June 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 75

PRORAGIS Update

Upgrades Reflect Member Suggestions

n last month's issue, we ran an article, " Completing the PRORAGIS Agency
Profile " featuring suggestions by agencies that had completed their PRORAGIS profiles-along with responses from those at NRPA
who administer the online management tool.
PRORAGIS combines an operating database
made up of agency-submitted profiles from
across the country with a mapping ability and
park locator. Since a number of agencies had
successfully submitted profiles, we asked them
about their experiences-and encouraged
them to offer ideas for improving the process.
Agency suggestions ranged from ways to eliminate red tape to providing expanded profile
printing options.
This month, system manager Greg Manns
reports upgrades to the system to reflect the
user requests for improved menu options,
hard-copy worksheet files, and professionalquality profile hard copies.

Space for Clarifying and Explaining
Users asked for additional options on the dropdown menus to allow for explanations of answers that are either incomplete or submitted
as approximate rather than exact numbers.
It was tempting, some respondents said, to
leave a profile incomplete if the exact information required was not available. The ability

to explain or annotate answers makes an " imperfect " submission acceptable.
Manns reports that agencies now have
the ability to submit explanations as text box
commentary.

corporate partners or sponsors. Respondents
requested an improved PDF hard copy-eliminating such elements as checkboxes and replacing them with a more visually appealing
display.
Manns has incorporated user feedback to
create a hard copy printing option that will allow agencies who complete the profile to distribute a professional-looking report.

PDF Versions of Survey Questions

New NRPA Connect Forum

The most efficient way to complete the PRORAGIS
survey, we heard, is to delegate data collection
to one or more people ahead of time-and then,
with data in hand, complete the online survey in
a single sitting. There was just one problem, respondents said. Printing out worksheets for data
collection meant printing the entire survey from
the screen. Agencies requested different PDF
printing options-both for individual sections
and for the survey in its entirety.
According to Manns, those worksheet PDF
printing options are now available once a user
logs in to the agency PRORAGIS account.

In gathering user feedback, it was apparent
also that having a place to share suggestions
and ask questions would be valuable to those
completing the PRORAGIS survey. In order to
help make the process as easy and as friendly as possible, NRPA Connect has now added a
forum dedicated solely to members completing their PRORAGIS profiles. It will be moderated by NRPA staff, and all ongoing feedback
and suggestions will influence continued improvements to the system. To join the PRORAGIS forum, visit http://nrpaconnect.org/vb/
forumdisplay.php?f=29
The magazine will continue to report on a
monthly basis on the PRORAGIS system-sharing user experiences, documenting enhancements, and offering tips for efficient survey
completion.

Professional-Quality Hard Copies
One of the benefits of completing the profile
is that an agency then has a final product-a
data-intensive document to distribute to local
legislators, citizen supporters, and potential

It's Summertime....Is the Living Easy?

ummer is the peak season for many park and recreation agencies. The entire year, for these agencies, is
often dependent on the success of their summer season. Therefore, it isn't surprising that a passion for the
parks and recreation movement shines most brightly during the
summer season. The hard work and dedication of park and recreation professionals leaves an impact on the lives of more people than any other profession, especially during the summer.
The National Recreation and Park Foundation and its Board of
Governors want to take this opportunity to express a debt of
gratitude to all of you who continue to make a difference by leaving your parks and recreation legacy. Thank you all and have
a wonderful and safe summer. Keep on doing what you do so
passionately.
The NRPF is a 501(c)(3) organization supporting research and

-Maureen Hannan

public awareness of the economic, social and physical value of
parks and recreation in creating healthy families and communities for all populations to include educating and reaching the
underserved, through grants provided to NRPA (e.g., Environmental and Play Summits; Marvin Gaye Park)

Jeremy M. Culpepper
NRPF Administrator
864.634.0412
admin@nrpfoundation.org
www.myparkandreclegacy.com

www . N R P A . O R G

J U NE 2 0 1 1

Parks & Recreation 73

June 2011 - Parks & Recreation

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