February 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 47

munity, no matter [their] position,
has the power to effect change in
a transformational way, " says Bill
Foelsch, 2021-2022 president of
the Academy.
Each member of the Academy
will be asked to take the pledge to
be R.E.A.L.:
* Reveal
relevant opportunities.
Gain awareness of the types
of diversity within and across
groups, and the context in which
diversity,
equity and inclusion
(DEI) play out across organizations
as a whole.
* Elevate equity. Acknowledge
societal inequities and recognize
that, unintentionally, their
organization isn't a level playing
field; set clear goals toward
greater equity, and then act.
* Activate diversity. Recognize
and engage differences within the
organization and membership.
Explore the impact of diversity
on perspectives, assumptions and
approaches, and identify ways to
enhance the contributions of all.
* Lead inclusively. Foster active, intentional
and ongoing efforts to
promote the full participation and
sense of belonging of everyone.
Beyond policies and practices, this
includes the ability to envision and
enact inclusive ways of leading.
The JEDI Committee presented
a list of eight deliverable tasks,
which were approved by the 2021
Academy Board of Directors, to
focus their efforts moving forward:
1 Create toolkits for agencies.
a. Look externally at how we can
apply DEI practices in our operations
(a smart practice for
all agencies to adopt).
b. Create and package accessible
educational information for
the profession - webinars,
blogs, newsletters, conference
sessions, online materials and
so on.
c. Be mindful of DEI in decision
making and actions.
d. Address all of the " isms " -
racism and sexism, to name a
couple.
e. Recognize racial disparities
in the profession and that inclusion
goes beyond ethnicity.
Communicate our platform.
2 Address systemic racism by
acknowledging past and present
inequities, and create safe spaces
for conversation and growth.
3 Educate and create awareness
within the profession so that the
professionals can share resources and
information about DEI with their
agencies, state organizations and educational
institutions, and that we can
begin to impact and reflect the communities
we serve and live in.
4 Bring greater diversity into our
profession. Having diverse people
in recreation is the best way to advocate.
Work with NRPA to find
ways to get diverse people into our
profession.
5 Ensure our boards and staff
represent our community and that
we provide our community members
of color the same or better
parks near their homes.
6 Work with the Commission for
Accreditation of Park and Recreation
Agencies to explore opportunities
for addressing JEDI efforts.
7 Look internally at our industry/profession
as to how we can
enhance DEI.
8 Create a JEDI Diversity Award.
While the work of the JEDI ComWhile
the work of the JEDI
Committee has only just begun,
it is clear that this work is
evolving and is critical to the
future of our profession.
mittee has only just begun, it is
clear that this work is evolving and
is critical to the future of our profession.
" I
am embracing all that I am
learning and putting it
tion with my team, " says
into acJanet
Bartnik, Academy 2021-2022
president-elect.
" The Academy
is full of people that others see as
mentors. Serving as such, we can
model best practices and others
will come along with us on their
own journeys. That is what I am
most excited about! "
This is the perfect moment to
support the Academy, NRPA and
our profession. Become an ally in
the fight for justice, equity, diversity
and inclusion of the professionals
in our field and the patrons who
access - and even those who don't
yet access - our programs and services
in our communities.
" The Academy issues a challenge
for every member of the
profession to begin their own
soul searching and do some selfreflection
on their attitudes, and
words they use, exploring how they
feel as individuals, about: race, equity
and inclusion, " says Adams.
Let's all work together to make
our profession, workplaces and
communities better and more inclusive
places for all people to feel welcomed
and their voices heard.
Tracey Crawford, CTRS, CPRP, is Executive Director at the
Northwest Special Recreation Association and Co-Chair of the
Academy's JEDI Committee. Roslyn Johnson, CPRP, is
Director of Recreation and Parks at Baltimore County and
Co-Chair of the Academy's JEDI Committee.
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | FEBR U AR Y 2 0 22 | Parks & Recreation
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February 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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