Youth Sports Summit Review 

LERN/PRPS Courses 

PRPS is excited to announce a new partnership with Learning Resources Network (LERN) involving online training and education courses.  LERN offers a variety of training classes for professionals on many different topics.  Most courses can be taken as part of a certificate program or individually.  The unique online courses allow you to choose when you participate!  Lectures, lessons, and comments are all done online by you at your own convenience.  Courses are taught by highly qualified professionals and professors from around the globe.  Ever wanted to take a class on Social Media?  How about Greening your workplace? Or wanted to take some business courses, but just can't fit it into your schedule?  Well now is your chance to learn valuable information all on your own timetable.  LERN also offers 1.0 CEU per month long course taken and completed! 

So you might be asking yourself how PRPS fits into this equation.  Well it's pretty simple really; PRPS has contracted to handle advertising of the courses and course registration in return for half the amount of each registration.  So not only will you be learning new valuable information from respected instructors and possibly earning 1.0 CEU, you'll also be supporting PRPS who in turn supports you!  Sounds like a win, win situation all around to me.  So click on the link below to see the different course offerings and register today!  Any questions please contact Jeremy Bean, Training Coordinator at jbean@prps.org or call 814-234-4272.

Click here for more information! 

"The collaboration with LERN is a wonderful opportunity for PRPS members. Over the past 20 years as a college continuing educator, I have been a proponent of this excellent organization as well as had my 3 colleges become LERN members. I find this membership to be very valuable. Whether a week-long training institute (best training I ever attanded) or their written materials, this organization is top-notch. Staff are extremely easy to work with. I completed their online business certificate in social media last month and am waiting for my 3 c.e.u.s to apply to my certifification renewal in March. I'm also enrolled in their Certified Program Planner certificate to complete this winter."

Reid Smalley, Dean of Workforce Development, Continuing Education, & Community Services

Middlesex Community College

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Member News 

The Grandmother of Debra Hatley, passed away in early January 2011. 

Last month we shared brief information regarding the death of Fred Coombs.  Here is the full Obituary.

Fred Morton Coombs April 18, 1911 - December 22, 2010 Fred M. Coombs, age 99, of State College passed away peacefully with his wife and son by his side at the Fairways at Brookline. Fred was born in Morgantown, W.Va. Education was very important to Fred. He attended West Virginia University and received a B.S. degree in Physical Education in 1933. He was a graduate of the National Recreation School in N.Y.C. and earned his Master of Education degree (1935) and Doctor of Education degree (1957) from New York University. He was a Veteran of WWII, where he served his country with the rank of Lt. Colonel in the First Special Service Force, which was a predecessor of today's Special Forces. Fred came to Penn State University in 1946 when he was appointed as Chairman of Recreation & Park Curriculum, and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1972. Fred was a natural teacher and took great interest in the success of his students. Prior to Penn State, he served as Director of Health & Physical Education for the Boone County Schools, W. Va. and was Director of Recreation in Greenwich, Conn. In 2000, Fred was inducted into the West Virginia University School of Physical Education Hall of Fame, and he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Pennsylvania State University. His national accomplishments include service on the Professional Development Committee of the American Recreation Society, from which came the Recreation Education Curriculum Accreditation Program. He served as co-chairman of the National Recreation and Park Association's National Congress in Philadelphia. His professional services were recognized at the 1971 National Congress in Houston where he received the American Park and Recreation Society Distinguished Fellow Award. That particular honor was also noted by the President of the United States, Richard Nixon. Fred also believed strongly in his community and was involved in organizations where he played a role in the planning and development of many recreational facilities in the area, including Stone Valley and Shaver's Creek Environmental Center. He also led efforts to convince the University to build the first artificial ice skating rink at University Park. For these efforts and more, he earned the nickname "Mr. Recreation". Fred lived his 99 years to the fullest and encouraged others to do the same. An avid outdoors man, Fred enjoyed many activities including sailing, fishing, skiing and photography. Fred was a member of the Elks Country Club and Centre Hills Country Club. An avid golfer, he's best known for "shooting his age" for several years beginning at age 75. One of his many legacies is the Anita N. and Fred M. Coombs scholarship in the Professional Golf Management Program at Penn State. Upon his retirement, Fred started a vineyard near Colyer Lake, and went on to win numerous awards for his wine making through the American Wine Society. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 67 years, Anita Nokleby Coombs; his daughter, Maryann Latham (Jan Morin), of Mammoth Lakes, Calif.; his son, Thomas Coombs (Kristen Hefkin), of State College; his grandson, C. David Coombs, of Hood River, Ore; his granddaughter, Andrea Wildy (Martin Wildy), of State College; and a great-grandson, Aidan Wildy. Fred will be cremated in accordance with his wishes. Services and interment will be private. A memorial service celebrating Fred's life will be held in the Spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fred & Ann Coombs Fund for Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, 2643 Gateway Drive, State College, PA 16801 or The Fred and Ann Coombs Library at the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society, 2131 Sandy Drive, State College, PA (814) 234-4272. Arrangements by Koch Funeral Home, State College.

Tips of the Trade 

Yours in Training, Jeremy Bean PRPS Training Coordinator

 

Winter is a great time of year to focus on those soft skills that can make us great leaders and employee's.  Often during our busy times we are so focused on the tasks at hands that we lose site of the process and those soft skills that really lead to success.  Check out the suggestions below from The Hiring Site on feedback and take some time to think about how you might implement this now and during the busy season!

Say This, Not That: 5 Ways to Give Feedback That Gets Results.

Ah, the awkward conversation. Much like death and taxes, the awkward conversation is something people will do anything to avoid.

...which is perhaps why so many managers are so poor at giving feedback: rather than have a potentially uncomfortable conversation about what their employee needs to improve upon, they avoid it completely. But giving feedback is a crucial skill that every manager needs to practice (in order to get better at giving it). After all, the only way you can expect your employees to get better at what they do is to give them constructive, candid and timely feedback. But, again, giving feedback is a skill that requires practice...and carefully chosen words.

Click here for the Five Tips for What to Say (and What Not to Say) When Giving Feedback

43rd Annual PA Therapeutic Recreation Institute

Student Scholarships

Filing Deadline is February 18, 2011

John H. Jones Memorial Scholarship consists of registration, meals, and lodging at the Annual Conference

Robert W. Crawford Memorial Scholarship consists of registration, meals, and lodging at the Annual Conference, plus a $500 scholarship

Click here for the applications!