September 2010 - Parks & Recreation - 10

Members will now be able to
easily interact with and join as
many networks as they want.

Network members to easily communicate with each other and their leaders,
as well as ask questions, discuss urgent
issues, and share best practices - all in
real time. As before, Network leadership
will be provided meeting space at NRPA
conferences in addition to holding two
conference calls a year. Additionally, onsite networking sessions will be offered
at the NRPA Congress to further encourage member engagement with Network
leadership and other members.  Each
Network will have direct representation
on the National Forum.
" Members will now be able to easily interact with and join as many networks as
they want, " explains Dianne Hoover. " They
will be able to have questions answered
quickly and by people who have been
there, done that. Citizens and professionals may interact at any time, on any topic.
This includes students, professors, young
professionals from all parts of the country. 
" There will be more meaningful dialogue about our mission and what we
are doing to achieve that mission instead
of talking within our various groups of
who will serve as the next chair, " Hoover
continues.  " More interaction will result
in more focused attention to those who
make decisions on funding, research and

8	

Parks & Recreation

SEPTEMBER 2010

saving parks from further reductions. "
Both professional and citizen members can now join as many Networks as
desired based on their interests rather
than by a category that defines their profession or geographic location. The initial 18 Networks are:
■■  Administrators

Network
Network
■■  Armed Forces Recreation Network
■■  Citizen Network
■■  Education Network
■■  Leisure and Aging Network
■■  Park Resources Network
■■  Students/Young Professional Network
■■  Therapeutic Recreation/Inclusion
Network
■■  Tourism/Special Events Network
■■  Great Lakes Region Network
■■  Mid-Atlantic Region Network
■■  Midwest Region Network
■■  New England Region Network
■■  Pacific Northwest Region Network
■■  Pacific Southwest Region Network
■■  Southern Region Network
■■  Southwest Region Network
■■  Aquatics

Additional Networks may be created
to maintain NRPA's One Vision, One Voice
as identified by the membership and the
Board of Directors.
N R PA ha s lau nched a n on l i ne

www . N R P A . O R G

community structure for each Network,
which allows NRPA members to immediately engage in this new and exciting
opportunity. Further updates will appear
in the Parks and Recreation magazine, in
online communication, and at the NRPA
Congress in October.
To facilitate the transition to a successful networking structure, NRPA has
created a follow-up Task Force. Former
NRPA Board member Joseph R. Abel,
director of the Seminole County (Florida) Department of Leisure Services, will
serve as the new Task Force Chair.
The NRPA Board of Directors expresses its sincere thanks to the Task
Force for their time and dedication in
working to develop these dynamic Networks. Task Force members solicited input and feedback from the membership
over the past two years, participated in
many discussions, and worked hard to
develop their final recommendations.
Your Board of Directors and the Task
Force members look forward to seeing
the original vision of One NRPA speaking as One Voice for parks, recreation,
and conservation throughout the country. We believe the time is right and the
technology is in place for all of us to join
together in support of one NRPA.

September 2010 - Parks & Recreation

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