A Blog About a Blog

by Nancy Turnage

Member Services Coordinator

Virginia Recreation and Park Society

In my position at VRPS Central Office, I love watching the evolution of service areas and resource groups from year-to-year, and in particular, their stellar efforts at growth.  It seems that in July, when we're putting together resource group and service area ballots for the following year (yes, it starts in July), that we were just starting to get a groove going with the current year boards.

However, I am seeing greater transition between the two teams - the current and oncoming ones.  There is less "starting over" and more "picking up where we left off".

For example, Senior Resource Group is holding call-in meetings, formulating a theme-driven effort for the year, and blogging.  Aquatics Resource Group is hosting GoTo meetings, employing creative methods to expand their reach, and qualifying themselves to be a go-to resource in Virginia for aquatics training.  And, several of the event committees are charting new territory as well, into the world of webinars and Google docs and apps and WebEx.

Recently, under the guidance of Chair Heather Grubb (Special Events Coordinator, Henrico County Recreation and Parks), the Central Service Area has initiated its own blog.

So, in a sense, this is a blog about a blog.  Central Service Area is employing some newer "talent" (i.e. what some of us would consider professionals on the more youthful side) to reach a wider audience and highlight their objectives.

2017 is off to a great start!

What Does LTI Stand For?

by Kat Fish
Aquatics Specialist II
Splashdown Waterpark

Prince William County Parks and Recreation
VRPS 2018 LTI Co-Chair

LTI stands for the Leadership Training Institute, VRPS’s premier retreat style institute held at the Wintergreen Resort. The institute is exclusive as it only accommodates 60 participants in its weekend full of leadership development, educational sessions, team building, and networking. The LTI Committee hit the ground running in January planning the 2018 institute. The Institute has developed an excellent reputation in our Society because of its original educational programming and our ability to continue to adapt and change the program to remain relevant and current. The institute will be held April 15-17, 2018 and the registrations will go live in March 2017. It is never too early to start discussing your 2018 training plan your supervisor. You do not want to miss out on this exclusive opportunity.

2018 LTI Committee:

Kristen Hamill, CPRP

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism

khamill@nnva.gov

Matt Spruill, CPRP

Colonial Heights Recreation & Parks

spruillm@colonialheightsva.gov

Amy Woodson, CPRP

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

awoodson@vbgov.com

Kat Fish

Prince William County Parks & Recreation 

kfish@pwcgov.org

Cindy Roeder

Herndon Parks & Recreation

cindy.roeder@herndon-va.gov

Claire Richardson

Staunton Parks & Recreation

richardsonca@ci.staunton.va.us

James Mickle

Norfolk Parks, Recreation & Open Space

james.mickle@norfolk.gov

Kelley Herbert

James City Co. Parks & Recreation

kelley.herbert@jamescitycountyva.gov

Terry Caldwell, CPRP, AFO

Christiansburg Aquatic Center

tlcaldwell@christiansburg.org

A Perspective from the Awards Committee

by Mark Furlo, CPRP

Director, Portsmouth Parks, Recreation, & Leisure Services

VRPS 2016 Awards Committee
Immediate Past Chair, VRPS Eastern Service Area

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Awards and Citations Committee. Awards and Citations is a Committee of the VRPS Board of Directors. The work of the committee culminates at the Awards Banquet at the Annual Conference where we showcase our best and brightest!  This year marks the third year I have had the honor of serving. I first served in 2007, again in 2014, and now 2016. The Chair or Co-Chairs are appointed by the President of the Board every year. The rest of the Committee is comprised of one representative from each of the Service Areas and Resource Groups. The Service Areas and Resource Group are allowed to determine the manner in which they select their representative. In the Eastern Service Area, the area of my representation, the Immediate Past Chairs represents the Service Area on the Committee. Over the past ten years, I have seen a lot of change in how the Committee operates to make the process easier.

My first year on the Committee in 2007, agencies were required to mail multiple paper copies of their applications, descriptions, CDs with photos, and promotional items to the VRPS central office. From there, the VRPS staff had to split all the materials into large boxes and distributed throughout the state to each committee member to review. Now all committee members are emailed one excel spreadsheet that contain the descriptions and links to the PDFs for supporting documentation. Saving time and resources.

While some things changed, many remain constant, the most important thing that remains constant? The NOMINEES, the wonderfully creative, and innovative programs, facilities, and promotional efforts, and the dedicated volunteers, and professionals that show the excellent work they are doing. My favorite part of serving on the Committee is reading through all of the inspiring submissions. Another constant is the tremendous volume of materials that has to be reviewed by the Committee. About 100 applications were submitted for awards this year. It takes a very dedicated group of people to read through the applications for awards. Every Committee member that I have served with has taken this responsibility very seriously. Members understand the time and effort that each Department puts into the preparation of these awards.

The Committee gathers at the VRPS central office before the annual conference every year. They examine each category and discuss the merits of each application. Winners are selected by a majority vote of the committee and in cases of ties the Chair casts the tie breaking vote. Sometimes there is a clear choice for an award, but more often tough decisions have to be made regarding winners. At times, the committee chooses not to give an award in a category even if there were submissions. If in the opinion of the Committee, the application does not demonstrate significant elements of the criteria an award will not be given.

As someone who has been a part of an agency that has won VRPS Awards and someone that has served on the selection committee, I offer the following advice when submitting for awards:

• Carefully put together a team to work on the applications at minimum the team should include:
• Someone that is familiar with the subject being submitted
• Someone that can tell a story and writes well (not good)
• Someone that can proofread for grammar
• Someone that manages time well and can keep people on task
• Make sure the individual, program, or facility meet all of the eligibility requirements
• Show how the individual, program, or facility demonstrated the selection criteria
• Tell a story in your narrative that will help it stand out among the others

Remember the judges are your peers, we are people, and we sometimes make mistakes. We do our best to evaluate the submissions based on the criteria, but the evaluation is the opinion of the judges. If your program doesn’t win a VRPS award it does not take away from the merit of your project or the  individual you submitted, nor does it take away the love and appreciation your community has for your recreation center, pool, trail, staff persons, or volunteer. Good luck and I look forward to reading about new programs and recreation centers, should I be given the opportunity to serve again.