December 2012 - Parks & Recreation - 6

PERSPECTIVES

A MESSAGE FROM NRPA'S LE ADERS

Make the Most of Your Membership

BELIEVE THE NUMBER ONE CHARACTERISTIC of a good association is its ability to identify
emerging trends that will impact its membership. That's our job. We spend time and resources
reviewing and conducting research to provide us with answers. In NRPA's case, we not only take
into account our national platform, but we also look at member data. In addition, we monitor public
polls to see how our issues resonate with the public. We want to know what the public thinks is important and what they are willing to support.
And here is one thing we have learned:
The public believes and expects that
parks are protecting their communities' natural resources and wildlife-and
they are willing to pay for it.
An early analysis of local election results from 2012 showed that even though
we are not out of the woods from the
worst recession since the Great Depression, voters strongly approved ballot measures and bond initiatives for
investments in parks, recreation, and
conservation at the local and state level
(see page 13).
But to identify trends is not enough. A
good association must also provide its
members with the tools necessary to act
on trends that are impacting its membership-tools that will allow members
to thrive in ever-changing environments. Among
the new tools and information NRPA is providing
to members:
PRORAGIS-NRPA's ever-growing database
of comparative information on parks and recreation now contains valuable eco-beneﬁts calculators-simple online worksheets that allow you
to calculate the economic value of environmental beneﬁts provided by your park resources. Every agency can now estimate the dollar value of
their park system in providing clean air and water
beneﬁts to their citizens.
PROFESSIONAL STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT-Receive intensive training by topﬂight professionals and invaluable peer-to-peer

BARBAR A TULIPANE, CAE
President and CEO
4

Parks & Recreation

| DECEMBER 2012 | WWW.NRPA.ORG

networking at the innovative Green School, the
Directors' School, the Maintenance Management
School, and through NRPA's many online educational resources.
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF TRENDS-
Stay up to date with hard-hitting and topical analysis of current issues affecting parks and recreation
and ongoing discussions of national policy, federal legislation, and breaking news through NRPA's many professional resources.
BEST-PRACTICE INFORMATION-Have access
to the most up-to-date, cutting-edge information
on how others around the country are innovating,
meeting challenges, and solving problems. Bestpractice models are found in NRPA's magazine,
web, blog, and online education resources. Check
out the NRPA Knowledge Center to get an idea of
the many online resources available to members:
www.nrpa.org/knowledgecenter.
PREMIERE MEMBERSHIP-NRPA's new agency
membership category gives every full-time employee in your agency access to vital data, industry information, online learning resources,
member discounts, and the full digital edition of
Parks & Recreation Magazine every month. Premiere Agency members are eligible for member
rates at Congress, have full access the Knowledge Center, and can participate in all the NRPA
Connect online member networks including the
Park Resources Network and the Conservation
Network.
We are providing you with the tools to deliver
what the public wants-take advantage of them
now!

December 2012 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2012 - Parks & Recreation