December 2014 - Parks & Recreation - 38

BUILDING SUCCESS

Barbara Tulipane: You have been a
strong proponent of park and recreation agencies becoming more
entrepreneurial. What formed your
thinking on this and why did you
want to write this book?
Paul Gilbert: In my work experience
- first in the private sector, then in the
nonprofit world and most recently for
NOVA Parks - I have learned that
you have to constantly reinvent yourself, especially when you don't have
deep-pocket resources. When you
don't have the resources, you can't just
throw money at problems. You must
be an innovator, and you have to engage customers where they are, rather
than where you want them to be.
Tulipane: Who should read this
book and why should they read it?
Gilbert: I think that this book appeals
to two audiences - first, to professionals in the field who want to take
their agency to the next level. I try to
answer the question of how we can
be more effective and do more, and
not necessarily with less. But I also
think this book works extremely well

as a textbook for the administration
and management of park and recreation agencies. This is a new kind of
book for that audience. It's filled with
real-life examples of how others are
doing cutting-edge innovation in their
agencies. I think it works equally well
for professionals in the field and for
students who are entering the field.

ganization must start with a shared
vision for the future and then create
a strategic plan on how to get there.
This is the critical transformational
step - it will guide your board, your
staff and all employees toward reaching your goals. Everyone needs to
work toward achieving a part of that
plan. Among the elements that will

If you think that all you need to do is cut the grass,
do the programs and keep things running, you really
aren't much different than a public works department.
Tulipane: In your book, you say that
the critical first step to creating a
high-performance agency is to begin
by creating an entrepreneurial organization. Just what is an " entrepreneurial organization, " and how do park and
recreation agencies go about reinventing themselves to be one?
Gilbert: I believe this starts with the
individual and his or her enthusiasm
and willingness to succeed. The or-

help achieve this are creating a sustainable funding model, repositioning
your agency to offer a more compelling value proposition to the public,
and creating a performance-driven organization that motivates employees
and brings value to the community.
Tulipane: I recently reviewed a 240page strategic plan developed for
a relatively small agency. It seems
ridiculous to have a strategic plan
that is that detailed.
Gilbert: I agree. Simpler is better - that
is what a strategic plan should be. It needs
to focus on the transformational steps an
agency must take as an organization.
You know if you don't have a clear mission and vision, you might as well be a
public works department. If you think
that all you need to do is cut the grass, do
the programs and keep things running,
you really aren't much different than a
public works department.
Tulipane: What are some of the
most important things that individuals can do to contribute to making
a high-performance agency?
Gilbert: Energy. Passion. Enthusiasm.
It comes down to optimism for me.
You need to put forth an aspirational

36	 Parks & Recreation

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December 2014 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2014 - Parks & Recreation

December 2014 - Parks & Recreation - 1
December 2014 - Parks & Recreation - 2
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