NRPS Newsletter December 2011

The Nevada Recreation and Park Society (NRPS) got its roots in the

year 1955. A small group of dedicated individuals from agencies

throughout Nevada met in Reno to establish the state's first

organization dedicated to the advancement of the recreation, parks,

and leisure professions. Though spirited and earnest, this early effort

was short-lived, ceasing to function in three years' time. After several

years of discussion and organizational meetings, NRPS was

reactivated by a group of seventeen professionals who met in Las

Vegas in 1963. NRPS gained affiliation with the National Recreation

and Park Association (NRPA) in 1964. NRPS has been actively

supporting the development of the recreation, parks, and leisure

professions from that year forward. The Society filed articles of

incorporation with the State of Nevada in March 1974.

NRPS is divided into north and south districts. The NRPS Executive

Board is elected by the Society's membership. The Society annually

awards academic scholarships, program and facility excellence awards,

and recognizes in-state distinguished professionals with various

awards, the most coveted of which is the "Dundee Award“.

Throughout its history, NRPS has consistently contributed regionally

and nationally distinguished leadership to a multitude of professional

organizations. The cities of Reno and Las Vegas have both hosted the

NRPA National Congress and NRPS has committed to annually offer a Certified Playground Inspector Course.

Dear NRPS Members: As we approach the joyous holiday season, I hope we all have a chance to take a moment and reflect on all that we have achieved this past year. It has been a very challenging year with the budget cutbacks and staff reductions. A number of our friends that we have known in parks and recreation for a long time have either moved on or retired. We don’t see them as much as we would like. Let’s wish them well on their new journeys. We have been very fortunate in our work with NRPS. We started with a great conference and have continued with many great works including this newsletter. Look for more notable work from our members with a new magazine and a new website. Hopefully, we will be able to provide many more services to our members. One of our major goals for this year is to provide “more for our members”. We all have a lot to be thankful for. We have the opportunity to help our communities be better places to live and bring people closer to together. This is a great profession. We have the opportunity to do so much good for so many people, especially so many in need. I hope you have a very joyous and safe holiday season. Thank you for all your help! Thanks, Dirk Richwine, President Nevada Parks and Recreation Society

President-Dirk Richwine, CPRP

Past Pres.-Sven Leff, CPRP Pres. Elect-Jayne

Mazurkiewicz, CPRP Vice Pres. North-Al Rogers Vice Pres. South-Daniel

McLean Secretary-Sarah Johnson Treasurer-Brady Dehn Members At Large North-

Pandora Bahlman Jennifer Budge Joel Dunn Danny Gleich

Members At Large South-

Nate Jaramillo Nick McLemore Jeannette Palmer Felicia Rivera-Baker

PSP North-Johnathan

Skinner PSC North-Linda Fearnley PSP South-Shelly Gulotta PSC South-Dundee Jones

The NRPS Aquatic Committee is made up of aquatic professionals throughout the southern Nevada area.

Members meet the 2nd Wednesday every other month to discuss aquatic trends, programming, staffing, operations and hot topics.

In addition, the committee organizes several events throughout the year; Health & Safety Expo, Southern Nevada Lifeguard Games and a Recreational Swim Meet.

Please visit our contact page on NRPS.org if you would like to contact our board members to receive additional information on any of our events, attending a meeting or becoming a member.

Board Members 2011

Jessica Laguna, Past Chair Brady Dehn, Chair Trevor Snow, Vice Chair Ericka Taggart, Secretary Dave Castle, Treasurer

Please send submissions for the NRPS monthly newsletter to

Jeannette.Palmer@cityofhenderson.com We want to hear from you!

National Forest Foundation 2012 Matching Awards Program, Deadline: Jan 17, 2012. Approx $30K for direct on-the-ground & citizen-based projects for national forests and grasslands. Info & app: http://nationalforests.org/conserve/grantprograms/ontheground/map

National Alliance for Accessible Golf for Individuals With Disabilities, Deadline: Rolling. Up to $20K to provide golf programs for individuals with disabilities. Info & app: http://www.accessgolf.org/grants/alliance_grants.cfm

Grant Opportunities

The NRPS Board is happy to announce the NRPS magazine will resume in January 2012! We understand the importance of communication and are responding to our members request to provide informative tools about the parks and recreation profession. We know this magazine will meet that need. The magazine will be issued twice a year, which is in addition to the NRPS newsletter that is sent out monthly.

The 2012 NRPS conference is on the horizon. We encourage all members and local professionals to join us at the conference and even assist in the planning process. If you would like to assist with a committee, please email

Jayne.Mazurkiewicz@cityofhenderson.com or gulottms@co.clark.nv.us.

Conference Committees & Chairs:

*Speakers/Education- Dirk Richwine & Jessica Laguna *Playground Safety Institute-Felicia Rivera-Baker *Exhibitors-Shelly Gulotta & Doug Guild *Fundraising- Sarah Johnson *Registration-Jeannette Palmer *Socials/Food-Nate Jaramillo *Technology/Logistics-Nick McLemore

The Nevada Recreation and Park Society (NRPS) will be recognizing excellence in recreation programs and parks facilities at the 2012 NRPS Conference. The categories for recognition include:

•Children •Teen •Senior •Staff Development •Health/Fitness •Outdoor •Sports •Inclusive •New Recreational Concept •Co-Partnership •Special Event

The Elmer H. Anderson Park Excellence Awards, named after one of the founding members of NRPS, also will be honored to recognize park planning and design. Categories include:

•City/Community Park •Neighborhood and/or Mini Park •Special Feature •Commercial Projects •Park and Facility Renovation •Trails/Nature Areas

Applications for submissions are coming soon! So start thinking about your agency’s latest and greatest recreation program and/or park and take this opportunity to be recognized for the outstanding, creative community services you provide! For additional information access the NRPS website www.nrps.org .

CONTINUING EDUCATION CEU opportunities Educational sessions and

exhibits at state conference On-line training (through

NRPA) Presentations at luncheons Annual Conference

Materials and Presentations - Online

STATEWIDE INFORMATION Job postings Event calendar Email notifications/updates NETWORKING AND

MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES

Membership Directory Resource Committees Luncheons Committee Work Links to agencies Facility tours Socials

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS

DISCOUNTED RATES State conference Training

RECOGNITION Scholarships Awards

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Committees Executive Board Pacific Southwest

Regional Citizen members

155 members

to date

Location: Austin, Texas Dates: February 12-16, 2012 Registration is now open for the Association of Aquatic Professionals first annual Aquatic Conference/Institute and Trade Show! The Conference is being held at the Renaissance Hotel located in Austin, TX from February 12-16, 2012! There will be something for everyone involved in every aspect of the aquatic professional. Click here to view the AOAP Conference sessions. Registration materials can be found on the website under the Conference and Education page. http://associationofaquaticprofessionals.org/index.cfm?load=event&event=1 Standard Registration (If registering and paying from October 2, 2011 - January 6, 2012) AOAP Member: $275 / NonMember: $375 Late Registration (If registering and paying after January 6, 2012)

AOAP Member: $300 / NonMember: $400