|
|
|
From the Executive Director
On November 17th at the Fall Membership Meeting, Kim Woodward will replace me as the PRPS Executive Director. This is an exciting time for PRPS, and I know you will join me in welcoming and supporting Kim as she embarks on the next major step in her career and a new chapter for PRPS.
I also want to announce that we have hired four new persons for our PRPS staff. Wynn Meyers started on October 25th as the new part-time bookkeeper; Ann Thomas started on October 26th as a part-time financial assistant to help a range of projects including ticket sales, grants, memberships, and online registrations; Emily Gates will begin on November 3rd as a special projects coordinator; and Jeremy Bean will begin on November 8th as the new training coordinator replacing Kim in that position.
After I step down as executive director on the 17th, I'll be continuing with PRPS in an advisory role to complete transition projects until the end of December and then will be officially retired. We have grant projects to close out; records to review for retention; and new employees to train. After December, I'll be around to help where Kim and the other staff may need a volunteer when not visiting my new grandson Aaron, fishing, or doing some home projects. I also hope to visit with many of you at future PRPS conferences and other events.
Since this will be my last executive director message, I want to thank all the members and my staff for their terrific support since I first started working for PRPS as a graduate assistant in September 1976 and then as the full-time executive director in September 1977. It has been a privilege and a most enjoyable experience to serve as your executive director and certainly the best job that anyone could possibly have had.
I'd also like to wish every one of you the very best in your future endeavors!
Best regards,
Bob Griffith
Executive Director
Severance Tax Update
Unfortunately, the optimism that we had a few weeks ago that a severance tax would be enacted this fall based on positive remarks by Governor Rendell has not panned out. The parties involved with the negotiations, the Governor, the PA House, and the PA Senate, have not been able to agree on a compromise as to the tax rate and the allocation of tax revenues. So, Pennsylvania continues to be without a severance tax to provide the benefits from natural gas extraction seen in other states with similar extraction activity. This is happening despite the continued financial struggles with the Pennsylvania State Budget which are only expected to get worse in 2011.
In response to the inaction on the severance tax, Governor Rendell imposed a moratorium on new leasing for Marcellus Shale extraction on PA state forest lands in hopes of stimulating new activity on the tax as well as to protect the forests from further leasing to make up for revenue lost due the lack of a tax.
Five Republican Senators from the southeastern PA did write to the Senate Leadership to encourage them to return to Harrisburg to complete action on the severance tax. So, far no new activity of which we are aware has been scheduled as of early November.
|
|
Save the Date! PRPS 64th Annual Conference
submitted by Suzanne Guirate, Conference Publicity Chair
It's REVOLUTIONARY!
It's almost here - time to start getting prepared for the 64th Annual PRPS Conference, March 19-23, 2011 at the Valley Forge Convention center, Valley Forge, PA
And most importantly, when Barry Weiss, retired Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of San Carlos, CA shares his passion and convictions of our profession as Monday morning's general session speaker, how will you use that information to inspire others and share his motto "Creating Community through People, Parks, and Programs"?
What can your organization donate to the Community Branch for the PRPS Prize Pool? What questions do you have for the Youth Sports Task Force round table to make your league operate more effectively? How many vendors will you talk to in the Exhibit Hall for your chance to win $20? It's never too early to start honing your skills for "Minute to Win It".
Be budget conscious with some new fee options for the conference
Full Conference (meals included) - Member Rate: $385.00/Non-Member Rate: $400.00
Commuter (does not include dinners) - Member Rate: $325.00/Non-Member Rate: $340.00
NEW!!! No Frills (regular educational sessions only) - Member Rate: $250.00 This is an offer just for PRPS Members!
Daily (includes lunch and breaks) - Member Rate: $120.00/Non-Member: $129.00
Overnight Lodging at the Convention Center - $132.00 per room (single/double)
The Valley Forge Convention Center is attached to the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge and the Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center, offering a total of 488 guestrooms. With three restaurants and a nightclub on site, you're guaranteed to have a splendid stay.
Radisson Hotel Valley Forge Reservations number (800) 395-7046 or (610) 337-2000
Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center Reservations number (610) 265-1500.
|
|
Member News
Area man delivers food to local shelters
 | |
Photo Dan Gleiter, The Patriot-News
Mike Macchioni of Derry Twp. drops off produce at Shalon House in Harrisburg |
submitted by Nick Malawskey, The Patriot-News
Mike Macchioni is a big guy with two bad knees and a vocabulary that would make a sailor blush.
But beneath his rough exterior and expansive chest beats a heart of gold.
Almost two decades ago, Macchioni started volunteering at local soup kitchens and shelters. He would donate food or organize a Christmas party. Eventually, he started donating fresh produce, usually once a week.
Three years ago, after his mother died, he created a nonprofit, Gemma's Angels, which he named after her. This summer, he started a donate-a-tomato program, encouraging backyard gardeners to help their communities.
New Babies
Bob Griffith is a proud grandpa of a new grandson Aaron Scott McKinney who was born on Friday, October 22 at 12:42 p.m.. He weighed 8lbs, 12 oz. Congratulations Grandpa Bob!
Sympathies
Debra Hatley's sister passed away on October 13, 2010.
Pat Cannon's mother passed away on October 26, 2010.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
|
PA Conservation Corps Grants
The Pennsylvania Conservation Corps (PCC) offers grants to political subdivisions wishing to carry out conservation, recreation and historical preservation projects. Grantees receive the services of a PCC crew for one year, and up to $15,000 for materials and contracted services. The following notice, which appeared in the October 2 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin, may be of interest to your members:
Department of Labor & Industry
Pennsylvania Conservation Corps: Grants for Projects
Grants for projects related to conservation, recreation, historical preservation, graffiti removal, and the repair of institutional vandalism will be available under the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps (PCC) program.
Agencies eligible to apply for Pennsylvania Conservation Corps (PCC) projects are:
- The Departments of Labor & Industry, Conservation & Natural Resources, Public Welfare, Corrections, Military & Veterans Affairs, Aging, Education, and Community & Economic Development
- The Pennsylvania Game, Fish & Boat, and Historical & Museum Commissions
- The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
- Political subdivisions
- Non-profit agencies in cities of the first class (for projects involving the removal of graffiti and the repair of institutional vandalism only)
The PCC program is designed to provide work experience and educational opportunities to unemployed young adults as they undertake needed projects on Pennsylvania's public lands. Funds available through the program may be used to purchase approved construction materials and contracted services (political subdivisions must provide a 25% cash match). The wages of corpsmembers and crewleaders are paid directly by the Department of Labor & Industry.
Applications for PCC projects will be accepted from political subdivisions and eligible non-profits through Friday, January 7, 2011. State agency applications will be accepted through Friday, February 4, 2011.
For more information, or to obtain a grant application packet, contact: Pennsylvania Conservation Corps, 651 Boas Street, Room 1405, Harrisburg, PA 17121, (717) 783-6385. E-mail inquiries may be directed topcc@state.pa.us. Grant application materials are also available for download from the Department of Labor & Industry Web site: www.dli.state.pa.us/pcc.
|
|
NRPA Congress Highlights
Healthy Communities Session
Have you realized the programs you already do that have a direct correlation with healthy lifestyles?
Reposition your Agency to be a Public Health Provider - You Already Are!
Do you have a festival or community day?
Is there dancing or active events? If so these are measurable and they have an impact on a healthy lifestyle.
Other programs you can provide that have a health component are; Exergaming-Wii, Farmer's Market, Community Gardens, Pick-Up Sports, Programming for Dogs (really for dog owners).
Other innovative new ideas include:
Green Roofs - large box buildings (i.e. Walmart) being created into a Turf Field for soccer, etc.
Kayak water polo
Underwater hockey
Treehouses in your campgrounds
Working with local school district to create Healthy School yards
This should help get your ideas flowing so your agency can be considered a public health provider!
|
D-3
RECREATION PROGRAM PROVIDER
MINI-EXPO & "SNEAK PEEK"and
DISTRICT III MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Friday, November 5, 2010
9:30AM - 12:00PM
12:00 - 1:00PM
(round table discussion over lunch)
Upper Dublin Township
801 Loch Alsh Ave, Fort Washington, PA
D-2 HOLIDAY SOCIAL
Friday, December 10
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Coliseum, Camp Hill
The 2010 Holiday Social will be held at The Coliseum in Camp Hill. With games, bowling, food and friends, it will be a great time to kick back prior to the holiday rush. Thanks to the US Sports Institute for their assistance in sponsoring the luncheon. It's play time for grown-ups--we hope to see you there!
click here for more info
|
 43rd Annual PA Therapeutic Recreation Institute 2011
June 8-10, 2011 Harrisburg-Hershey Holiday Inn, Grantville, PA
Co-Chairs: Wendy Jo Hartsock & BJ Crownover
|
|
Seton Manor
Orwigsburg
December 3, 2010
Redstone Highlands
North Huntingdon
click here for the brochure
Lock Haven University presents
November 15, 2010
A Run In With Recreation Management and Sports Administration
Registration: 8:00 am
Fall Membership Meeting
November 17, 2010
Stuart Community Center
Carlisle, PA
Bob Griffith's Retirement Celebration
November 17, 2010
Hotel Carlisle
National Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam
December 6-8, 2010
Harrisburg East Holiday Inn
Harrisburg, PA
Regional Trails Training: November 3, 2010
South Mountain Trail Summit
Carlisle, PA
For more information, contact Kim Williams at 717-258-5771 ext. 205 November 5, 2010
Ca$hing in on Geocaching
PA Wilds Region For more information, contact Rosemary Adomites at (814) 226-8160 ext. 5 December 2, 2010
Northeastern Pennsylvania Trail Forum II
Scranton, PA
For more information, contact Colleen Carter at 570-963-6730
March 16, 2011
Laurel Highlands Trails Workshop
Ligonier, PA
For more information, contact Brad Clemenson at 814-659-3465
2011 Community Conservation Partnership Grant Workshops
January 6, 2011 South Central - Rachel Carson State Office Building, Harrisburg
January 11, 2011 Southeast - Bucks County Community College, Newtown
January 14, 2011 Southeast - Montgomery County Fire Academy, Conshohocken, PA
February 1, 2011 Southwest - Franklin Park Borough Activity Center,
Franklin Park Borough, PA
February 3, 2011 Northeast - Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke, PA
February 8, 2011 Northwest - Clarion University, Clarion, PA
February 10, 2011 North Central - Boalsburg Fire Company, Boalsburg, PA
The Open Application Period for DCNR C2P2 grants for all project types--planning, acquisiton and development-begins Monday, January 3, 2011 and will close at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2011.
To register, visit http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/calendar under the Workshops-Grants Calendar. In the event of inclement weather, please contact PRPS at (814) 234-4272, and/or check the workshop status on the DCNR Calendar at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/calendar, or PRPS website: http://www.prps.org/index.htm
Winter 2011 - Youth Sports Summit - January 19, 2011, York College - brochure will be available soon.
|
| PA Recreation and Park Society
2131 Sandy Drive
State College, Pennsylvania 16803-2283
PA Recreation and Park Society
814-234-4272
Fax: 814-234-5276
| |
