July 2019 - Parks & Recreation - 72

Hot Topics
opics
NRPA Connect is an online network of more than 62,000 park
and recreation professionals who can answer your job-related
questions, have probably dealt with and can offer advice on
many of your challenges and can weigh-in on trending topics
in the field. Check out one of this month's topics:
Geese on Golf Courses (this is always a popular topic) - a
member asked how to effectively keep geese off parks and/
or golf courses.
Several NRPA members offered the following suggestions:
We had the USDA Wildlife Services relocate the geese every year!
We helped round up, cage and release them elsewhere. We then
bought a product to spray on the lawn areas, and the geese would
no longer land on those areas. However, like any liquid spray application, it washed away when we got heavy rains.

For years, we've owned and used Border Collies to chase
them off. Basically, if you harass them with dogs enough, they
move on.

Green laser pointers work very well in harassing the geese,
which seem to think the laser beam is a long, green " stick " that is
going to get them. Get a decent one that projects the beam a good
distance and use it on a regular basis and at night (more effective).

We put up a snow fence around the lake edge that made
it difficult for the birds to get from the water to the grass. We
also used a combination of a remote-control toy truck and a
boat to make the areas less desirable. It was time consuming,
but that combination seemed to work.

Member Benefit:
Performing Quality
Background Checks
with the BIB

ummer programs are
here, and it is important
to keep children and
community members safe
by performing quality background checks!
Following are four questions you should be asking to
ensure you are running quality screens:
How accurate is your data?
Most information received
by states is through county
records. In some cases, the records are either missing data
or inaccurate. You'll need to
assess what screening methods you are using to get the
best data from every state relevant to your applicants.
What is your background
check costing you? Selecting background checks
based on the lowest cost can
lead to a low-quality screen.
The best approach is to ask:
" Are we getting the best quality screen for a fair price? "
Are you getting the full
story? When records, or
pertinent information from

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a record, are missing, it becomes challenging to make
effective hiring decisions.
Making sure you're getting
the best data possible from
as many sources as possible
ensures you're getting the full
story.
Are you getting instant
results? Quality background checks are typically
completed in about three
days. If you are getting instant results, you should be
skeptical of the quality of
that screen.

Our Commitment to
Keeping Kids Safe
BIB is proud to partner with
the NRPA to help park and
recreation agencies protect
what matters with quality
background checks.
With our Secure Applicant
technology, you'll get a professional background screen,
an easy-to-use platform and
exceptional service. Visit
www.nrpa.org/BIB to learn
more.

July 2019 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2019 - Parks & Recreation