When Citizens Give ...We as citizens contribute a lot to the parks and recreation movement. We give our time, talents, energy, and resources. We really make a difference in the quality of many important lives. We do so much and yet, there is still so much more to do. A colleague of ours came from South Africa South Africa, Afrikaans Suid-Afrika, officially Republic of South Africa, republic (2005 est. pop. 44,344,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. , on her own finances, to the 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 Congress in Phoenix because she believes it is her responsibility to bring the "benefits of parks and recreation" message to her government so that they can see the need to provide quality recreation programming for children and families in the local communities. I asked her why is it her responsibility to take this on and she replied, "Because I see the needs and if not me, then who else will do what needs to be done"? Her giving is making a difference to an entire continent. Now that is committed giving! Many of our state CBM CBM Commodore Business Machines CBM Coalbed Methane CBM Christoffel Blindenmission CBM Condition Based Maintenance CBM Confidence-Building Measures CBM Curriculum Based Measurement (education) CBM Cubic Meter branches are really struggling. We are trying to build active CBM branches in every state as well as strengthen our national CBM Board of Directors. Participation, communication, and financial support are critical. I have been moved by the generosity Generosity See also Aid, Organizational; Kindness. Abbé Constantin self-sacrificing priest; curé of Longueral. [Fr. Lit.: The Abbé Constantin, Walsh Modern, 105] Amelia takes interest in Paul. [Br. Lit. of corporate as well as citizen and professional contributions toward local, state, regional, and national efforts. People give to causes they believe in. People support organizations they are committed to. Giving can only enhance the movement of parks and recreation. Look around you. Many of the open spaces we enjoy are gifts to the communities in which we live. Most parks and recreation departments are grossly under-funded under-funded adj to be under-funded [organization] → ne pas être doté(e) de fonds suffisants under-funded adj → insufficientemente sovvenzionato/a in this country. "Friends" groups and others have been critical in sustaining volunteer work efforts as well as obtaining non-profit grant funding for a variety of projects. Many of our systems would not be the same without the private citizens and corporate benefactors offering supplemental funding when budget cuts threaten to close our gates. Those states that enjoy the stability of having park districts do so through citizen driven legislative efforts and funding. Many of the ballot initiatives in our communities and states do not survive except through citizen driven motivation, manpower, and funding. Our time, talents, and financial contributions are consistently needed to ensure the quality of life that we want everyone to enjoy. We have much to contribute. What will you give? Take a "shut-in shut-in n. A person confined indoors by illness or disability. adj. 1. Confined to a home or hospital, as by illness. 2. Disposed to avoid social contact; excessively withdrawn or introverted. " with special needs for an outing to the park. Use the opportunity to show off your barrier free trails and other special accessible features. Volunteer to help at your local recreation or community center or with clean-up projects. Donate toys and games to youth centers. Introduce an older friend to the fun and resources available at the local senior center. Sponsor some scholarships for kids in your community who wish to attend the recreation programs and events. Sponsor a college student as an intern intern /in·tern/ (in´tern) a medical graduate serving in a hospital preparatory to being licensed to practice medicine. in·tern or in·terne n. or volunteer your time to your department or state association. Offer to help recruit citizen members for your statewide organization. Read-up on current literature and legislation in your field and pass it along. Keep your state and local officials supplied with up-to-date information that comes your way. Adopt a park or a program. Sponsor an event or an item on the budget. Teach a class or workshop session in your community. Offer to update your agency or state organization's website. There is plenty of work for ALL OF US to do! Give a generous financial contribution to the NRPA Annual Fund and your state association's Annual Fund. Do you enjoy the annual Bob Arntz Symposium symposium In ancient Greece, an aristocratic banquet at which men met to discuss philosophical and political issues and recite poetry. It began as a warrior feast. Rooms were designed specifically for the proceedings. for Citizens at the annual NRPA Congress? Quality programming like that is not free. Make a donation to the Bob Arntz Fund for the continuance The adjournment or postponement of an action pending in a court to a later date of the same or another session of the court, granted by a court in response to a motion made by a party to a lawsuit. of high quality citizen education. Consider setting up a perpetual PERPETUAL. That which is to last without limitation as to time; as, a perpetual statute, which is one without limit as to time, although not expressed to be so. gift. Leave a living legacy. Give a gift in honor As a verb, to accept a bill of exchange, or to pay a note, check, or accepted bill, at maturity. To pay or to accept and pay, or, where a credit so engages, to purchase or discount a draft complying with the terms of the draft. or memory of someone special. Financial gifts of ANY size really make a difference. Many of the programs, scholarships, and other special needs of our organization would cease to exist without your much needed financial help. Do something! Make the commitment to give today. You will help much more than you know. Discover the benefits when you give to parks and recreation. |
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