Meet the challenge: get involved.

Since my last column more than 100 days have passed, and many things have happened which will effect NRPA, including the November election results. Did you predict the outcome? More on that later. I don't like to dwell on the past when there are so many opportunities that lie before us, but there are a few items I need to mention.

First, "hats off" to all who made the National Congress in Minneapolis a tremendous educational success. There are too many people to mention individually but thank you to the NRPA staff, Congress Program Committee, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Department and Host Committee, educational session speakers, Congress delegates, and the record number of exhibitors. Our educational session attendance was the highest ever in spite of the short sleeve weather and the lure of countless other park and recreation attractions throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. The delegate attendance in the exhibit hall was appreciated and noted on many of the exhibitor evaluations.

Without your support of the Congress, NRPA cannot continue to attract record numbers of exhibitors. Without an excellent educational program you, the delegates, will not attend. Finally, without the delegates, the exhibitors will look for other ways to market their products. Point being, we are all in this together. Remember to thank the congress exhibitors for their support of NRPA and your state affiliate. The next issue of P&R will include NRPA's "Buyers Guide." Save this guide and refer to it when considering your agency purchases.

The second thank you goes to the NRPA National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) Executive Committee which it has been my pleasure to chair for the past four years. The current NPSI Executive Committee consists of chair Monty Christiansen, and his committee members, Fran Wallach, Teri Hendy, Donna Thompson, Mary Lou Iverson, and Larry Steingraber. Through volunteer efforts, the committee has received the National Certification Board approval of NPSI's training program. This program certifies public playground safety inspectors, and to date there are nearly 200 individuals with this specialized certification. This program benefits children, the playground industry, agencies which operate public playgrounds, and the individual program participants. This program has evolved through the efforts of more than forty volunteers and some significant corporate contributions.

A Challenge to You

The NRPA Aquatic Section was the first member of the NRPA family to accomplish this feat, and I also want to acknowledge and thank them for the timely development of the Aquatic Facility Operations Certification Course. I challenge you to identify and develop the next AFO or NPSI certification program. Contact Pat Harden, professional development trustee committee chair, with your ideas. These programs represent what NRPA can accomplish if we bring individuals together who are committed to a common cause.

The last comment I would like to make on developments over the past three months is related to the implementation of the Vision 2000 Plan and Mission Statement. You will continue to hear and read about NRPA, i many successes during the implementation plan's strategies and actions. By the time you read this all three task forces created by the Vision 2000 Plan will have met during the NRPA mid-year meeting in Washington D.C.(*)

On the surface, each Vision, 2000 Plan strategy and action item is worthy of your support. I'm encouraged by the membership's enthusiasm for the plan but concerned about the possibility that some members will sit back and do nothing. I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about the other guy. The one who supports our vision and mission but is too busy to get involved at the state, regional or national level. Now does this found like you? Are you too busy with local issues? Or do you just want someone else to do it? I always seem to be requesting your support and commitment. We need it. You are important.

This brings me back to my opening comment on the November election. The results of this election have been tagged with various headlines to mark the beginning or end of some monumental event or era. I see this election as the sound of the bell beginning the next round of our efforts to improve the quality of life for all people.

My challenge to you is: Don't be a passive spectator or a couch potato. Be ready to enter the ring and support NRPA's leadership efforts. Remember, our mission transcends "Beyond Fun and Games." (*) Three new Vision 2000 task forces are addressing issues: NRPA and the Environment, chaired by Chris Jarvi; Coalitions and Partnerships, chaired by Ed Koenemann; and Increasing Multi-Cultural Opportunities, co-chaired by CeEtta Crayton and Joe O'Neil. Please contact these chairs with your questions, thoughts and concerns. They could use your input.