Travels with the Awards Committee

by Sandy Kellogg

Aquatic Operations Supervisor, Mount Vernon RECenter

Fairfax County Park Authority
VRPS Aquatics Resource Group 2016 Chair

VRPS 2016 Awards Co-Chair

In case you missed the premier event of the season, it’s available online!  No, not the Oscars or even the Razzies, we just finished the VRPS Awards webinar.  It is archived on the VRPS webinar page, available for immediate viewing, and if you combine it with the upcoming Dog Park webinar can actually count forCEU’s (CEU Session Approval for Workshop Attendance), much more useful than a shiny gold statue!

We have already published blogs about the awards process, the ways to submit, even the amount of work that is represented in the number of submissions.  That’s not what I want to talk about.  What I want to talk about is much more fun, and much more important for the Awards committee.

I drive a lot through the state. The Aquatics Resource Group keeps me moving to different trainings, roundtables and meetings.  The best part about serving on the Awards Committee has been recognizing some of the amazing places and events that this state has to offer.  I am very proud to work for the Fairfax County Park Authority, and the renovation at the Watermine Family Swimming Hole is amazing and HUGE, but I will never drive through Staunton without thinking about "Irish Road Bowling", go through Henrico county without thinking to myself “it’s pronounced Hen-Rye-Co”, or see public art without wishing I could get down to Danville to walk the art trail.

The awards are not just about the plaque or the picture; it truly is about the excitement, the spirit and the pride that goes into projects all around the state.  I admit I have a soft spot for the small departments, the rural locations, and the shoestring budgets that bring such amazing programs and facilities to the people of this state.  As we go into another award season, please make sure you are letting your passion show in your applications, but more importantly know that we truly are making a difference.

Click here for a link to past winner archives and the 2017 application - recognizing excellence in 2016.

Many thanks to Boomer and Waldo, both of who inspired the Awards Webinar presenters.  Which are you?  #TEAMDOG or #TEAMCAT ??