Serving Our Essential Cause.

At the conclusion of the NRPA Congress & Exposition in Phoenix, Ariz., I will be installed as the NRPA President at the Board of Trustees banquet. This is an honor that I could never have imagined when I began my park and recreation career, and I assure you I will work diligently on your behalf.

I have been well prepared to assume this mantle of leadership-elect for the past year, I have been able to learn firsthand from current NRPA President Bob Hall, as well as from NRPA Chairman Rip Wilkinson, about the many roles and responsibilities that I will have. I would like to thank Bob, Rip and the entire NRPA Board of Trustees for preparing me well for my year ahead.

As we convene this month in Phoenix I am overwhelmed to see how NRPA has grown. The NRPA Exhibit Hall will feature more exhibit booths and more companies than have ever appeared at an NRPA Congress. The attendance figures should also be near a record high. All of this shows me that not only is NRPA strong but that many of our members see attending an NRPA Congress as essential to their job.

I use the word "essential" because it is a word that is very important to the entire park and recreation field. How many times has park and recreation been described as a "non-essential" public service? This cannot be any further from the truth, yet it is a battle that I'm sure many of you face day to day in your community when fighting for effective funding sources for your programs and activities.

NRPA is leading the way to show the public that park and recreation is an essential service. Just last month I was joined on stage by U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher at a Heart n' Parks event in Arlington, Va. He told the large crowd that parks and recreation is essential to a healthy America. Our Benefits program has grown immensely over the years and has been at the fore-front of changing public perceptions. But we can only move forward with your help.

NRPA has so many programs that improve the lives of people across the country. This issue of Parks & Recreation is devoted to NRPA's National Programs agenda and its four focus areas: health and wellness, youth development, environmental stewardship, and advancing technology. As you read the main body of articles here you will see that there are so many programs that NRPA is offering that could benefit your agency. Health and wellness is essential to all of our lifestyles, and the public should know that a few hours in gym class for kids is not going to keep them fit. And an occasional walk of the dog isn't going to keep adults fit either.

But it is up to you in the park and recreation field to offer programs and activities that the public wants to participate in. NRPA offers a host of excellent National Programs that will go a long way toward providing the type of programming that will attract the public.

A healthy and fit population will mean lower health care costs, less absenteeism from work, and a less stress-filled life for so many, even those who are physically fit. Our services are essential, and I assure you I will work hard over the coming year to advance this cause to the public. Please join with me in this most important endeavor.

Please also let me take this opportunity to recognize graphic designer Ruth Bielobocky. Ruth's design of NRPA's National Programs logo placed her in Print magazine's prestigious Design Annual 2000. Ruth, who has won numerous awards in the past for her work done on NRPA's behalf, was selected from more than 32,000 individual entries. Congratulations, Ruth!

Alice L. Conkey President-Elect