This issue of the Update is focused on bringing you up to date on a number of topics including the recently completed 63rd Annual PRPS State Conference held on March 20-24, 2010 at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort.  The Conference seemed to go just as well as we hoped thanks to the hard work of our Conference Committee chaired by Heather Jerry and Dave Hutner and of my staff.  For those who attended, it was great seeing so many of you despite the economic challenges this year, and I'm sorry others could not make it.  The exhibit hall was Sold Out plus we had the addition of "demo" sessions in the hall, a new feature that went well.  According to those who heard him, our keynote speaker, John Crompton, as just as good as we hoped delivering practical information on the benefits of recreation and parks and how it can be utilized to improve the positioning of our agencies in the financial pecking order. 
 
Sunday evening featured DCNR Secretary John Quigley who provided an excellent update on DCNR and it's funding, and he challenged us to stay involved in the political debate both for this year's budget and as the Department transitions with the election of a new Governor.  The Secretary presented the first DCNR/PRPS Green Parks Award to Plymouth Township Parks and Recreation Department, selected from a very competitive group of nominees.  Finally,  Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Bill Forrey, assisted by PRPS President Bill Rosevear, presented Secretary Quigley with the 2010 PRPS Governmental Award for his efforts during these extremely challenging times at DCNR. 
 
I've personally know Secretary Quigley since his days in the early 1990's when he was the mayor of the City of  Hazelton, and among the first municipal leaders to get his city council to sign-on in support of the Key 93 bond referendum.  He also helped to establish the Hazelton Rail-Trail.  This personal commitment to parks and conservation has continued and is evidenced often as he's fighting for the DCNR budget and to protect our state parks and forests in the face of onerous mandates related to drilling and budget cuts. 
 
Other educational programs at the Conference went very well. I heard many complaints that there were too many good sessions and tough choices.  I think that's a good thing as we try to be sure that all attendees get good value for their expenditure of time and money when they attend.
 
On Sunday evening, we had the fireworks donated by Zambelli, and they went on and on resulting in a fabulous show.  Thank you Zambelli Fireworks Internationale!
 
Zambelli was one of many sponsors recognized on Monday morning of the Conference and listed elsewhere in this update.  Be sure to thank and patronize all of our sponsors as you see them during the year.  We are very fortunate to have so many loyal supporters!
 
Our socials were great fun and outstanding networking opportunities coordinated primarily by Mary Beth Birks and Kim Pinkerton with help from the district leaders and several of our college alumni groups.  Seven Springs also chipped in complimentary Pirate baseballs for the "Take me out to the Ballgame Social".  A very competitive "corn hole/bean bag toss competition was won by District 2 and the team of Harry Norton and Andrew Quarino.  ELF Entertainment once again sponsored an array of fun games. 
 
Another addition to the Conference was program for student attendees that was an internship project coordinated by Amber Young from Lock Haven University who did her internship at the PRPS Office this semester.  Working with outgoing Student Director Kyla Pugh and incoming Student Director David Wells along with PRPS Training Coordinator Kim Woodward, Student Involvement Committee Chair Lisa Black, and Educators Director Annette Logan, a new Student Council was established with representatives from most of the College Recreation and Parks programs across PA, and plans are in place to keep the effort going strong in the future.  This really went well, and I'm excited to see how it continues though the 2011 Conference.  Watch for more information from David Wells.
 
The State Conference also includes a Board of Directors Meeting and the Annual Business Meeting for PRPS.  Under the leadership of PRPS President Bill Rosevear, these meetings were quite busy.  The top item of business was focusing on my pending retirement.  As you may recall from the February 2010 newsletter, I'm planning to officially retire as PRPS executive director on December 31, 2010, and a search process was put in place by President Rosevear and the Board of Directors.  

 
I'm happy to report that the search process did not take long.  By unanimous votes, both the Search Committee and the PRPS Board of Directors has selected Kim Woodward, the current PRPS Training Coordinator, to become the next PRPS Executive Director.  
 
This is great news for several reasons.  First, we are getting an extremely qualified person who has proven her capabilities and strong commitment to PRPS and its members over the past eight years as a staff member.  She earned my highest recommendation which I did not take lightly after 30+ years on the job.  Every one who knows me at all, knows how much I value PRPS, everyone of our customers, my trusted staff, and the future of recreation and parks in PA, and I'm confident she'll do as well or better than me.
 
Second, acting early will provide us with a nice, long transition window to make the change in executive director as seamless as possible.  It will also enable ongoing program and service improvements to move forward with less disruption.  And, we'll have time to deal with other staff replacements.  Judi Deitrich, our finance director, is also retiring on June 30, 2010, so we'll be hiring a replacement for her job.  And, with Kim's promotion, we'll be hiring a new training director, and we are seeking funding to further expand.  It's going to be a busy time so I think we have positioned ourselves for success.  
 
Bob Griffith
 

Executive Director
PA Recreation and Park Society