Creating community through people, parks and programs: park and recreation agencies need to remind everyone of their importance. .Park and recreation agencies throughout the country are being acutely challenged by our economic situation. In the past, we've been known for being resourceful re·source·ful adj. Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations. re·source  ful·ly adv. , creative and competent. Now isn't the time to change our image! While we can't provide miracles to overcome budget deficits, we can adjust, identify and communicate the importance of parks and recreation in creating community through people, parks and programs. The demand for an action plan has increased, as budget cuts have accelerated the loss of programs and services in many park and recreation departments. An action plan can help park and recreation agencies position themselves as vital components in their communities. An action plan can also be an important tool in making sure the role of parks and recreation in creating community is understood by policy makers and the public. Park and recreation professionals in California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). have dramatically changed how they do business and how they position their profession to be at the table when critical issues are framed and decisions are made. In 1999, the California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS CPRS Canadian Public Relations Society CPRS Computerized Patient Record System CPRS California Park and Recreation Society CPRS Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale CPRS Center for Political Research and Studies (Cairo University) ) launched the VIP (Vision, Insight and Planning) Project with the release of a strategic action plan for the profession called "Creating Community in the 21st Century." The VIP plan provides a map for the profession's sustainability and future as a leader in creating community. The VIP plan could reposition the profession of parks and recreation, but it must reflect the values and beliefs of our umbrella organization
An umbrella organization is an association of (often related, industry-specific) institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or . CPRS's membership includes: * Commercial and for-profit organizations that provide us and the public with products and services. * Natural resource agencies that provide stewardship stewardship the occupation of being a steward or custodian. Referring to animals it implies the caring sort of relationship based on an acceptance of the need to include the rights of animals in overall plans to maintain financial viability. for our cherished lands and waters. * Therapeutic recreation agencies that provide health care services. * Community colleges and universities that prepare future professionals. * Adult education providers that offer lifelong learning Lifelong learning is the concept that "It's never too soon or too late for learning", a philosophy that has taken root in a whole host of different organisations. Lifelong learning is attitudinal; that one can and should be open to new ideas, decisions, skills or behaviors. opportunities. * Park professionals who preserve the natural environment, enhance safety and protect our valuable resource investment. * Special districts and local recreation agencies that provide parks and recreation opportunities to local residents. * Armed forces leaders who provide recreation services for our personnel around the world. * Students who are the professionals of the future. * Citizen volunteers who provide many direct services, and others. While there have been previous park and recreation marketing programs, such as "Life. Be In It" and "Recreation--Life's Necessity," "Creating Community in the 21st Century" strategically brings together all of the parks and recreation profession under a common vision. This is more than a marketing program promoting the profession. Key stakeholders Stakeholders All parties that have an interest, financial or otherwise, in a firm-stockholders, creditors, bondholders, employees, customers, management, the community, and the government. in the parks and recreation profession developed this strategic plan with in-depth participation from CPRS members, an economist, state and national leaders, and the preparation included a trend analysis. At the core of the plan are the profession's vision and values, mission areas, implementation strategies and core competencies A core competency is something that a firm can do well and that meets the following three conditions specified by Hamel and Prahalad (1990):
Core competencies are the special skills and abilities of parks and recreation professionals. To compete in an ever-changing market, we must have the skills needed to deliver services in the 21st century. Success in this millennium will demand professionals who understand and can articulate articulate /ar·tic·u·late/ (ahr-tik´u-lat) 1. to pronounce clearly and distinctly. 2. to make speech sounds by manipulation of the vocal organs. 3. to express in coherent verbal form. 4. our role in creating community. These are men and women who can master the political process to achieve their goals and are leaders in their communities who have compassion compassion, n a profound awareness of another's suffering coupled with a desire to alleviate that suffering. for people. We expect these professionals to respond and react to changes and trends, and to be trendsetters. They're innovative professionals who have relevant, finely honed skills and can broker resources to create coalitions. As the state association, CPRS has taken a strong leadership role in educating professionals about the plan and its potential. Several strategic initiatives have been launched in California as a result, including a statewide public relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most plan, realignment re·a·lign tr.v. re·a·ligned, re·a·lign·ing, re·a·ligns 1. To put back into proper order or alignment. 2. To make new groupings of or working arrangements between. of the state awards program, three benchmarking projects and development of new training programs in line with the core competencies. Local agencies that have adopted the plan's vision, mission, values and implementation strategies have increased partnerships, taken less budget hits (and, in one case, a budget increase even in these difficult times), gained increased media attention and attracted high-quality candidates for open positions. For more information about this program, go to www.cprs.org. A final thought: During these financially critical times, it's imperative that you maintain your state and NRPA NRPA National Recreation and Park Association NRPA Natural Resources Protective Association (Staten Island, NY) NRPA Niagara Regional Police Association (Canada) NRPA National Rifle and Pistol Association memberships. NRPA continues to provide crucial training programs, information, networking opportunities and advocacy services, to mention only a few of the association's offerings. Be creative and resourceful and find ways to maintain your membership--NRPA can't be successful without you! |
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