
Recreation Staff
University Seniors

2021 V RPS Awards Application Open

Recognizing Excellence in 2020

The 2021 Awards Application, recognizing excellence in 2020, is now available:

Nominees must be VRPS members at the time of award application submission as well as the Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, October 26th, 2021
Nominations are $35 each through June 30, 2021
Nominations are $45 each July 1 – July 31, 2021.
The application deadline is July 31, 2021.
2021 VRPS Annual Conference webpage
2021 Awards Application page – YOU MUST LOGIN AS A MEMBER

For details on award categories, review the Eligibility and Selection Criteria.

REVISIONS FOR 2021:

Please embed pdf high-quality photos (300 dpi minimum).
Nominations for individual awards must include one photo of the nominee.
For all other awards, please include at least one (two preferably) with each entry. Include at least one before and one after photo in the renovation categories

Grant Opportunity for Parks and Rec Projects

The Virginia Outdoors Foundation is making $1.13 million available for grants that connect more Virginians to public open space. Grants may be used by local governments to acquire land, rights of way, lease agreements, easements, or other real estate interests that create, improve, or expand public access to parks, trails, and other outdoor resources. There is also funding available for infrastructure and planning. Visit https://www.vof.org/2021/03/01/vof-seeks-grant-proposals-for-public-open-space-projects/ for details.

VRPS members…here’s another opportunity for Virginia to showcase our excellence nationally! The NRPA Awards recognize and honor the latest advancements in the field of parks and recreation. These awards showcase the inspiring park and recreation agencies that have improved and empowered their communities through innovative practices in park design, health and wellness, conservation and social equity.

Applications for the 2021 NRPA Awards, Scholarships and Fellowships are now open!

The application period will remain open until Friday, March 26, 2021. For more information and to learn more about the process, visit the NRPA awards website.

Spring Virginia Parks & Recreation Magazine

Now Available on vrps.com

Now available on vrps.com:

To view VRPS publications, follow the links below – you must login to the website and be recognized as a VRPS member to see the archives:

2020/21 Leadership Training Institute – April 26-28, 2021

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.

PORG News – VSTMA Field Day

June 9th, 2021

Warhill Sports Complex

5800 Warhill Trail

Williamsburg, VA

Go to vstma.org for more information or to register!

Click on the flyer to view

2021 Annual Conference Delegate Registration

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION NOW LIVE

FULL registration includes:

All educational sessions

Monday Exhibit Hall Lunch

Sunday Keynote Banquet

Tuesday Business Meeting

Tuesday Awards Ceremony

All Socials

SUNDAY registration includes:

JMU Facility Tour

Education Sessions

VRPS Service Area Meetings

MONDAY registration includes:

Education sessions

VRPS Resource Group Meetings

Exhibit Hall Lunch

TUESDAY registration includes:

Education sessions

Business Meeting

Awards Ceremony

STUDENT registration includes:

All educational sessions

(Exhibit Hall, Socials and Meal Functions are not included)

Registration does NOT INCLUDE CEUs, which are available for purchase.

See the Registration Flyer

Apply for a Delegate Scholarship by 6/30

2021 VRPS Annual Conference Webpag e“

Speaker Submissions for Annual Conference 2021

The Virginia Recreation and Parks Society is seeking dynamic speakers to lead educational sessions to be presented at the 2021 VRPS Annual Conference. The Conference will be held October 24-26, 2021 at the Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg, VA. If you have a passion for sharing your knowledge, apply today.

VRPS Annual Conference participants represent a broad spectrum of professionals from college students to executive-level Administrators. Attendees come from a variety of communities and programs, so their perspectives and challenges vary greatly. This opportunity provides interested speakers the chance to share your expertise and ideas with other park and recreation professionals to benefit our profession.

Are you interested in speaking alone? Perhaps you have other colleagues whom you would prefer to join?? Session formats may include single speakers, interactive, hands-on, and panel presentations. Session types are available in one-hour or two-hour session slots (a maximum of 2 speakers for one-hour and 4 speakers for two-hour sessions).

The deadline to submit your proposal is June 15, 2021. Submission requirements can be found online by visiting www.vrps.com. If you need assistance, please contact Education Co-Chairs Tom Hoy (tom.hoy1961@icloud.com), Stacy Herbaugh (sherbaug@fcva.us), or CEU Coordinator Nicole Gray (N icole.gray@harrisonburgva.gov).