Your response has been great.

Your response to the support network for parks and recreation through the benefits approach has been overwhelming. Hundreds of you have taken a leadership role by stepping forward with a commitment. While visiting state and regional conferences, I have seen your dedication to our association, not only by signing pledge forms, but through your outstanding communication skills and enthusiasm. If you have already returned your pledge form. Thank You! If you haven't done so yet, there is still time to come aboard. Contact me at: 39()0 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 500, Tallahassee, Florida 32399; e-mail address is mainella_f@ ngw.dep.state.fl.us or fax number 904 488-8442. We will get a pledge form out to you immediately.

It has been exciting to see the overwhelming response across the nation. In addition to the enthusiasm at conferences, many of you have sent outstanding material to me on your successes. I look forward to receiving more success stories from the rest of you who have pledged. Later this year we will be able to share these achievements at Congress in Salt Lake City.

It's important that you hear what your fellow association members are doing across the country. At the upcoming Congress, take time to network with others to see what is being done. The state of Utah is going to give all of its efforts so that we see the benefits of being in Utah and all the opportunities that our Congress provides, educationally and socially, for each of us. I hope I will have a chance to see all of you there.

Also, let me update you on what NRPA is doing to find better ways to serve and benefit you. To assist, a number of task forces have been appointed this year and are going to begin their work and continue into next year.

1. Needs Assessment Task Force is chaired by Trustee Dr. Ted Flickinger from Illinois. As many of you remember, a number of years ago we did such an assessment and it is again time for us to know how we meet your needs.

2. The Board Representation Task Force is co-chaired by trustee Dave Lose and Past Trustee Bill Nelson. This is an important task force that looks at how our Board of Trustees can be organized to better benefit you and the different interests that are served by NRPA. Experts in association management will be consulted in this effort.

3. The Benefits Task Force is chaired by Trustee Dave Clark. The charge of this task force is to keep the benefits approach moving forward through the accomplishment of several important projects. Some goals for the Benefits Task Force are to: a) organize a Benefits School (proposed in Florida) in partnership with the Regional Council and State Affiliates; b) create several "Benefits are Endless...[TM]" public service announcements and update the benefits video; c) develop two new benefits training modules for the benefits workshops; d) publish an abridged version of the Benefits Resource Guidebook; and e) develop a white paper to reflect the future plan of benefit efforts so NRPA can be most effective.

4. The Citizen Task Force, chaired by Trustee Earl Groves, and the Partnerships and Coalition Task Force, chaired by Trustee Judith Anderson, are both near completing their work. We now have displays at conferences; i.e., National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, etc. Guidelines for more partnerships and other coalitions have been developed. Our Citizen Task Force has helped us to enhance further citizen involvement. As the future of our support network, citizen recruitment is the area in which we need to spend our greatest efforts.

Shortly, a historic event will take place. You are invited! Please attend! It is the opening of the Ahrens NRPA Institute on Friday, June 27 in Loudoun County, Virginia. So many of us have contributed to make this a reality. The Institute will be a benefit to the park and recreation movement, as well as serving as NRPA's permanent headquarters. Research and education will take place here. It will be the focal point for parks and recreation in this nation. It is a reflection of you and our support network. We raised the funds and the spirit to see it to a reality. Please come, bring you family and join us for a demonstration of our support network for park and recreation. Remember, "Parks and Recreation . . . the Benefits are Endless. . . [TM]"