Greetings!

From the Executive Director

Dear Members,

Happy Holidays! I hope this newsletter finds each of you doing well. This edition marks a change as we are committed to going back to a monthly issue to keep you better informed and supplement the periodic WebNews. We also plan to post each issue on the PRPS Website for access by those not on the regular email list.

My first order of business is to again congratulate the PA Bureau of State Parks for winning the National Gold Medal Award for State Parks that was formally announced and presented at the 2009 NRPA Congress in October and recognized at our recent Fall Membership Meeting. This was a bright spot for DCNR and state parks during the tough economic times that we are all facing.

As I'm preparing this article, on the way to the PRPS website for posting is the Registration Guide for the 63rd Annual PRPS State Conference being held on March 20-24, 2010 at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort being brought to you in close partnership with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This year's theme is "Keeping Pennsylvania Green"! and there are many great programs and events to highlight, but I'm going to start by picking two.

On Monday, March 22, our feature speaker will be John L. Crompton, a Distinguished professor from Texas A&M University who is nationally renowned for his knowledge, publications, and presentation on the community benefits of recreation and parks. His working currently with the National Recreation and Park Association on this topic, and he will be bringing this expertise to share with us at the PRPS Conference. Although everyone can benefit, we hope that every recreation and park agency director in PA will be able to attend. John's presentation will focus on much of the information in his publication, "Community Benefits and Repositioning - The Keys to Park and Recreation's Future Viability," with lots of practical tips and examples on how the information can be applied to communities. It's part of our PRPS efforts to help each of you succeed by bringing the best experts we can find, here to Pennsylvania. I attended John's session at the NRPA Congress in Baltimore in 2008 which sold me on inviting him for the next available conference.

On Monday and Tuesday, participants, and agency program staff in particular, will have the opportunity to attend the LERN Program Management Institute (PMI) and Certification program. In the opinion of many top park and recreation professionals, LERN (Learning Resources Network) provides the top training and information available nationally relative to programming success. We'll be providing the two days of in-depth training plus there will be two additional webinars and an exam for those who desire the Certified Program Planner (CPP) designation. I have no doubt that attendance at the PMI will greatly enhance the effectiveness of your program planning skills whether at a community center, state park, trail organization, or other provider and the benefits will more than justify the cost of attending the PMI. The cost to register for the PMI is $299 for PRPS members which includes the Full Conference registration with lunches, breaks, socials, exhibit hall, and other sessions not overlapping with the PMI. Registration is limited to 50, so register early to ensure your spot.

There's a lot more that you'll discover in the Registration Guide. We've also done all we can to reduce our registration fees as much as possible to help members and others be able to attend. The full conference member registration fee is $30 less than it was in 2008 and the daily fees are down significantly. Agencies able to send 5 or more staff should contact Kim or Tracy in the PRPS Office to receive information on large group discounts.

Good news from our PA Therapeutic Recreation Society (PTRS). A very knowledgeable task force of PTRS members, Carrie Chiusano, Becky Kandrac, Wendy Jo Hartsock, and Donna Hoshauer, recently developed a new publication and workshop entitled, "A Practical Guide to Planning and Programming for Persons with Dementia." The one-day workshop was pilot tested in early November 2009 at two long-term facilities with excellent success and feedback. We are now looking for facilities that would like to host workshops in their area as we roll out the program using our cadre of expert instructors. Interested? Please let Kim Woodward, our PRPS Training Coordinator know by sending her an email, kwoodward@prps.org, or calling her at 814-234- 4272.

We hope you'll take advantage of these two training opportunities as well as others like the 2010 Youth Sports Summit being offered by PRPS. Check out the PRPS website, www.prps.org, on a regular basis as well as the WebNews sent by Emily.

Best regards,

Bob Griffith

	2010 Annual Conference

63rd Annual Conference
"Keeping Pennsylvania Green"
March 20-24, 2010
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Champion, PA

The Registration Guide is now available on the website!

How to Get Approval to Attend This Year's Annual Conference - In 4 easy steps

1. Write down the three to five most important strategies or issues being addressed in your organization right now.

2. Think about how you personally contribute to those strategies. How is your work aligned with the larger organization's strategy or mission? Make a list of these "personal contributions to strategy."

3. Look at the proposed agenda for the meeting and mark the sessions you want to attend that relate to your list of personal contributions to strategy, and also make a note of speakers or other people at the meeting you would like to meet.

4. Write a short business case for how attending these sessions and meeting these people will help you contribute to the organization's strategy. Use this business case to make your request for attending the meeting.
from Association Meetings, April 2009

click here for the Registration Guide

	Training Corner

	Branch & District News

	PRPS Flagpole Dedication

PRPS board members and staff gathered on September 15, 2009, as representatives from the Woodmen of the World conducted a flagpole dedication and "In Honor and Remeberance" ceremony at the PRPS office. Thank you to the Woodmen of the World organization for their generous donation of a flag and flagpole for the PRPS headquarters.

	Member News

Retirements
Herb Dolaway has officially retired on June 30 as Chambersburg's Superintendent of Recreation. His email is now dolaway@pa.net.

Sue Lohoefer retired from Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation on September 30, 2009. Sue is now the Facility & Community Affairs Manager for the School District of Upper Dublin.

On January 1, 2010, Gary Smith, Regional Park Manager of State Parks Region 3 will be retiring with 35+ years of service with the Commonwealth of PA.

On June 30, 2010, Ira Shapiro, Chairperson for School of Tourism and Hospitality Management will officially retire. Ira plans to return to Temple in the fall semester to teach on a part-time basis, most likely two courses per semester. On July 1, 2010 Ira will be awarded the title of Professor Emeritus, having served Temple for 40 years.

Congratulations New PRPS Babies!
Dan Russell from Upper Merion Township & his wife Angela from Limerick Township gave birth to a son Christopher George Russell on August 31, 2009. Weight: 7 lbs, 9 oz and length: 20 1/2 inches.

Cheri & Andy Matter, from East Pennsboro Township gave birth to a baby girl Emma Jayne Matter. She weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 19 inches long.

Kim & Jeff Woodward had a baby girl on October 2. Layla Mackenzie weighed 9 lbs. 2 oz. and 22 inches long.

Sarah Prebis from Warwick Township had a baby girl Molly Katherine on October 22. She weighed 6 lbs. 15 oz and 19" long.

Sympathies
Sue Ellen Dietz, 60, passed away on December 3, 2009. Sue was employed by Skills of Central PA for 40 years, and worked occasionally at the PRPS Office as a clerical assistant helping us with mailings. We all enjoyed her company and her loving, witty personality. She will be greatly missed.

Ralph Barkac, retired 9/2003 as the State Parks Region 3 Manager, passed away in Florida on Tuesday June 30th. He is survived by his wife Joyce. Her address is Joyce Barkac, 1551 Diamond Lake Circle, Naples FL 34114

John Zerbe, 80, PRPS Past President & Honorary Member passed away on July 17, 2009. He was a retired President and COO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. If desired, remembrances may be made to Derry Presbyterian Church, 248 E. Derry Road, Hershey, PA 17033 or Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Dave Milliren's wife Anna Mae Milliren passed away on October 7, 2009.

New Job Positions
Chris Lessig formerly of Manheim Township is now the Executive Director for Berks County Parks & Recreation Department. His email is now clessig@countyofberks.com.

Derek Dureka is now the new Director of Parks & Recreation with Upper Dublin Township.

Tammy Echevarria is now the new Recreation Superintendent with Upper Dublin Township.

Temple University Alumni Hall of Fame
School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Daniel C. Russell, BS '97

Daniel C. Russell is the director of the Park and Recreation Department of Upper Merion Township in Pennsylvania, which provides educational and athletic activities to 70,000 citizens annually.

Russell joined the department in 1997 and has served as director since 2007. His innovations include extended day camps for working parents, programs for citizens with special needs and the development of four new sports facilities, including a $5.5 million sports complex. He also helped build the Park Partners initiative to encourage corporate adoption of local parks. For these efforts, Russell has been awarded the Upper Merion Township Manager's Award for Excellence and Employee of the Year award.

Russell also is active with the Community Alliance for a Safe Tomorrow, the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society and the National Arbor Day Foundation. Additionally, he volunteers for benefit sports functions, civic associations and Hurricane Katrina relief projects.

He and his wife, Angela, live in Limerick, Pa., with their children, Jillian and Christopher.

	Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grant (C2P2) Workshops

February 2, 2010 - Southeast Region
The Fire Academy - Public Safety Training Campus,
1175 Conshohocken Rd., Conshohocken, PA

February 4, 2010 - Southeast Region
Chester County Government Services Center (GSC)
601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA

February 9, 2010 - Southcentral Region
Stuart Community Center
415 Franklin Street Carlisle, PA

February 11, 2010 - Northcentral Region
Boalsburg Volunteer Fire Company
113 East Pine Street Boalsburg, PA

February 18, 2010 - Northeast Region
Luzerne County Community College - Conference Center
1333 S. Prospect Street, Nanticoke, PA 18634- 3899

February 23, 2010 - NW Region
Clarion University of PA
James Gemmell Student Complex
Clarion, PA

February 24, 2010 - SW Region
Dormont Borough Recreation Center
1801 Dormont Ave.
Dormont, PA

click here to register online

	Tips of the Trade

From Kim Woodward, Training Coordinator

When creating your summer camp flyers geared to Gen Y - try using anime or comic book-style images. Marketing Recreation, Volume 20, No. 5

Sell the experience on the front cover of your recreation brochure. Smiling faces attract attention and create a positive impression about your programs and what you have to offer. Your brochure cover needs to make a connection with your readers quickly and can be accomplished with direct eye contact from the images to the reader! Marketing Recreation, Volume 20, No. 5

	Outside Work Day with PR Branch & PTRS Branch

Thank you to the Park Resource Branch, the Therapeutic Recreation Society and other PRPS members for the beautiful landscape job at the PRPS office.

	General Recreation, Inc.

	Building Fund Contributions - Thank You!

JUNE - DECEMBER 2009
Wayne Wade
Dennis DeMara
Liz Grosh
Andrew Mowen
Herberta Lundegren
Steve & Genny Volgstadt
Charles Sopkin
Karen Williamson
Michael King
Robert Deffner
Kathryn Brill
Lois Snowden
Diane Kripas
Latrobe-Unity Parks & Recreation
Butler County Parks & Recreation
Lititz Community Center

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

From the PRPS Staff!

	George Ely Associates, Inc.

	Board of Directors

President - Bill Rosevear
President-Elect - John Balicki, CPRP, CPSI
Past President - Steve Landes, CPRP
Secretary - Doug Wendell, CPRP
Treasurer - Judy Houck, CPRP
Citizen Directors - Don Joyce, Helen Griffith, APRP
Directors-at-Large - Audrey Logar, Bill Wert, CPRP, Kurt Baker, CPSI, Tonya Brown, CPRP
Educators Director - Annette Logan, CPRP, CTRS
Retired Professional - Bill Forrey
Student Director - Kyla Pugh
Aquatics Branch President - Daphne Sebelist- Klahr
Community Recreation & Parks - Joe Seltzer, III
Park & Resource Conservation - Jeff Larsen, CPSI
PA State Parks Society - Beth Grove
PA Therapeutic Recreation Society - Jenn Koehler
DI President - Lisa Black
DII President - Tammy Agesen
DIII President - Doug Knauss
Editor - Vanyla Tierney, CPRP
Development & Sponsorship Committee - Kim Woodward, CPRP
Executive Director - Bob Griffith
DCNR Liaison - Brenda Barrett
Membership Committee - Herb Dolaway, CPRP
Resort & Commercial Section - Chrissie Kelly

"PRPS is an Affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association"

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