May 17, 2010 
IN THIS ISSUE
WRPA Section Meetings
Nature Play Summit
Registration Open!
Lets Help Create More Parks
Stand And Be Counted
On The Move
Do You Contract?
QUICK LINKS
 
PARK AND RECREATION NEWS
 
annuallogo Greetings!
 
The WRPA E-news is distributed twice a month to our total membership. Its our tool for providing timely news and information you need regarding current events, grants, training, and great ideas to add value to your work day.
WRPA Upcoming Section Meetings
Connect with your colleagues at the next section meeting.  Visit the section web page to find agendas, direction and remote access via "gotomeeting" posted the week before each meeting. 
natureNATURE PLAY SUMMIT - Tuesday June 22, 2010
Hilton Hotel, Vancouver WA - Featuring luncheon keynote speaker Richard Louv, author Last Child in the Woods.  Designed to address the growing "nature deficit" in children of all ages, the Nature Play Summit will bring together leaders in Parks and Recreation, environmental, education and health care to help foster the values of nature play.  $25 registration includes access to educational breakout sessions throughout the day, lunch and the exhibitor fair.  Detailed program still under development.  Hosted by the Parks Foundation Clark County - more  Registration for this program supported by WRPA - register
SKILL BUILDERS AND MUCH MORE... REGISTRATIONS OPEN!
Registration now open- click here to register for any of the following trainings:
LET'S HELP CREATE MORE PARKS
Take Action!
Every Letter Counts!! 
Last week landscape architects mobilized on Capitol Hill for their annual Advocacy Day.  They made over 400 visits to senators and representatives from all 50 states and we are seeing the results immediately!
 
Because of these efforts we have seen 6 new House Members sign on to HR 3734 The Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act, and growing interest from a number of senate offices in introducing a senate companion bill.  Help build on the momentum of last week's Advocacy Day and weigh in with your elected officials!
 
ASLA's 2300 by May 23rd Campaign is working to innundate the Hill with messages in support of the urban parks legislation- join the hundreds who have already weighed in and ask your House member to co-sponsor HR 3734 and ask your Senator to introduce a companion bill in the Senate!
 
Simply click TAKE ACTION above and use the provided templates to urge your legislators to support this legislation.  If possible, please personalize your letter with examples of parks and recreation projects that you or your colleagues have worked on.  More 
NRPASTAND AND BE COUNTED
NRPA is collecting data on the impact of the current economy on the local parks and recreation agencies so that we can help you get funding. The results of the survey so far are dramatic, but are they real?  We need additional input from your region to have truly significant statistical results.  The results will be extremely valuable to you and your community.  We need at least 100 responses from each region.   The respondents by region so far are:

· Midwest 46
· Pacific Northwest 39
· Pacific Southwest 81
· Northeast 38
· Mid-Atlantic 46
· Southern 123
· Southwest 44
· Great Lakes 141
 
National Advocacy for parks and recreation funding initiatives and other helpful legislation depends on current knowledge of conditions in your state.  Your participation in this survey helps your community and your peers by empowering NRPA with the credibility and clout to represent you in Washington, D.C.  This survey should not take more than ten minutes of your time and is critical to our success.  We have not received enough responses from your region, and need you to respond today so that we have the strongest information to advocate for you. Please help your community, your peers, and NRPA.  Complete the survey now.   If you have any questions or problems with the link please contact Bill Beckner.
ON THE MOVE
Mike McCarty, AWC CEO, announced today that AWC's Director of State and Federal Relations Jim Justin will be leaving to join Governor Gregoire's office as her legislative director.
"This is truly a testament to the outstanding job Jim has done for of all of Washington's cities and towns. He is a highly respected voice with the governor's office, the Legislature, and state agencies. Cities respect his work.
 
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Sunday dispatched the head of the National Park Service, Jon Jarvis, to Mobile, Ala., and the acting head of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Rowan Gould, to Houma, La., to help with recovery efforts as the oil plume bears down on several wildlife preserves.
The National Park Service manages Gulf Islands National Seashore, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Padre Island National Seashore, and Everglades National Park, among other parks along the Gulf Coast.  More
DO YOU CONTRACT OR HIRE INSTRUCTORS FOR YOUR CLASSES?
WRPA recently surveyed the program section members to learn what method is most popular for determining their contract instructors' compensation package.  This request came specifically from the Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department who is researching how agencies work with their recreation class instructors  Fifty three people responded and we are happy to now share the results with our membership. 
 Survey Results
WRPA is a 501c3 not-for-profit professional and public interest organization.  WRPA is dedicated to providing resources for the public and our members who create community through people parks and programs.  Thank your for your membership in WRPA.
 
Sincerely,
 

Brit Kramer, CPRP, CAE
Washington Recreation & Park Association