Showing posts with label membership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label membership. Show all posts
Monday, September 26, 2016
Monday, May 16, 2016
Be A Champion!
by Todd Brown
Site Operations Manager, Resource Management Division
Fairfax County Park Authority
VRPS Northern Service Area 2016 Chair
A champion is a leader, and the Northern Service Area is seeking them. VRPS provides wonderful services that benefit us as Recreation and Park professionals. VRPS is our best resource to share ideas, benchmark progress among our neighbors, and develop profitable working relationships. The strange thing is that, to some agencies and among many folks, it remains a secret. Why? I think it is because there needs to be more participation. Once you are involved in a service group or resource group, attend a conference or workshop, and simply converse with other professionals, your eyes open to the benefits of VRPS. I can honestly say that when I got involved in the NSA, I feel my professional career began moving at a higher level.
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| Todd Brown, 2016 NSA Chair |
A Champion is a name and a face through which the NSA can communicate to every agency in the service area. The Champion is a critical part of the service area’s leadership, serving as the contact person to transfer information to his or her agency. That information can be distributed in many ways. The Champion does not have to attend every meeting or event. We realize that plates are full and want to accommodate our Champions’ schedule as much as possible. Each agency needs to be aware of and participate in all of the wonderful things that the NSA and VRPS provide towards developing us as professionals. It is a benefit to us and a responsibility of each agency.
On behalf of the Northern Service Area of VRPS, I ask for your assistance to help NSA reach its strategic goal of increasing membership and participation. If you are a VRPS member and want to be a NSA Champion, please let your agency director and the NSA know. If you are that agency director, name your next leader and NSA Champion. The goal is for every park agency in the Northern Service Area to be represented and participate. Please promote NSA participation to your workforce and be a “NSA Champion.” If you need more information, please contact Membership Committee Chair Todd Brown, Fairfax County Park Authority, at 703-324-8676 or todd.brown@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Your Member Profile
by Nancy Turnage
VRPS Central Office
Login to the VRPS website and keep your member profile up-to-date. Your profile is not only displayed in the online membership directory (unless you opt-out), but it is also used to create distribution lists for the different VRPS Service Areas (Central, Eastern, Northern, Southeastern, Western) and Resource Groups (Aquatics, Senior).
#1 Login from the VRPS homepage (upper-right corner):
#2 Select "View / Edit Your Profile" from the center block on the homepage after logging in:
#3 Select the "Edit/View Information" tab on the next screen:
#4 Scroll to the bottom of the page and indicate your Service Area/Resource Group choices:
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Thursday, May 14, 2015
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
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.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
E-Update
The VRPS E-Update is the weekly electronic newsletter that is published each week and informs members of Society business.
Looking for a summary of submitting article blocks for Eupdate? Below is what was provided in information packets for 2015 VRPS Leadership Orientation.
Looking for a summary of submitting article blocks for Eupdate? Below is what was provided in information packets for 2015 VRPS Leadership Orientation.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Lots on the Menu
Aquatic Risk Management Series (ARMS)
Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course
Rockingham Co/Harrisonburg: October 22-24, 2014
Newport News: April 1-3, 2015
Leesburg: September 23-25, 2015
Newport News: April 1-3, 2015
Leesburg: September 23-25, 2015
2014 CSA Fall Workshop
2014 VRPS Annual Conference
2014 NSA Holiday Social
VRPS/DCR Webinar Series
2015 VRPS Management Conference
Athletic Fields 501
Sunday, September 14, 2014
VRPS/DCR Webinar Series - FREE to Members!
by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office
Virginia Recreation and Park Society is pleased to announce a joint workshop effort with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. This 2-webinar series is FREE to VRPS members and focuses on the educational theme of planning. Click HERE to register.
VRPS/DCR Webinar Series
The series is targeted for the following individuals involved with recreation:
About the Speakers
- Administration/Management
- Citizens/Board members
- Natural Resource professionals
- Programmers
- Students
Dates:
- Monday, October 6, 2014, 11-11:45am: 2013 Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP)
- Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 11-11:45am: Economics of Outdoor Recreation
Session length: Two 45-minute webinars:
- VOP and conducting local assessments using this document
- Economics of outdoor recreation in Virginia
Learning outcomes
- Ways to use the 2013 Virginia Outdoors Plan
- How to use the VOP Mapper
- How to use economic data to promote and expand outdoor recreation programs & facilities
- Steps to conduct economic assessments
Monday, October 6, 2014, 11am: 2013 Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP) - 45 minutes - Topics to be Covered:
- VOP purpose and use
- Overview key outdoor recreation topics (Trails and water access, historic resources, scenic resources, environmental education)
- Overview outdoor recreation providers (Local parks and recreation, state parks , Natural Heritage Program, state fish and wildlife management, state forests, National Park Service, National forests, National wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
- Introduce VOP regional sections
- VOP Mapper
- Questions - follow-up (An online survey will provide evaluation opportunity of the session)
Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 11am: Economics of Outdoor Recreation - 45 minutes - Topics to be Covered:
- Why it is important to understand and incorporate the economics of outdoor recreation in program and facility planning
- National outdoor recreation economic statistics
- Virginia's outdoor recreation economic statistics
- Ways to use economic data to promote outdoor recreation (grant funding, direct county dollars to parks and recreation, create partnerships with tourism, promote private sector businesses, influence housing and transportation decisions)
- Steps to conduct an outdoor recreation economic assessment
- Questions - follow-up (An online survey will provide evaluation opportunity of the session)
About the Speakers
Planner for the Planning and Recreation Resources Division
Department of Conservation & Recreation
Janit is a landscape architect working for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) as the project manager for Virginia's State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) - the Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP). She is also involved in state park master planning, specializing in new parks. Janit provides technical assistance to localities, regions and non-profits for water trail coordination and recreation planning. She is currently working on a site planning 101 series and has published online articles about health and outdoor recreation and the economics of outdoor recreation. Janit is active with the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals and currently serves on the board of directors.
Janit is a swimmer and also enjoys canoeing, kayaking, hiking, camping and walking her greyhound. On the weekends, look for Janit and her family plus their retired racing greyhound in one of Virginia's state parks.
Education
- BA, Biology - Converse College
- MLA, Landscape Architecture - University of Georgia
- Virginia Natural Resource Leadership Institute
Planner for the Planning and Recreation Resources Division
Department of Conservation & Recreation
Lynn is a landscape architect whose public practice career spans planning, multi-disciplinary engineering, landscape construction and nursery work. Her work at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) includes parks and recreation, environmental permitting and development review, and local, regional and Crime prevention through environmental design planning. Lynn administers the Virginia scenic river and byway programs and is the scenic resources specialist for the Virginia Outdoors Plan. Her current responsibilities includestate park master planning where she specializes in new park development. Lynn is active with the American Society of Landscape Architects and has served the organization in local and national level leadership positions.
Lynn is an avid hiker and is quite knowledgeable about many Virginia trail destinations. She has visited all of Virginia's state parks where she enjoys nature and her love for cabin cooking.
Education
- Registered Landscape Architect
- BLA, Landscape Architecture - 1977
- MLA, Landscape Architecture - 1995
- Virginia Natural Resource Leadership Institute
Monday, September 8, 2014
VRPS Director's Forum
by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office
VRPS is preparing to convert to a new website. Part of the conversion is cleaning up the old one, including the Director's Forum subscription list. Directors who are primary contacts for their member agencies are eligible to subscribe to the forum.
The Director's Online Forum provides a venue for professionals to share ideas, experiences, and sources. A user posts a topic upon which to open conversation. Subscribers are emailed the post and have the opportunity to respond as part of a continuing thread of conversation.
A sampling of past post topics include:
VRPS Director's Forum
The Director's Online Forum provides a venue for professionals to share ideas, experiences, and sources. A user posts a topic upon which to open conversation. Subscribers are emailed the post and have the opportunity to respond as part of a continuing thread of conversation.
- Login to VRPS.
- Go to Services-->Forums
- Select "Directors Only"
- Enjoy the results.
A sampling of past post topics include:
- Non-Profit Park Foundations
- Naming Rights for Park Amenities
- Boys & Girls Clubs
- Sprayground Costs
- Contracted or Seasonal Grounds Maintenance
- Sample Contracts/Agreements
- New or Adoptive Reuse of a Building for Recreation Center and Senior Housing
- Capital Gift Giving for Community Centers
- School Use Agreements
- Facilities and Services Master Plan RFP
- 14 Passenger Mini-Bus
- Use of Facilities by Travel Teams
- HR Functions
- Outdoor Art/Sculpture Bases
- Parks & Recreation and YMCA
- Alcohol in Rental Facilities
- Event Staff
- Radio-Controlled Flying Aircraft
- Fees for Shelters and Pavilions
- Volunteer Programs in Exchange for Reduced Fees
- Community Needs Assessment
- Beehive Boxes in Parks
- Sponsorship Policies
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
IT'S FINALLY HERE
by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office
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| Photo Courtesy of Shenandoah County Parks and Recreation |
A frenzy of drool, hair, and overall frantic mayhem couldn't be more fun. As with people, there's a full range of swimming prowess, from the water-obsessed (labs) to the hydrologically challenged (bulldogs). Add cutsey names and nominal fees, and it's a jocular conclusion to swimming pool season.
- Alexandria Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities: "Annual Doggie Day Swim"
- Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities: "Soggy Doggy Swim"
- Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation: "Dog Days Dog Swim"
- Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority: "Dog Days" - three pools!
- Shenandoah County Parks and Recreation: "Annual Edinburg Doggie Paddle" (new this year - "Paint Your Own Doggie Portrait")
- Spotsylvania County Parks and Recreation: "Doggone Pool Party"
- Winchester Parks and Recreation: "All Paws on Deck"
- City of Manassas: "Dog-a-Pool-Ooza"
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| Banner Courtesy of Winchester Parks and Recreation |
Monday, July 7, 2014
2014 VRPS Members in the Community: Daniel Ronquillo
by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office
For months I've been after Recreational Therapist and VRPS Professional member Daniel Ronquillo for a blog on his work with therapy dogs, but looks like NBC 12 in Richmond, Virginia beat me to it! Congratulations Daniel (and of course Frasier and Schaffer)!
Click HERE and enjoy this bit by Rachel DePompa.
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| Photo courtesy of NBC 12 |
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
PLAY BALL
by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office
USA Softball Comes to Lynchburg and Loudoun
LYNCHBURG
USA Women's National Softball Exhibition Games
Friday, June 13th at 7pm (Gates open at 5pm)
City Stadium
$25 reserved, $15 general admission
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The United States Women's National Softball is coming to City Stadium in Lynchburg on the first stop on their 2014 Exhibition Tour. The National team will play a doubleheader exhibition against a team of local players, led by two-time Olympic gold-medalist, Coach Dot Richardson. Watch the Press Conference Announcement.
This fantastic family event will include an opening ceremony at 6:35pm, and a post-game autograph session.
Tickets to the exhibition double-header are now available, and can be purchased at the Lynchburg City Stadium from 9am - 5pm (except during regular season games) or online at www.lynchburg-hillcats.com. Reserved seats are $25, general admission tickets are $15. Tickets will be sold at the door if available.
Tickets to the exhibition double-header are now available, and can be purchased at the Lynchburg City Stadium from 9am - 5pm (except during regular season games) or online at www.lynchburg-hillcats.com. Reserved seats are $25, general admission tickets are $15. Tickets will be sold at the door if available.
Ticket questions? Contact the Hillcats staff at (434) 528-1144. General questions? Call the Parks and Recreation admin office at (434) 455-5858 or email parksinfo@lynchburgva.gov.
*NO REFUNDS. NO RAIN DATE.
USA Softball Clinic
Saturday, June 14th
9:00am – 12:00pm (Check-in begins at 8:00am)
Peaks View Park
Ages 6-18
$75.00 per player
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from TEAM USA! The USA Softball Women’s National Team will be holding a softball clinic in Lynchburg the day after their exhibition game. The clinic will be conducted by Ken Erickson, the head coach of Team USA and the University of South Florida. His coaching staff which will include some of the top collegiate coaches in the country as well as Team USA players. Participants will be divided into small groups by age, ability and will receive both group and one on one instruction. Cost includes a Team USA T-shirt.
Registration is now open. Register online today (links below) or stop by to register at the Lynchburg Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices or the Athletics Offices at Kemper Street. NO DAY-OF REGISTRATIONS!
Participant Info
Participants need to bring their own bat, glove and water bottle. Additional water will be available at the park. Parking is very limited so we encourage participants to carpool. Please park at the Ardmore & Tenbury entrances.
Participants need to bring their own bat, glove and water bottle. Additional water will be available at the park. Parking is very limited so we encourage participants to carpool. Please park at the Ardmore & Tenbury entrances.
Questions? Call Kaleb VanDePerre at (434) 847-1751.
*NO REFUNDS. IN THE EVENT OF RAIN, THE CLINIC WILL BE MOVED TO E.C. GLASS HIGH SCHOOL*
LOUDOUN
Click HERE for tickets.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Week's Top Five: Imitation is the Greatest Form of Flattery
by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office
Do you scratch your head each season in an effort to devise clever and captivating programming ideas to engage your communities? If you've advertised your event on social media, or if I happened upon it in my research, you were a candidate in the selection of this week's "Top Five: Great Programming and Event Ideas to Steal for the week of March 31".
NUMBER FIVE
Kings Dominion: Online Photo Mosaic
In celebration of their 40th anniversary, Kings Dominion is encouraging the public to tag and upload personal photos to a #KD40 mosaic. The photos can be searched by name, email, or keyword:
http://www.kingsdominionmemories.com/
Shenandoah Parks and Recreation: Womanless Beauty Pageant
Men in womens' clothing is always a good bet. Throw in a steak dinner at the Moose Lodge and confirmed contestants from Parks and Rec, Fire and Rescue, and the landfill, and the odds improve even more:
http://shenandoahcountyva.us/parks/events/2014-miss-seven-bends-womanless-beauty-pageant/
Danville Parks and Recreation: Wine and Design
Danville Parks and Recreation is teaming up with a commercial enterprise to offer an adult art program that encourages participants to bring their favorite wine, drinks, and light snacks. As they sample their wares, they are offered instruction in creating a 16X20 masterpiece. How grown-up is that?
https://apm.activecommunities.com/playdanvilleva/Activity_Search/wine-design/8205
Colonial Heights Recreation and Parks: Teen Easter Egg Night Hunt
Devising a programming event to engage teens is hard; it might be said that they are (a) a more difficult demographic to satisfy, and (b) a group that most certainly needs safe, engaging, monitored, socialized programming. Colonial Heights has managed to come up with an event that is bound to please everyone:
- Teens in the dark ...
- with flashlights ...
- who don't need to register until the DAY OF the event ...
- and are safely contained in a stadium ...
- while HUNTING and COMPETING for Easter eggs and REALLY GOOD PRIZES like theme park tickets and gift cards.
- CHEATERS ARE DISQUALIFIED (must be said ...).
NUMBER ONE
Senior Center: Lifelong Learning Programs
The sheer number of ongoing, engaging programs that Senior Center offers is beyond impressive. There is absolutely something for everyone, and each is designed to work the noggin':
Weekly:
- Apple/Mac Users Group
- Current Affairs
- Exploring Science
- Mah Jongg Lessons
- Writing for Health and Growth
- Writing for Pleasure
- Investment Vision Group
- Investors' Forum
- Le Cercle Francais (for those with a penchant for French)
- Socrates Cafe (philosophical idea discussion)
- All Things Digital
- Attorney Talk
- Book Group
- Chasing Life (staying healthy and engaged)
- Comparative Religions
- Poetry Group
- Merrill Lynch Financial Series
- Senior Statesmen of Virginia
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
It's that time of year - spread the word to your senior community!
Virginia Senior Games is presented by the Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS). A private, non-profit professional organization, VRPS was founded in 1953 with the purpose of uniting all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks, and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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Virginia Senior Games
6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Suite 109
Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111
(804) 730-9447
www.virginiaseniorgames.org
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