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PA Recreation and Park Society
   PRPS Weekly News
2016 Election Reminder - Deadline by 11/12
 
Please consider stating your personal interest or nominate another individual whom you feel would be a good candidate and is able to accept the time commitment.
       
The following positions on the PRPS Board of Directors are open for nominations: 

Director At Large - 2 positions open for 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 

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 sought for Branch and District Committees for two-year terms, beginning at the 2016 Conference in March. To participate at the branch or district level, please contact the respective Branch or District President. Click here to view the open positions.
 
Students Scholarships Available

greyscale-thinking-girl.jpg The Delores Andy, John H. Jones Memorial, Larry G. Williamson, and Robert Crawford Memorial Scholarships are generously contributed funds allowing four students to attend the PA Recreation & Park Society's 69th Annual State Conference FREE of charge.
  
To view and download the scholarship qualifications and applications, click here.
  
The filing deadline is February 12, 2016.
2016 PA Trail of the Year Deadline extended!
Deadline: November 27, 2015
The Trails Advisory Committee is currently accepting nominations for the 2016 Pennsylvania Trail of the Year. The Trail of the Year will be recognized by:
  • Official news release by the PA Trails Advisory Committee and DCNR
  • Commemorative poster for statewide distribution
  • Digital "badge" for your website
  • Promotion on ExplorePAtrails.com
  • Grant for educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection on the trail

Click here to submit your nomination.

Register Today for the Fall Membership Meeting
Co-Sponsored by George Ely Associates Inc., and Mid-Atlantic Products, Inc.
      
orange-leaves-tree.jpgDon't miss our upcoming Fall Membership Meeting. The fall meeting will be held Wednesday, November 18 at PSECU Headquarters in Harrisburg. We will begin with a business meeting followed by the general session with SWELL - Making "Good for You, Good for All" Work for You. Join us after lunch to learn more about financial literacy with PSECU. 

Click here to register! For the flyer, click here.

If you are interested in sponsoring the meeting, please contact Nicole Lynd at nlynd@prps.org.

Do you have a certain vendor you would like to see at our conference?
The 2016 PRPS Exhibit Conference Committee is seeking your help in identifying potential vendors to involve with the 2016 Conference to be held March 13-16, 2016 at Seven Springs. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey by November 25, 2015. Click here to take the survey.

Conference News 

We have some exciting speakers to announce and a special survivor show guest coming to the 2016 conference. Keynote Speaker/Pittsburgh Penguins Alumnus Bryan Trottier; CBS Survivor Contestant Dolly Neely; and Para-Olmypic Gold Medalist in Sled Hockey Dan McCoy. Greg O'Loughlin, Founder & Partner of SWELL will be presenting the Good for You/Good for PA campaign, updates on the eToolkit, and sharing examples from Park and Recreation Departments. 
 
New this year: the App will feature a photo scavenger hunt. Throughout the conference there will be Hidden Idols to find. Get ready; this will be a very interactive conference!
 
Here are more session highlights:
  • Keys to Planning a Successful Concession Operation
  • Promoting Healthy Living Through Outdoor Connections
  • Surviving Cultural Change
  • Tips for Managing Turfgrass Areas
  • Playground Safety for Summer Staff
Citizens & Friends Day
Citizens and Friends Day on the Mountain is designed to focus on the needs and interests of Park and Recreation Board Committee members and other interested volunteers. This one-day event will be held Sunday, March 13. The registration fee is $20 and includes admission to our Exhibit Hall. Click here for more details. 

Conference Registration Fees
For conference registration fees, click here.
 
Vendor Opportunities
Reserve your space early! If you are interested in being a vendor, sponsor or advertiser at the 2016 Conference click here for details. 

winter_landscape.jpg
District News
D2 Winter Workshop    
January 27th, 2016
York College of Pennsylvania
8:30 am - 2:30 pm
 
Agenda: 
  • 9am-9:45:District 2 Business Meeting
  • 10-12 Session 1: Employee Handbooks, I9's and Personnel Files
  • 12-1pm Lunch: Networking Opportunity with Students
  • 1-2:30pm Session 2: Social Media Roundtable

Distict 1 Challenge Fundraiser

This fundraiser will be held at the PRPS Conference. For more details on this fundraiser, click here. 

 

Tag your photos on Instagram #FALLinPA

It's that time of year and PA's local parks are a perfect place to show off the vibrant colors & unique happenings of the Fall season. Share some of your best pics by tagging us on Instagram #FALLinPA.


Grant Workshops
DCNR new logo 
Register today for the 2016 Recreation and Conservation project grant workshops. The workshops will include important information on BRC's new selection criteria/ranking guidelines, grant program eligibility requirements, and how to file competitive applications for the 2016 grant program, which opens January 20, 2016.
 
These free in-person presentations are being offered at six locations across Pennsylvania.  Community leaders, municipal officials, consultants, land trusts, volunteer board members, trail managers, and park and recreation professionals are strongly encouraged to attend. 
 
Pre-registration is required for the workshops.

Pennsylvania Recreation & Parks Magazine
 
The deadline for the winter 2016 PRPS magazine is December 1, 2015. This magazine will be an environmentally-themed issue. If you are interested in submitting an article, please contact eschnellbaugh@prps.org.
Therapeutic Recreation Institute Call for Proposals
      
The 2016 TRI session proposal form is now available. The proposal submission deadline is January 31, 2016. 

The Therapeutic Recreation Institute will be held on May 31-June 3, 2016 at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel in Lancaster, PA. The theme is TRI Voice of YOUR Future.

Recognition & Awards Program Coming Soon
Watch for details on the awards criteria and nomination form. Premiering this year: Agency of the Year, which will recognize one outstanding operation. Will it be yours? 

2016 Get Outdoors PA Mini-Grants   
Be eligible: Become a Get Outdoors PA Community Partner
 
The second Get Outdoors PA Mini-Grant Program will open in early 2016. Grants of $1,500-$3,000 will fund equipment and training related to outdoor programming.  Some match is required.  Applicants must be Get Outdoors PA Community Partners approved in 2015 or earlier and be a local government entity or 501c-3 non-profit. The program is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. If you're not currently a Community Partner, apply online today!
Upcoming PRPS/PTRS Trainings
 

November 18, PSECU, Harrisburg, PA

Creating a Positive Vision for Leadership - Register Now!
November 19, Masonic Village, Elizabethtown
November 20, Beaumont at Bryn Mawr

December 2-4, Celebration Hall, State College
 
November 6 - Managing Behavior in Recreation Therapy, Longwood at Oakmont, Verona (CANCELLED)
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 Calendar of Events DCNR new logo
For a listing of DCNR events click here.
PA Recreation & Park Society, Inc.
2131 Sandy Drive, State College, PA 16801
814-234-4272