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.

Legislative Report: Special Session

The 2012 Legislature ended the first week of the Special Session largely in the same way it began it - without a deal on the Operating Budget, without a Capital Budget, and without any breakthrough to indicate there will be adjournment anytime soon.  More

Annual Conference & Trade Show

May 2, 2012 Opening Keynote 

John Curley

"How to change your luck in 7/10's of a second"

On a sunny fall day on a bridge in New Jersey, John Curley heard a stranger yell one word at him that changed his life forever. John now travels the US masterfully retelling this riveting, humorous, and life-affirming story.  More about our conference keynotes

Don't have budget to attend the whole conference?  Special daily rates are available.  More

Conference Golf Tournament 

FORE!  Come to the Bellevue Golf Course for the annual WRPA golf tournament.  Start building your team and get ready to participate in a fun event.  $55 includes 18 holes of golf on our premier public golf course, cart, deluxe box lunch, goodie bag, and awards ceremony with refreshments and discounted beverages. Sponsored by Buell Recreation  Register

Aquatic Facility Operator Course

March 21-23, 2012: This course provides in-depth instruction in all facets of aquatic facility opertaion and management. The AFO course is specifically designed to meet the needs of those working in public, semi public and municipality pools and water park facilities. The AFO program offers a unique discussion of risk management, not usually directed towards operations personnel.  More/ Register

Mid-Year Call For Sessions

The WRPA Conference Education Committee (CEC) is seeking dynamic speakers and leaders who can share knowledge, experience, and best practices related to the parks and recreation field for our Mid Year Conference & Trade Show, November 9, 2012 in Everett. Deadline for session proposals has been extended to March 30, 2012. More 

Grant Opportunity

The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation is pleased to announce they are currently accepting applications for our Youth Against Violence Fund. The Youth Against Violence Fund was created to support programs that provide alternatives to youth violence in Pierce County. Applications are due Monday April 30. More

WRPA Election Results

Announcing the newest members of our executive board based on our recent election results:  View entire 2012-2013 Executive Board.

• Carrie Hite, Vice President
• Colin Walker, Secretary/Treasurer
• Lona Graves, Admin Section Chair Elect
• Erin Thim, Athletic/Fitness Section Chair Elect
• Julie Ryan, Facility Section Chair Elect
• Dan Acker, Park Resources Section Chair Elect
• Ryan Daly, Program Section Chair Elect
• Sarah Sandquist, Teen Section Chair Elect
• Tony Trofinczuk, District 1 Elect
• Erin Patterson, District 2 Elect
• Scott River, District 3 Chair
• Jenny Wilson, District 3 Elect
• Mike Aho, District 6 Elect

Teaching Safe Springboard Diving

May 20, 2012: Patti Southerland will be offering this course on how to teach diving that is safe, fun and informative for beginners-advanced level diving! The goal of the clinic is to help new instructors teach young swimmers to become divers or maybe young gymnasts how to become divers!  More / Register

ON THE MOVE
Washington State Parks is kicking off its 100th birthday celebration with events across Washington state. More  Follow them on Facebook.

Richland Parks & Recreation Director, Doug Strong, has announced his retirement.  The department is having a celebration in Richland on March 30th in his honor. 

The Senate confirmed the appointments of all the RCFB members (Harriet Spanel, Betsy Bloomfield, Peter Mayer and Ted Willhite in 2012, and Bill Chapman in 2011)

BELLINGHAM - Mayor Dan Pike has appointed former Alaska state parks director James King as director of the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department.  Pike said he chose King, an Alaska native, from among several well-qualified candidates.  "He has been successful during boom and bust times, bringing people together, listening to their needs and interests, and finding creative ways to fund improvements and solve problems," Pike said in a press release. "He has a genuine love of the outdoors, and, as the father of four, a deep commitment to creating legacies for future generations." More 

Stephanie Redman has been hired as the new Executive Director for the Oregon Park and Recreation Association.  Amanda Rich has left to be the State Government Relations Director for the Nature Conservancy in Oregon.

WRPA Forums
The Facility Section is testing our forums before we upload our membership.  If you want to check it out start here.  Remember you must log into the WRPA web site to see and access the forum pages.

Quick View of Upcoming Training

Visit our registration page for more information on all these trainings.

• Mar 21-23: Aquatic Facility Operator Course
• May 02: WRPA Annual Conference & Trade Show
• May 20: Springboard Diving
• June 09: Westside Summer Skillbuilder (save the date)
• June 09: Aquatic Skillbuilder (save the date)

Brit Kramer, CPRP, CAE

Executive Director 

Washington Recreation & Park Association

Upcoming Section Meetings

We believe ALL kids are created equal

At Landscape Structures, we're creating play environments where all children and their families can play together, regardless of their abilities.

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