Perspectives: making a life by giving: what it means to give back through parks and recreation.

I've been reflecting on the past year, on my time as a member of NRPA on the Board of Trustees and the fact that the 2006 NRPA Congress & Exposition in Seatfie, Wash., will bring to a close my term as president of NRPA.

However, just because my term is ending doesn't mean the dedication ends for others. The dreams and work of so many in this association from across the country for so many years--dreams that have become the current vision for the future of NRPA and public parks and recreation--will continue to evolve.

I came across a quote in our local community theater newsletter that brought focus to my thoughts. "You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give." This message rings true for all of us.

I thought back to my college advisor and mentor, Dr. LaVernia Jorgensen (Dr. J.), at the University of North Dakota, an NRPA member since 1965. She told me early on that she would teach me how to drink coffee and buy lunch. Dr. J also taught me that I wouldn't get rich in parks and recreation with money, but rich in many other ways. She taught me how to develop and maintain relationships, both personally and professionally. She taught me about giving back to what has been given to me--it was really about making a life.

Don Jolly (NRPA President, 1990, from Salina, Kan.) inspired me as a young professional in 1978 to be sincere about the field, work hard and give back whenever I could. He was saying the same thing--to have a real life I needed to give personally and professionally to create a balance between home, faith, school, play and work.

I have marveled at pioneers in the field, both citizens and professionals who saw the needs of the public at large and a better association by coming together in 1965. Those citizens and professionals who built NRPA gave back to what they had received.

Since 1995, my first year on the Board of Trustees, I have learned that giving back to the field is more than representing a region, state, section or branch. It is serving the greater good of the overall organization with citizens and professionals who are dedicated and committed to different roles.

The opportunity to serve as president is a humbling experience. I hope all past and present members of the Board of Trustees feel that their time served was memorable.

We will continue to move forward to realize our visions by taking action and making great things happen at NRPA. The association is poised to be a dynamic 21st century national organization, for not only the present professional and citizen members, but for those who will join in the future.

For the young professionals in the field--engage in carrying forward a vision for public parks and recreation. Your opportunities are many. To citizens--carry forward the vision and advocate for public parks and recreation by thinking nationally and acting locally.

Be greater and richer for what you give.

Steve Neu, NRPA President