June 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 58

NRPA Update

Volunteer Spotlight: Roslyn Johnson
" We are in the business of saving lives. "

ncoming NRPA board member Roslyn Johnson has been an active member of NRPA for 10 years and a park and recreation professional since
2002. As the deputy director of facility operations for the Prince George's
County Department of Parks and Recreation in Maryland, she oversees her
agency's Arts and Cultural Heritage; Maintenance and Development; Natural and Historic Resources; Public Affairs and Marketing; and Sports, Health
and Wellness divisions. She is also charged with interfacing with elected officials and the public; providing necessary resources for staff and supporting
their professional development; ensuring her agency remains a good steward
of taxpayer money; and maintaining programs, facilities and parks that are
accessible and meet the needs of the entire community. Although she attests
that she became professionally involved with parks and recreation " by accident, " it's clear her time spent in the field has been well-served.
In the past, what roles have you
held with NRPA?
My involvement with NRPA has
steadily increased during my membership. As a speaker, I have presented at the first Urban Park Conference in Chicago and at Congress

and Legislative Forum twice. I have
also been a member of the Urban Directors Network since its inception
and the Public Policy Committee
for the past two years. In addition, I
served a short stint on the Program
Committee, have been a member of
the Board Nominating Committee,
served as a diversity mentor and
young student/professional lunch
pair, assisted with the Urban Parks
Summit by involving the mayor of
Richmond, have been a member of
the Ethnic Minority Society, and
have helped out in any other way I
have been called upon to assist.
Once you come aboard NRPA's
Board of Directors in October, what
do you hope to accomplish during
your time in that leadership role?
In order for NRPA to continue
moving forward as a national leader and expert, its success is going
to be dependent upon recruiting
and appealing to our young future
leaders and their needs. During
these tough financial times when so
many agencies have to make some

Parks & Recreation

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tough decisions, they also need to be
able to see the value in NRPA, and
I believe I can assist in getting that
message out. Additionally, although
I think the mission, vision and all
of the core values in the strategic
plan are important, a culture of enjoyment, fun and celebration along
with a commitment to inclusion and
diversity will be a part of my focus.
NRPA has been a very welcoming
organization, and we need to continue to do so by reaching out to our
members, encouraging them and
creating platforms for them to become involved and active.
In what ways do you think the
field of parks and recreation
might have opportunities to
grow and improve?
Years ago, we used to just be the
parks and sports programs in the
country. Today, as we have evolved,
we are experts in providing opportunities for people of all ages, cultures,
abilities and special needs. We will
have an even greater opportunity to
grow and improve the more we get
everyone to believe what we already
know: We are in the business of saving lives. Whether it's redirecting
negative behaviors with positive opportunities for our youth; teaching
lifelong skills such as swimming,
trades and the like; helping to build
character; or providing a park or
trail for someone to walk, bike, run
or horseback ride on - very simply
put, we save lives.
-Interview by Danielle Taylor, Associate
Editor, Parks & Recreation (dtaylor@nrpa.org).

June 2013 - Parks & Recreation

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