Washington Recreation & Park Association
                        Newsletter
                   February 4, 2013
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official Thursday sponsor
2013 Annual WRPA 
Conference & Trade Show 
Section Meetings
Feb 13: Teen
Feb 15: KC Directors
Mar 12: Teen

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Employment Opportunities
WRPA Job Board

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Upcoming WRPA Executive Board Meetings

Mar. 8, 2013 - North Bend
April 17, 2013 - Vancouver
(general membership meeting)
 
The WRPA Executive Board meets four times a year

For more information about the WRPA Executive Board members, meeting agendas, district boundaries please visit our WRPA Executive Board pages.
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Higher Education Relations Committee (HERC) is dedicated to connecting students interested in Parks & Recreation to professionals currently working in the field.
Greetings! wrpa

The WRPA E-news is distributed twice a month to our total membership. Its our tool for providing timely news and information you need regarding current events, grants, training, and great ideas to add value to your work day.
Tuesday Pre-Conference Education & Events!
Ellen
Annual Conference & Trade Show
Vancouver Hilton: April 16-18, 2013   
Tuesday April 16 - Join senior leaders and managers from Washington and Oregon park and recreation agencies as we focus on trends, change, and how to meet the challenges of the future. Nationally-recognized trainer and consultant Ellen O'Sullivan will discuss effective models for change and will facilitate a peer-to-peer discussion of best practices from both states.
  • Bridge to the Future - Methods to Meet Park & Recreation Trends & Challenges.  ORPA/WRPA Joint Leadership Forum 
  • Student Summit
  • Golf Tournament
  • Pedal Bike Tour
  • Fort Vancouver National Historical Site Tour
  • Kayak Tour   
  • College Competitions! (free - registration not required) 
Separate registration required for all of the above: More / Register

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Click here for a direct link to the Hilton Hotel's dedicated WRPA Conference room reservation page with the discount code already entered. Discount rate is valid until March 17, 2013.
Legislative WRPA - What's Happening This Week

People Parks & Politics Leadership Summit Mike

Olympia Phoenix Inn: February 5, 2013
Michael Shellito, specializes in organizational development and planning for government agencies. View program / Register

Stay overnight and join us on Feb 6 at the Olympia Center for the debriefing before we head up to the capital for the WRPA Legislative Day on the Hill. (free event)  More / Register

View weekly legislative reports tailored to issues related to parks and recreation in Washington State.
 WRPA Legislative Agenda (PDF version


The Big Tent Outdoor Coalition is an umbrella organization formed to highlight the importance of our state's outdoor recreation sector to enhancing Washington's economy and its reputation for healthy and active living. On Monday January 28th the Coalition hosted its first annual rally day in Olympia. Special thanks to Olympia Parks & Recreation Department for their support at the event. Our lobbyist, Doug Levy, is highly credited for the formation of the coalition. More
Call for Award Nominations
Deadline February 21, 2013
Awards Banquet: Vancouver Hilton: Wednesday April 17, 2013
WRPA recognizes organizations and individuals (volunteers and professionals) for their contributions to the Park and Recreation field. WRPA also offers "Spotlight Awards" to recognize excellence in park and recreation projects, services and media. Nominate today! Key datesAward categories & nomination forms
Two Fantastic Facility Section Trainings
Facility Module CLASS Training, February 13 at the Tukwila Community Center. This training is free to WRPA members/$15 non-members. Facility Service Workshop, March 2 at the Maple Valley Lake Wilderness Lodge $45 members/$55 non-member and includes lunch. Register
Irrigation Training
9am-12noon Wednesday March 6, 2013 - Kirkand, WA
This is an introductory class to irrigation installation, repair 
and troubleshooting. $15 member/$25 non-member More / Register
Park Resources Award
The WRPA Park Resource Section recognizes outstanding parks field staff for going above and beyond their normal work responsibilities to make a positive contribution to their community.  This award is designed to recognize dedicated professionals who deserve recognition above and beyond. More
NFL Grants for Football Fields
A partnership between the National Football League (NFL) and Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) makes grants up to $200,000 grants for financial and technical assistance to improve the quality of football fields in under served areas of NFL market. Deadline is March 15, 2013. More
On the Move
Sarah Sandquist, Redmond, & Chad Harvell, CYSA, Pierce County contributed articles to the new NRPA "The Young Professional" publication specifically designed for young professionals and students. 
Free Playground Design Symposium
10:30am-1:00pm Wednesday, February 13 Seattle, WA
Playgrounds remain one of the primary venues where children are challenged to safely explore and expand their limits. Together, we will discuss the ways cable systems present the opportunity to develop modern, unique and wide-ranging play areas. More
WRPA Today - Quarterly Publication     
New editorial deadlines have been posted for the summer, fall and winter issues. Members are encouraged to submit photos and articles. If you are interested in joining the public relations editorial team please email Casey Stanley for information regarding committee scope and responsibilities. More 
SCORP Town Hall
Please share a story about how outdoor recreation opportunities have affected you and your family. There are great stories about the meaning and value of outdoor recreation in Washington.  If you have photographs that are part of your story, please send them in to scorp-photos@earthlink.net.  Please put "Story Photo" in the subject line. Visit the Town Hall
Call for Volunteers
2013 Westside Skillbuilder Committee
The WRPA Program and Teen Service Sections are seeking volunteers to assist in planning the 2013 Summer Skillbuilder. Meetings will begin in early February and Skillbuilder will be either the 1st or 2nd Saturday of June. Please contact Sarah Sandquist or Nate Robinson for more information.
National Legislative Forum
Have you registered yet for the 2013 National Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation? The early bird discount ends Feb. 8! NRPA urges you to unite with us at Legislative Forum to help ensure that the changes happening in Washington have a positive, rather than negative, effect on your agency and your community. The event takes place March 19-21 in Washington, D.C. More
WRPA is a 501c3 not-for-profit professional and public interest organization.  WRPA is dedicated to providing resources for the public and our members who create community through people parks and programs.  Thank your for your membership in WRPA.

 

Sincerely,

 


Brit Kramer, CPRP, CAE
Executive Director
Washington Recreation & Park Association