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PA Recreation and Park Society
  
PRPS Weekly News
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In the News! 

At the request of the City Parks Alliance, we were able to submit a guest post on the PA Urban Parks and Recreation Alliance on their blog.
 

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PRPS Recognition & Awards Program Available Online

The 2016 Recognition and Awards forms are available on the PRPS website. Nominations are due January 15, 2016, but don't wait that long. You can submit your nominations any time.   
 
New Award for 2016!
The Agency of the Year Award is a new category for 2016.  This award will recognize exemplary accomplishments in positioning parks and recreation as an essential public service. The municipal park, recreation and/or therapeutic and leisure service agency to be honored can be from anywhere in Pennsylvania regardless of size or level of resources. 

More information on the 2016 Awards Program and links to the nomination forms can be found at http://prps.org/development/development-awards.html 
How to split wood and influence people
Or: What I've learned from doing both
by Tim Herd, CPRE

1. Start with what's manageable.
When a 98-year-old oak fell in my field, I first had to cut it into logs before I could reduce it to firewood.
  • The best route to influencing people is to first establish and manage positive personal relationships.
 2. Leverage your efforts.
The simple tools of a wedge and a maul exert much more power than I can with my bare hands.
  • Partnering with like-minded individuals in purposeful actions creates clout where it counts.
Click here to continue reading
Vendor Marketing Opportunities

It's that time of year...we have started assigning booths. There are still booths available. Reserve your space today. If you can't attend this year we have other opportunities available, such as sponsoring, advertising in the conference registration or program guide. Something new being offered is advertising on the App. More details are coming soon for the App. Click here to download the vendor marketing opportunities brochure and sign up today.

Voting has begun for 2016 River of the Year

Since 1983, DCNR has designated a River of the Year to elevate public awareness of specific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements. In partnership with the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, DCNR accepted nominations for the 2016 River of the Year from nonprofit organizations during October.

The selected nominees for 2016 River of the Year include Kiski-Conemaugh River, Lackawanna River, Lehigh River, Ohio River and Susquehanna River - North Branch. Public voting is open from November 13 to December 14.
Click here to vote for your favorite Pennsylvania river. 

Therapeutic Recreation Institute Call for Proposals
      
The 2016 TRI session proposal form is  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 "The VOICE of YOUR Future."

District Events
Distict 1 
Challenge Fundraiser
This fundraiser will be held at the PRPS Conference. For more details on this fundraiser, click here. 

District 2 Winter Workshop    
January 27th, 2016 - York College of PA
8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Agenda: 
  • 9:00 am - 9:45 am District 2: Business Meeting
  • 10:00 am -12:00 pm Session 1: Employee Handbooks, I9's and Personnel Files
  • 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch: Networking Opportunity with Students
  • 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Session 2: Social Media Roundtable
District 3
Recreation Program & Mini Expo
December 11, 2015 - Horsham, PA
Click here for more details and to register.

Ski & Snowboarding Socials/Meeting
January 13, 2016 - Shawnee Mountain
January 27, 2016 - Blue Mountain
February 9, 2016 - Jack Frost Mountain
Click here for more details and to register. 
Coming soon...a second Mini-Grant will be available 
  
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!
PA Recreation & Park Society, Inc.
2131 Sandy Drive, State College, PA 16801
814-234-4272