Two words which ring true.

Thank you. Two words that we sometimes don't hear enough in our lives, let alone our profession. Well, I want you to know that's my first and foremost thought in having had the honor to serve you as NRPA President over the past year.

It seems like only yesterday I was giving my first remarks as your President at the Second General Session of the NRPA Congress in San Antonio, and now, my term of office is about to reach its conclusion. And what a very special year it has been.

Throughout this year I have traveled around North America. I have seen some of the most beautiful parts of the country. But, the best part of my travels was the opportunity to make new friends and renew old acquaintances. Throughout my travels I have been embraced with your warm hospitality and friendship, which I shall treasure.

I wish you could see through my eyes what I have seen. How hard our members are working and their firm conviction that public recreation makes a difference in people's lives. Many work for agencies that have experienced budget cuts and downsized staffs, yet they continue to "fight the good fight." I recall one professional telling me why he enjoyed his work, and it's a quote I won't soon forget. When I asked him, in spite of the budget challenges, why he still likes coming to work, his reply was, "I love my job. I sleep well at night and can't wait 'till the alarm clock rings." Now that's a person I want working on behalf of my cause!

And let me be clear that the success of public park and recreation is not just recreation professionals, but the citizen board members, park and recreation educators, and all who serve on park and recreation boards, as well as the general public. All of us must work together if we are to nurture our strength. Toward this end, NRPA is working diligently.

A Whole New World

During my term of office, NRPA has made many significant strides. First, the continuing mission of making the Ahrens NRPA Institute a reality. We have now broken ground on what I consider will be a whole new world for NRPA and for public recreation in America. We now will have roots which will grow stronger and stronger over time. I am hopeful you will all join me next summer in seeing the Ahrens NRPA Institute when it is completed.

Second, the development of NRPA's new Home Page, as well as the upcoming launching of NRPA's private network, will propel NRPA into orbit in the on-line world of more than 25 million Internet users. Our presence in this "new world" will be impressive. I encourage all of you to visit the NRPA Home Page (www.nrpa.org/nrpa) on a regular basis. I also encourage you to join with us in NRPA's new private network, where you can interact with your fellow NRPA colleagues and learn how to best serve the public.

Third, the development of the "Benefits of Parks & Recreation" training seminars. If public parks and recreation is to receive the financial funds needed to maximize the potential of our programs, then we all must be prepared to battle for these funds. This "Benefits" training is absolutely vital for all NRPA members, and I encourage all of you to as president of the Maryland Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) and as chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Region and has served on the NRPA Board of Trustees. He was also a National Collegiate (NCAA) Boxing Champion in 1951 and 1952 and was captain of the University of Minnesota boxing team in 1952.

Margaret McCormick, director of recreation and leisure services for the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma, retired this past June. Ms. McCormick, who came to Tacoma's park system in 1985, supervised a department of 52 full-time and 350 part-time staff. She also has worked in recreation administration in Vancouver (WA); Newport (OR) and at Coachella Valley (CA) Park and Recreation District.

Ms. McCormick has been active in NRPA and the Washington Recreation and Park Association (WRPA) for many years and recently was elected a trustee of NRPA. She received NRPA's Professional Award in 1994 and was named a WRPA Honor Award Fellow in 1990. She served as president of the NRPA Regional Council, was on the Board of Directors for the APRS, and is a past president of WRPA.