Thursday, December 20, 2012

52 Ways to Use Your VRPS Membership: Week 1, Alphabet Soup


Week One:  Alphabet Soup

by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

Below is a partial list of certifications/designations within the VRPS membership community.  Need some input from a Certified Forester?  How about a Landscape Architect?
  1. Login to VRPS.
  2. Go to Membership Directory.
  3. Enter the certification in the "Designation" field
  4. Enjoy the results.

Don't forget to update your own record for yourself and your colleagues.

Stay Strong, Relevant, and Engaged.


  • ADC (Activity Director, Certified)
  • AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
  • AFO (Aquatic Facility Operator)
  • APRP (Associate Park and Recreation Professional)
  • ARC (American Red Cross)
  • Boater Safety
  • CAA
  • CAE (Certified Association Executive)
  • CCM
  • CPO (Certified Pool and Spa Operator)
  • CTCB (Certified Tennis Court Builder)
  • CTP
  • CVENT (Event Management, Web Surveys, & Email Marketing)
  • CYSA (Capitol Youth Soccer Association)
  • Certified Forester
  • E&A
  • Ed. D (Doctorate of Education)
  • Ed. M (Masters of Education)
  • Ellis (Swimming Instruction)
  • FIT
  • FMP (Facility Management Professional)
  • FSM (FIFA Soccer Manager)
  • First Responder
  • IT
  • ILTP Instructor (International Leadership Training Program)
  • LA (Landscape Architecture)
  • LGI (Lifeguard Instructor)
  • LGTI (Local Government Training Institute)
  • MA
  • MBA (Masters of Business Administration)
  • MES
  • MPA (Masters of Public Administration)
  • MS
  • NSCA-CPT (National Strength and Conditioning Association - Certified Personal Trainer)
  • Network Administrator
  • Ph. D (Doctor of Philosophy)
  • RAA
  • RLA
  • RYT (Registered Yoga Therapist)
  • Virginia Landscape Architect
  • WSIT (Water Safety Instructor Training)

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Leadership Orientation: Social Media

By Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

Did you know ...

  • Social networking now accounts for 22% of all time spent online in the US.
  • A total of 234 million people age 13 and older in the U.S. used mobile devices in December 2009.
  • Twitter processed more than one billion tweets in December 2009 and averages almost 40 million tweets per day.
  • The number of social media users age 65 and older grew 100 percent throughout 2010, so that one in four people in that age group are now part of a social networking site.
  • As of May 2012 Facebook has 901 million users.  In June 2011, it was reported that iPhone applications hit one billion in nine months, and Facebook added 100 million users in less than nine months.
  • If Facebook were a country it would be the world's third largest in terms of population, larger even than the US.
  • In June 2011, it was also reported that U.S. Department of Education study revealed that online students out-performed those receiving face-to-face instruction.
  • YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world.
  • One in six higher education students are enrolled in an online curriculum.

What is Social Media?

* a group of internet-based applications that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content.  Social software mediates human communication via consumer-generated media (CGM).
    There are 6 different types of social media:
    1. Collaborative Projects (e.g. Wikipedia)
    2. Blogs and Microblogs (e.g. BloggerTwitter)
    3. Content Communities (e.g. YouTube)
    4. Social Networking Sites (e.g. Facebook)
    5. Virtual Game Worlds (e.g. World of Warcraft)
    6. Virtual Social Worlds (e.g. Second Life)

    What is the purpose of Social Media?

    Social media provides an environment where users and professionals can converse, and where professionals can promote their brand and improve their organization's image by listening and responding to what the public is saying about them.  One of the founding concepts in social media has become that you cannot completely control your message but rather you can simply begin to participate in the "conversation", expecting that you can achieve a significant influence in that conversation.

    Why is Social Media good for non-profits like VRPS?

    • It is easily accessible to everyone who has internet technology available.
    • It is free!
    • It is "social", and we humans are social animals.  We don't want to miss out.
    • It requires minimal resources to publicly publish information - in regards to both people and time.
    • Variety is the spice of life, and the availability of various platforms and mediums satisfies users with varying levels of time and preference.
    • Marketing, impressions, and "the voice" of an organization is generated by the user community, not simply the organization itself.

    All that being said, in the VRPS world, there are presently three main components in which you, the user community, may be "heard" (or "herd" if you prefer ... :)

    Website
    vrps.com is maintained by Central Office.  Some Resource Groups and Service Areas, as well as committees, are maintaining their own pages with occasional guidance from the Central Office.  We are working to evolve to a less textual, more graphical and user-friendly structure, which will be the central location for VRPS business at hand.

    Publications (magazine, newsletter, E-update, blasts)
    Society input is compiled and distributed by Central Office, with the exception of Service Area newsletters. Again, some committees manage their own email blasts.  We are working to evolve to a shorter, more concise E-Update that can be read quickly, with the option of delving deeper, via links, at the discretion of the reader.

    Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, LinkedIn, YouTube) Central Office manages the different venues. Some Service Areas and Resource Groups have established and manage their own as well. We are working to evolve to a much greater presence, with far more input of value both from and for you, our community.

    What can you do?

    1. Encourage online registration and payment.  This frees Central Office resources considerably, so that efforts can be redirected elsewhere, on your behalf.
    2. Submit E-update content with at least one week notice.  Our goal is to reduce the size of the weekly Wednesday E-update so that it contains mostly new content, is more concise, and thereby appreciated more!
    3. Identify individuals within your organization to manage your web pages, communication blasts, and social media.  We will be happy to provide guidance and/or collaborative effort as well.
    4. Like, Follow, Subscribe, Connect, and Share us!  As you have learned, social media is promoted from the ground-up.  We need your input; you are in the trenches, where the action is.  In order to promote VRPS and its membership community, we want to encourage personal networking and experiences, which you bring to the table.
    5. Blog:  we are tired of hearing ourselves!  Did someone in your organization write an interesting piece or put together a great video or collection of photos?  Send them to us and we can promote their work.
    6. Send us your feedback!  What do you want to see or learn about that we are not currently addressing?  Let us know, via our social media platforms or email.
    7. Let us in:  WE ARE BOUNCING!  Several organizations "filter" our emails and blasts when they are generated by our Association Management Software (sent from "vrps@vrps.com") or our marketing email software (sent from "vrps@vrps.ccsend.com" ).  We spend a considerable amount of time processing the "bounces" by notifying users when their confirmations fail to reach them.  Please contact your IT department to see if your ISP is filtering us!

    We appreciate your time and interest in keeping our Society strong, relevant, and engaged with its members!

    Friday, November 2, 2012

    HOWL-O-SCREAMING Parenting Advice from VRPS



    By Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

    The best cure for a mouthy teen is a zombie chasing them with a chainsaw.  If this little tip gets out to the parenting world, there will be a rush on theme parks featuring Halloween fright around the world.  Parents of surly ingrates will be rushing the gates, dragging their prodigy.

    I've lived in Central Virginia for thirteen years, and this was my first Howl-O-Scream.  I suppose the lure of the many callers inquiring at the VRPS Central Office regarding discount tickets was too much to resist.  Off I went - on the last Friday of the last weekend of October, just hours ahead of Sandy, along with my three teens and Spouse.  The cloud cover was evident, the misty rain prevalent, and the mood anticipatory.


    As we entered the first haunted house, my thoughts were simply on the spookiness of everything - fog machines, dim lighting, creepy screaming and music.  Within the first two minutes, it became apparent that the freaked reaction of my teens was far more entertaining.  They were petrified.  Middle clung to Oldest, ready to use her as a human shield to doom and terror, for the sake of self-preservation.  They raced through, wanting the misery to be over rather than relishing the performances and decor.

    And that was just the first one.  We managed to "enjoy" three more, much to the dismay of Middle and Youngest.  Oldest eventually joined into the spirit of things and for some reason became a favored victim of the bloodied clowns and zombies with power tools - something about her pink sweatshirt, bobbing ponytail, and unfortunate trusting nature....  Yes, I will admit, we MADE them go instead of letting them branch off and binge on rides - you know, all for the sake of safety (it was dark) and family time.



    A great deal of personality can be devised from one's reaction to fear:

    • How deep does the fright or flight instinct go?  In the case of my Offspring, they are pure flight, through and through.
    • Is there a concern for others?  Youngest gave me a good shove here and there, so maybe not so much.
    • What degree of self-control is exhibited (putting on a brave face and all that)?  Zero.
    I suppose the same analysis can be said for us, the parents; Spouse and I thoroughly, totally, COMPLETELY enjoyed watching them get the #$%& scared out of them.  So, in addition to the remarkably clean restrooms (yes, we visited most if not all of them), the super-helpful staff (at least the living ones), and the efficient thrill ride queue process (nothing beats the Griffon or Apollo's Chariot at night, much less the front row!), the terror is TOP-NOTCH.  Therefore, my advice is this:  next year, clear your calendar one evening and enjoy Howl-O-Scream.  Drag your wayward teens, relish in their terror, and make some family memories.



    Tuesday, October 23, 2012

    We want your feedback!

    By Cindy Roeder, VRPS President


    The VRPS Board is conducting a survey, and your response would be greatly appreciated.  There are five brief questions and the opportunity to enter a drawing for one of four $25 Amazon gift cards if you complete the survey!

    This link is uniquely tied to this survey and your email address.  We hope you can complete this survey by October 31st at noon.  Thanks for your participation!



    Wednesday, October 10, 2012

    2012 VRPS Annual Conference Keynote Speech

    Slides and Presentation by John Martin, President/CEO Southeastern Institute of Research and the Boomer Project

    Wednesday, October 3, 2012

    2012 VRPS Annual Conference Slideshow

     By Jennifer Cauldwell, City of Norfolk Recreation, Parks, and Open Space

    Friday, September 14, 2012

    VRPS 2011 Award Winners

    Photo Credit:  Jennifer Cauldwell, City of Norfolk Recreation, Parks, and Open Space

    ******************************************************
    Best New Program, 25,001-50,000
    Teen Quest Special Progam
    Louisa County


    ******************************************************
    Best New Program, 50,001-100,000
    Reston Green Living Series
    Reston Community Center


    ******************************************************
    Best New Program, Greater Than100,000
    Film Making and Multimedia, Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center
    City of Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism


    ******************************************************
    Best New Special Event, Less Than 25,000
    Ghosts of Violet Banks Past
    Colonial Heights Recreation and Parks


    ******************************************************
    Best New Special Event, 25,001-50,000
    Leesburg Air Show
    Town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Special Event, 50,001-100,000
    Roanoke Outdoor Circus
    Roanoke Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Special Event, Greater than 100,000
    Ball's Bluff 150th Reenactment
    Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority


    ******************************************************
    Best New Facility - Bricks and Mortar, Less than 25,000
    Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center
    City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Facility - Bricks and Mortar, 25,001-50,000
    Ida Lee Park Maintenance Facility
    Town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Facility - Bricks and Mortar, 50,001-100,000
    James City County Parks and Recreation
    Freedom Park Interpretive Center


    ******************************************************
    Best New Facility - Bricks and Mortar, Greater than 100,000
    Eastern Henrico Recreation Center
    County of Henrico Division of Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Facility - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails, 25,001-50,000
    Free Wheeling Way Accessible Playground
    County of Warren Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Facility - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails, 50,001-100,000
    Walrond Park Trail
    Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism


    ******************************************************
    Best New Facility - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails, Greater than 100,000
    Long Bridge Park
    Arlington County Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Renovation/Addition - Bricks and Mortar, 50,001-100,000
    Reston Community Center at Lake Anne
    Reston Community Center


    ******************************************************
    Best New Renovation/Addition - Bricks and Mortar, Greater than 100,000
    Virginia Randolf Museum
    County of Henrico Division of Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Renovation/Addition - Bricks and Mortar, Less than 25,000
    North Park Renovation
    City of Waynesboro Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Renovation/Addition - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails, 50,001-100,000
    Jamestown Beach Park Shoreline Renovation
    James City County Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Renovation/Addition - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails, Greater than 100,000
    Paradise Play - Cameron Run Regional Park
    Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority


    ******************************************************
    Best New Environmental Sustainability, 25,001-50,000
    Invasive Plant Management
    Charlottesville Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best New Environmental Sustainability, Greater than 100,000
    Growing Wetlands in the Classroom
    City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best Promotional Effort - Traditional, Less than 25,000
    Herndon Festival Sponsorship Catalog
    Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best Promotional Effort - Traditional, 25,001-50,000
    Leesburg Airshow Poster
    Town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best Promotional Effort - Traditional, 50,001-100,000
    Civil War Homes Tour Guide
    Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism


    ******************************************************
    Best Promotional Effort - Traditional, Greater than 100,000
    Annual Report 2010-2011 Wall Calendar
    Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority


    ******************************************************
    Best Promotional Effort - Specialty, Less than 25,000
    Herndon Festival Tshirt
    Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best Promotional Effort - Specialty, 25,001-50,000
    Car Magnets
    Town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Best Promotional Effort - Specialty, 50,001-100,000
    Green Ridge "5 for $25"
    Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism


    ******************************************************
    Best Promotional Effort - Specialty, Greater than 100,000
    Facility Toor Kiosk
    County of Henrico Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Distinguished Private Sector Service
    Munden Point Park Cleanup Project
    STIHL Inc.


    ******************************************************
    Distinguished Private Sector Service
    Pathways for Radford
    Pathways for Radford


    ******************************************************
    Distinguished Volunteer Award
    Fred Corbett
    County of Roanoke Parks, Recreation, and Tourism


    ******************************************************
    Distinguished Volunteer Award
    Craig McKenzie
    McLean Community Center


    ******************************************************
    Outstanding New Professional
    Lisa Walker
    Hanover County Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Outstanding New Professional
    Scott Ramsburg
    Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism


    ******************************************************
    Distinguished Service Award
    Marcy Durrer
    Hanover County Parks and Recreation


    ******************************************************
    Fellows Award
    Cindy Jo Daniel
    County of Henrico Parks and Recreation