2015 VRPS - ARG Virtual Lifeguard Games

VRPS/DCR Webinar Series #2: Ecotourism and Outdoor Recreation

VRPS Membership affords you many benefits, including the following:

Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation:  Ecotourism and Outdoor Recreation Webinar Series

Part 1:  Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 11-11:45am:
Introduction & Trails - Janit Llewellyn Allen and Jennifer Wampler

Part 2:  Wednesday, June 17, 2015, 11-11:45am:
Scenic/Water Trails & Conclusion - Janit Llewellyn Allen and Lynn Crump

• This webinar series is FREE to VRPS members.  .1 CEUs are available for purchase - you must attend both webinars in their entirety to be eligible for CEUs.  Viewers will be prompted with 3 questions/webinar which must be submitted.  These answers, along with attendance reports, confirm attendance and thereby CEU eligibility.
• Attendees may view the webinar recordings if they are unavailable at the live presentation.  The same CEU requirements remain:  Answers to eligibility questions and viewing reports will be used as attendance confirmation.
• Learn more about the speakers at www.vrps.com/EducationEvents/Webinars (you must login to the VRPS website to view the information).
• Register at www.vrps.com - webinars are free, CEUs are available for purchase.

VRPS - April Update from the President

Friday, April 24, 2015

On behalf of the entire VRPS board, I am writing to thank you for your continued support and to share with you some of the activities of the first quarter of this year.

I have been your President for nearly four months now and have learned a tremendous amount regarding how members view VRPS, the great traditions and services we must maintain, some areas needing improvement, as well as the aspirations for VRPS’ future and the future of our profession. 

Based on this, professional experiences and my 16 years as a fellow VRPS member, I want to share with you some of the board’s initiatives for the upcoming months.

A couple of weeks ago, your Board of Directors came together for a day-long retreat. Here, we explored the best practices of non-profit boards and gained a great deal of insight into where we exceed standards, as well as identified some opportunities for improvement. Listed below are two of the areas where we will focus our efforts in the upcoming months:

1. Create greater transparency though increased communication

·         Board meeting packets available online, in addition to board meeting minutes

·         Communication from the President to the members following each board meeting

·         Annual budget available online

2. Build a strategic plan 

·         Engage members in the collection of feedback and input at multiple stages

·         Identify five strategic initiatives for VRPS in the plan

·         Establish a timeline to allow for sharing draft plan at VRPS Annual Business Meeting

Last month, you received the VRPS magazine and next month the President’s Newsletter will arrive in your inbox. Along with these electronic bulletins, which are full of great member initiatives and exciting VRPS information, your weekly E-update gives you a plethora of great up-to-date news. Please take the time to check out these resources. As members, these are our primary vehicles for sharing information with you.

Also, I feel it important to express the Board’s full support for our VRPS central office staff. Small, yet mighty may be the best way to describe the three-person staff who support our 1,100 members and the programs and events in which we are engaged. Jim Stutts, Executive Director, has been VRPS’ rock solid asset for over three decades, leading us fearlessly through innumerable challenges including the Board and Society restructuring, important legislative initiatives, and countless conference and workshop negotiations. The compliment of Nancy Turnage, Membership Director, and Lori Haislip, Administrative Assistant, brings a positive customer service experience and great organizational efficiencies to the office. This team serves us, the members each and every day, and I thank them for all that they do.

The diversity of our membership and the opportunities we share are the heart and soul of our organization!  From Senior Games to the theme park ticket sales program, from service area and resource group workshops to the statewide legislative platform, VRPS continues to be the foundation for our profession here in Virginia.

On behalf of the board, we look forward to keeping you up to date on these initiatives. Please don’t hesitate to provide your input on these areas or any other activities and services of VRPS. I invite you to come to a Board meeting or attend a service area meeting.

It is my distinct honor to serve you as your President. Please know how much the entire board and I value your continued support and commitment to VRPS.

Sincerely,

Marcy G. Durrer, MS CPRP

2015 VRPS Board President

Recreation Program Director

Hanover County Parks & Recreation

13017 Taylor Complex Lane

Ashland, VA 23005

804-365-4697

mgdurrer@hanovercounty.gov

2015 VRPS Board of Directors

Margaret Thorne, Vice President

LaTanya Turner, Treasurer

Rita Miller, Lay Member

Michael Kalvort, CPRE

Katey Legg, CPRP

Aaron Reidmiller, CPRP

Blythe Russian

Bill Sgrinia

Kim Turner, CTRS

Jim Stutts, CAE, CPRP, Executive Director