January 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 45

By Brooke Burk

future le aders

The Student/
Young Professional
Network
Strengthening the future of the recreation field

t is a very exciting time to be involved with NRPA, especially with the organiza-

tion's new structure. I want to welcome everyone to the new Student/Young Professional Network, formerly the Student Branch Board. As Chair of the Student/
Young Professional Network, I want to take this opportunity to talk about our leadership structure and our goals as we move forward within the organization.

leadership team in place, we
First, an introduction. I am
feel we can better accomplish
Brooke Burk, currently a gradour network goals.
uate student at the University
Looking to 2011, the Stuof Illinois at Champaign-Urdent / You ng P rofe s sion a l
bana studying youth developNetwork has even more amment, health, and recreation. I
bitious goals: First, we seek
began serving on the Student
to increase membership and
Board in 2008, and since then,
member awareness of our
I have served on the National
network so more students and
Forum and Programs Comyoung professional can learn,
mittee and attended both the
connect, and advance their
NRPA Legislative Forum and
careers. Second, we plan to
the National Institute on Recserve as a regular contribureation Inclusion conference.
tor to Parks & Recreation magThese opportunities allowed
azine, providing articles of
me to learn more about NRPA
interest to students and young
and promote membership.
The main goal of the Stu- Brooke Burk, president, NRPA Student/ professionals. Third, we have
committed to increasing particdent/ Young professional netYoung Professional Network.
ipation and networking opporwork in 2010 was to become
more involved in NRPA as a whole-as well as to tunities in our field through service projects such
promote the recreation field nationally, regionally, as Park Visit Day and Take-A-Young-Professionaland locally. NRPA's restructuring has allowed for to-Lunch Day. Finally, we intend to promote online
new faces and leadership roles within this network. discussion and use of our webpage to foster eduCurrent leadership roles include Chair, Chair-Elect, cation, collegiality, and networking. It is the hope of
Secretary, Parks & Recreation Liaison, National Fo- this network's leaders that more students and young
rum, Young Professional, Professional Development, professionals will take advantage of the benefits of
Social and Service leaders, two At-Large Leaders belonging to a national organization-and that they
to assist with Regional Networks, and two At-Large will become aware of networking and educational
Leaders to assist with Specialty Networks (i.e., Ed- opportunities in the field. With greater education
ucation, Aquatics, and Armed Forces). With this comes greater leaders, and we believe these goals

www.NRPA .ORG

JANUARY 2011

Parks & Recreation 43

January 2011 - Parks & Recreation

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