Like us on Facebook
                      		                            
PA Recreation and Park Society
   PRPS Weekly News
It is PRPS Election Time!  

The 2016 Board of Directors slate is forming. Get involved! Don't hesitate - run for office this year. 
  
Please consider stating your personal interest or nominate another individual whom you feel would be a good candidate and are able to accept the commitment.
       
The following positions on the PRPS Board of Directors are open for nominations: 

Director At Large - 2 positions open each are four- year terms; 4/2016 -  4/2020
Citizen Director - 1 position open for a two-year term; 4/2016 - 4/2018
Student Director - 1 position open for a one-year term; 4/2016 - 4/2017

We would like to have nominations by November 12th. 

To get involved and volunteer, nominate a fellow professional, or inquire about any position, please contact Karen Franck, Nominations Committee Chair
Plymouth Township Parks and Recreation Department by phone 
610-277-4646 or email kfranck@plymouthtownship.org.

Nominations are also being sought for the following Branch and District Committees for two-year terms, beginning at the 2016 Conference in March. To participate at the branch or district levels, please contact the respective Branch or District President. Click here to view the open positions.
Nominate the 2016 River of the Year
    
Conewango Creek
2015 PA River of the Year
The Nomination period is open until October 23, and will be followed by a public voting process to determine the winning waterway.

The winner of the River of the Year designation will receive a $10,000 leadership grant to help fund a year-round schedule of activities to celebrate the waterway and bring attention to Pennsylvania's rich natural resource heritage.

For more information about the River of the Year program, or to nominate a waterway, click here.

Sample Maintenance Operational Agreements
  
We are seeking sample Maintenance and/or Operation Agreements between municipal entities and partners for the maintenance, repair and/or operation of community park and recreation facilities, programs and services. If you have one to share, please send it to Tim Herd, herd@prps.org.

GOPA Webinar!

Bring Out the Best in your Winter Outdoor Programs: Implementing Best Practices
November 4th, 2015   1-2:00pm
 
Whether you're new to winter programming or just want to improve your current winter activities, this webinar focuses on best practices that will help to make your events safer and run smoother. Best practices, which are always recommended when planning outdoor programming, can be particularly crucial when scheduling an event in the winter since so many factors-from weather conditions to slippery terrain-can add to the challenges in planning and executing a safe program.  Learn from experienced partners about smart planning and creative ideas for winter programs.   Register now for this webinar!

Call for Articles - Winter Magazine
 

Our next magazine will be released in January and it will be an environmentally-themed issue. 

If you have an article to share, please send to eschnellbaugh@prps.org by December 1, 2015.

Thank you to all who submitted articles for the 80th Anniversary issue.
Good for You Newsletter
   
Keep up with the Goodness. Sign up for the seasonal newsletter for information, inspiration, and more on local parks & recreation in Pennsylvania.
Land and Water Conservation Fund Update

Last week one of our nation's most important pieces of legislation expired. The 50-year-old Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has supported more than 42,000 projects in 98% of the nation's counties. It is a smart and effective use of federal funds for all Americans.

While this is disappointing news, there are still opportunities to reauthorize the legislation, either attached as an amendment to another must-pass bill in December or introduced as a separate bill. City Parks Alliance and the bi-partisan Mayors for Parks Coalition will continue to advocate for LWCF reauthorization and full funding. 

Click here for a good summary of LWCF's status that appeared in E&E, the leading national news outlet for environmental policy issues.  
 Save the Date - More details will be available soon!falling_leaves_hdr.jpg
Upcoming PRPS/PTRS and Other Trainings
 

October 22, Cabela's, Hamburg, PA

Fall Membership Meeting 
November 19, PSECU, Harrisburg, PA
More details coming soon!

December 2-4, Celebration Hall, State College, PA

October 23 - Animal Assisted Therapy, Equiteam Support Services, Dallastown
October 29 - Understanding the Umbrella of Dementia: Practical Planning for Successful Programming, Masonic Village, Sewickley
November 6 - Managing Behavior in Recreation Therapy, Longwood at Oakmont, Verona
November 9 - Understanding the Umbrella of Dementia: Practical Planning for Successful Programming, York College-Alumni Hall, York
November 19 - Creating a Positive Vision for Leadership, Masonic Village, Elizabethtown
November 20 - Managing Behavior in Recreation Therapy, PRPS Office, State College
November 20 - Creating a Positive Vision for Leadership, Beaumont at Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr

DCNR Events
PA State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2014-2019
Webinars
October 14 - Local Parks and Recreation: Enhancing Close-to-Home Outdoor Recreation
October 21 - Tourism and Economic Development: Creating Opportunities for Community Prosperity
October 28 - Resource Management: Sustaining Natural Resources and Public Investment and PA's new five-year plan for Trail
To register for the webinars click here.

Grant Workshops
November 2 - Camp Hill Borough Building, Camp Hill
November 4 - Pine Community Center, Wexford
November 5 - Quality Inn, Franklin
November 12 - Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke
November 17 - Heritage Conservancy Office, Doylestown
November 18 - Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, State College
To register for a workshop click here.

Grant Webinars
January 21 - DCNR BRC Grant Funding for Community Recreation & Conservation Projects
February 11 - DCNR's Statewide and Regional Partnerships Grants Program

Conference News
For the conference registration fees, click here.
 
Vendor Opportunities
Reserve your space today!

We have many opportunities available. If you are interested in being a vendor, sponsor or advertiser at the 2016 Conference click here for more details. 

Sympathy
   
The brother of former PRPS staff member Wendy Jo Hartsock passed away on Saturday, October 3. Click here to view the obituary. Our thoughts and prayers to Wendy Jo and family.

PA Recreation & Park Society, Inc.
2131 Sandy Drive, State College, PA 16801
814-234-4272