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 ??

2016 VRPS Annual Conference Silent Auction

SRG Call for Line Dancers

2015 VRPS Annual Conference Awards: Recognizing Excellence in 2014

2015 Annual Conference Photos

Enjoy these albums courtesy of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation.  There's multiple pages - so scroll through!

VRPS 2015 Annual Conference

VRPS 2014 Awards, Presented at VRPS 2015 Annual Conference

Lots on the Menu

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  Aquatic Risk Management Series (ARMS) 

Herndon Community Center,
October 17, 2014

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Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course

Rockingham Co/Harrisonburg:  October 22-24, 2014
Newport News:  April 1-3, 2015
Leesburg:  September 23-25, 2015

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2014 CSA Fall Workshop

Henrico, VA
November 13, 2014

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 2014 VRPS Annual Conference 

Omni Homestead
December 6-9, 2014

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 2014 NSA Holiday Social

December 16, 2014

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 VRPS/DCR Webinar Series

January 27, 2015:  Economics of Outdoor Recreation

FREE to VRPS Members; CEU's available for fee

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2015 VRPS Management Conference 

Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront, Suffolk
February 22-24, 2015

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Athletic Fields 501

March 23, 2015:  Salem
March 24, 2015:  Chesapeake
March 25, 2015:  Henrico
March 26, 2015:  Fairfax

Ugly is in the Eye of the Beholder

by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

The 60th Annual VRPS Annual Conference takes place this year Saturday, December 6 - Tuesday, December 9.  One of the most-anticipated events, no doubt, is the Ugly Sweater Welcome Social on Saturday from 8-10pm, sponsored by the VRPS Western Service Area.

So, in preparation, one might ponder as to where to procure an "ugly sweater".  This VRPS blogger did a little research, and found an excellent resource in Central Office's own Lori Haislip.  Lori is a former Ugly Sweater Winner herself, as well as a proficient ugly sweater shopper.  She offers these tips:

• Shop Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any thrift store.
• Yard sales work too; just don't spend a lot.
• Don't overlook vests - they are more likely to fit.
• Look for "ugly" components, to include:
• Cheap fabric
• Loud colors
• Dated patterns
• Appliques and funky embroidery work
• Teddy bears, bunny rabbits, and other equally quirky and age-inappropriate garb

Additional tips to follow:

• MEN, look in the ladies' sections
• Use caution:  one person's "ugly" is another's treasure....

Deadlines are Coming - Don't Miss Out!

by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office VRPS Calendar of Events CLICK ON THE CALENDAR ICON FOR ONLINE FORMAT! Friday, July 25 * 10am 2014 AC Meeting Friday, August 1 * LTI Committee App Deadline * 2014 AC Online Registration Discount Deadline Friday, August 15 * 10am 2014 AC Meeting Wednesday, August 27 * 10am 2015 Management Conference Meeting Friday, August 29 *10am CSA Meeting * 5pm 2014 AC Awards Submission Deadline Monday, September 1 * Central Office Closed Wednesday, September 10 * 10am 2015 AC Meeting Tuesday, September 16 * 10am ARG Board@Central Office Thursday, September 18 * VPG and CAB Meeting Friday, September 19 * 10am 2014 AC Meeting Tuesday, September 23 * 1pm ESA Membership Meeting Wednesday, September 24 * 10am MC 2015 Meeting Tuesday, September 30 * Online Registration Setup Deadline UPCOMING DEADLINES August 1:  2014 VRPS Annual Conference Online Registration Discount Deadline Quicklinks: Online Registration Registration Fees Explained 2014 Annual Conference Page August 1:  Leadership Training Institute Committee Member Submission Quicklinks: Leadership Training Institute Page and Committee Flyer August 29:  2014 VRPS Annual Conference 2013 Awards Submission Deadline Quicklinks: 2013 Awards Submission Page September 5:  Certified Playground Safety Inspector October 22-24 Course Early Registration Deadline Quicklinks: CPSI Online Registration CPSI Page CPSI Flyer September 30:  2014 VRPS Online Registration Submissions Due to the timing of the 2014 Annual Conference in early December, all online registration requests for workshops and functions for the remainder of 2014 should be submitted to Central Office by COB Tuesday, 9/30.  Quicklinks: Workshop form to setup online registration CEU Session Proposal Form for SA/RG CEU Session Proposal Form

2014 Annual Conference: Online Awards Submission for 2014

by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM YOUR 2014 VRPS ANNUAL CONFERENCE AWARDS COMMITTEE

Welcome to the Virginia Recreation & Park Society’s Annual Awards and Citations program.  New this year is a completely paperless system for awards nominations.  We hope that this process will be seamless for you and any constructive feedback would be appreciated after you complete the process.  This is the first year, so we are sure that we can continue to make improvements for next year.

Recognize a co-worker or fellow staff member for their outstanding work during the year!

Important things you need to know BEFORE you start the uploading process:

*  You will want to have all of your award nominations ready for uploading before you start the process.

*  All award nominations should be in PDF format, but we will accept other formats such as Word, JPEGs, etc.  When possible, please include all photos and supporting materials in a SINGLE document.

*  Prepare your original narration with double-space text (minimum of 12 pt. font) and then include your photos at the end.  If you have other supporting materials such as buttons, shirts, signs, banners, etc., you will take a photo of those items and include those photos within your original narration as previously noted.

*  Please include high-resolution photos in your narration (300 dpi minimum).

*  Awards to be considered are for the period of January 1-December 31, 2013 only.

*  VRPS Awards & Citations Committee reserves the right to re-direct entries into appropriate categories.  Incorrect submissions for population divisions will not be redirected.

*  If you are submitting a nomination but it is for a joint project, each agency will need to submit separately, upload the supporting document, and pay the nomination fee.  Please remember that joint agency submissions must combine populations from each submitting agency.

*  Nominations for individual awards must include one photo of the nominee.

*  If you are uploading a video as supporting documentation, you will need to provide a complete URL for the video, and the video must remain online and active until October 31, 2014.

*  2010 Census information must be obtained from the US Census Bureau at www.census.gov.  VRPS Awards & Citations Committee suggests that you use the QuickFacts option in the center of teh home page.  Once you generate your census information for your city or county, please save it as a PDF.  You will upload this information only once as part of the Official Nomination Form.

*  All nominations will require payment via credit card. 

*  Once you complete the process, you should receive an email confirmation.

For a complete explanation of the Awards & Citations categories and the judging criteria, please CLICK HERE for the summary sheet.

For a list of Awards & Citations Committee members, please CLICK HERE.  If you have questions about the upload process or the judging criteria or something in general, please contact a committee member at your convenience.

The most important thing to remember:  this year’s deadline is Friday, August 29 at 5:00pm.  We will utilize your submission’s timestamp to ensure that all submissions meet the 5:00pm cut-off.

GOOD LUCK!

Click HERE to submit your online Awards Application

52 Ways to Use Your VRPS Membership: Week 34, Location-Location-Location

Some of the loveliest places in the state - for 58 years ....
by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

The biggest VRPS event of the year is Annual Conference.  As soon as one concludes, we begin planning for the next.  For the various committees, it is the opportunity to see their efforts come to fruition.  For the attendees, it is the privilege to reconnect and push comfort zones.  The 4-days are fun - filled with learning, socializing, exploring, networking, and more.  Take a look at some of the venues over the years:

1955	Hotel Richmond, Richmond	1985	Holiday Inn – Waterside, Norfolk
1956	Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke	1986	Richmond Hyatt, Richmond
1957	Hotel Jefferson, Richmond	1987	NC/VA Winston Salem, NC
1958	George Mason Hotel, Alexandria	1988	Tyson’s Corner Sheraton, Virginia
1959	Hotel Jefferson, Richmond	1989	NC/VA Cavalier Hotel, Virginia Beach
1960	Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke	1990	Hyatt Richmond, Richmond
1961	Hotel Jefferson, Richmond	1991	Sheraton / Marriott, Roanoke
1962	Hotel Jefferson, Richmond	1992	Williamsburg Hilton, Williamsburg
1963	Golden Triangle Motel, Norfolk	1993	Williamsburg Hilton, Williamsburg
1964	Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke	1994	Williamsburg Hilton, Williamsburg
1965	Marriott Twin Bridges, Washington, DC	1995	Hyatt Richmond, Richmond
1966	Golden Triangle Motel, Norfolk	1996	Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke
1967	Hotel Jefferson, Richmond	1997	Cavalier Hotel, Virginia Beach
1968	Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke	1998	Hampton Holiday Inn, Hampton
1969	Olde Colony Motor Lodge, Alexandria	1999	Richmond Marriott, Richmond
1970	Cavalier Hotel, Virginia Beach	2000	The Homestead, Bath County
1971	Natural Bridge Hotel, Natural Bridge	2001	Williamsburg Marriott, Williamsburg
1972	Hotel John Marshall, Richmond	2002	Portsmouth Renaissance, Portsmouth
1973	Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke	2003	The Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke
1974	Ramada Inn Rosslyn, Arlington	2004	Hilton Mark Center, Alexandria
1975	Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke	2005	Hampton Road Confence Center, Hampton
1976	Omni Hotel, Norfolk	2006	Virginia Beach Convention Center
1977	Hyatt House, Richmond	2007	Williamsburg Hilton, Williamsburg
1978	Sheraton Motor Inn, Fredericksburg	2008	Richmond Convention Center, Richmond
1979	Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke	2009	Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke
1980	Cavalier Hotel, Virginia Beach	2010	Hampton Road Confence Center, Hampton
1981	Hotel John Marshall, Richmond	2011	Marriot Norfolk Waterside, Norfolk
1982	Sheraton National Hotel, Washington D.C.	2012	Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center
1983	Richmond Hyatt, Richmond	2013	Williamsburg Hotel & Conference Center
1984	Sheraton Airport Roanoke, Roanoke	2014	The Homestead, Bath County
		2015	Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront

How many have you attended?  Some of them aren't even in existence anymore, and some have been re-invented or re-named ... the future holds great promise.

It was true love ....

by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

"Join a Wintergreen Volunteer naturalist to exlore Virginia mountain geology, geography, plants, animals, and local lore.  Come prepared with good day-hiking equipment for variable weather and hiking conditions ... Our focus will also be directed on how to lead a hike, understanding your audience and provide an educational experience to the group while having fun in a natural environment."

The air was crisp, the sky a glorious blue, and the calming greenery of Wintergreen Resort simply breathtaking.  As I embarked on my first educational session, "Leading a Nature Hike", the call of the woods beckoned.  We loaded the Wintergreen Shuttle and were off to embrace the Appalachian Trail (or "AT" as my new post-session-hike lingo has now afforded me).

"Alga met Fungus in the trees, and they took a Lichen to each other.  Unfortunately, their marriage ended up on the rocks ...."


The lesson from our fearless leader, Richard, in this little love story was to explain the tendency of lichens to colonize on rock.  However, Richard's true message was for each of us, in our leadership roles, to gauge the audience and convey lessons in whatever context reaches them - and it did.  Otherwise, how else would I have any recollection of the nature of the symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi in lichens?  It is altogether likely that I have never before used those three words in the same sentence in the course of my entire life.

Richard concluded the discussion portion of the session, atop beautiful Indian Rock, by emptying his hiking pack and explaining the merit of each necessary component.  He solicited the group as to what other items we have found useful in our own packs.  My new bff CJ shared a tip regarding dollar store warming blankets:  cost-effective, small additions to any responsible hikers backpack (or vehicle driver's glovebox), that offer a myriad of uses:

• solar still (to draw moisture in the event of a dehydration issue)
• warming
• reflective signaling device
• ground cloth
• tarp

My enjoyment of the afternoon and the benefits of the experience are not limited to the hike nor to my newfound enlightenment as to the algae/fungi love story.  And, they are not limited to me.  Below is a message shared post-hike by fearless-leader-Richard:

Many thanks to everyone who attended the conference on Sunday and participated in the hike.  I can honestly say that you were one of the more exciting and energetic groups that I have had the pleasure of meeting.  I had the opportunity to sit-in on the key note speaker session and feel as though you all have a wonderful opportunity to advance your programs looking at all of the demographic changes we have in the future.  I feel privileged to have been a small part of what looks like a great conference. 




Happy Trails to all ... in this case the Appalachian.

#ClimbUp

Mine says "KNOW IT ALL".

by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

• It's the Friday of a four-day week, thanks to Monday Labor Day.
• It's the Friday of a four-day week before the VRPS Annual Conference, which begins tomorrow, Saturday.
• It's the Friday of a four-day week before the VRPS Annual Conference, for which three-fourths of the staff has already left.

As with any big event, there are more last-minute to-do's than there are last-minutes.

We deserved FUN ribbons this week - little special somethings to motivate us.  They're quite telling ....

See you at the top ....

Conference Time!

by Jim Stutts, VRPS Executive Director, Central Office

As you know, a great deal of time and effort goes into planning the VRPS Annual Conference.  The process takes approximately 12 – 18 months, and involves dozens of very talented and committed individuals.  With the next conference planning team getting organized prior to the existing planning team’s actual event, the conference planning literally never ends.  Nor should it.  Each year new and fresh ideas emerge, exciting new venues are unveiled, interesting speakers and fascinating exhibits are discovered, and lots of members take advantage of this exceptional training and networking opportunity.

Wintergreen Resort - Stoney Creek Golf Course

I know you’ve heard this before, but it’s worth repeating.  This year’s conference at Wintergreen, September 8 – 11, will be spectacular.  The planning team is in the final phase of confirming educational sessions (approximately 75), sponsors and exhibitors, really fun entertainment…can you ride a bull, climb a wall, identify stars or slide down a mountain.  All of this and great food and much, much more is awaiting you at Wintergreen.  If you have not been to a VRPS Conference in a few years, I assure you, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Now thinking ahead.  The 2013 Conference Team met last week at James City County’s newest park, Freedom Park.  First of all, the new team has vetted over 47 different theme ideas, and is very close to unveiling the 2013 Conference official conference title, theme and logo.  Scheduled for September 7 – 10, 2013 at the Williamsburg Hotel and Conference Center (formally the Williamsburg Marriott), the conference is going to be special.

"Go Ape" Treetop Adventure Course

If we are lucky, we may get a chance to visit FreedomPark!  What a neat space.  It is a 601 acre forested retreat with 30 miles of hiking trails, Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course, Revolutionary Way Battle Site, a Free Black settlement, a 17^th century homestead, botanical garden and Interpretative Center.  It’s a fascinating park.  In fact, you may want to visit it before 2013!

Freedom Park Cabins

VRPS continues to benefit from scores of talented and committed members that are passionate about our profession.  They also are very generous in sharing time and expertise to make VRPS a better and relevant organization.  There is pride among us and for that we are extremely fortunate.