President’s Message

NRPS Newsletter

June 2015

NRPS Mission 2

Upcoming Socials 2

Job Postings 3

Aquatics Commit- 3

Grant Opportuni-ties

8

NRPS Membership 9

Executive Board 10

Inside this issue:

Special points of in-

terest:

Check out updated

grant information.

Keep an open eye for

socials.

Be sure to submit

photos and articles.

Recruit new mem-

bers!

Commitment, Service, Action, and Personal Growth

I have been associated with professional associations for many years and

have served as president of several park and recreation associations. What I

have discovered from my involvement with these associations is the impor-

tance of member commitment and service. We all have full-time jobs that

demand our time, energy and effort. We also have a busy and varied per-

sonal lives. We should have, as an extension of our professional life, a profes-

sional service commitment that is manifest in our service to our professional

associations. In my book, Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society my coauthor and I wrote

that the purpose of professional organizations is to: regulate and set standards for professional

development; promote legislation for the advancement of the profession; develop public infor-

mation programs to improve understanding and support of the field by the public; sponsor

conferences, publicans, and field services to improve practices; and press for higher standards

of training, accreditation, and certification. At some level NRPS is working on all of these pur-

poses.

P

I suggest to you that there is an even more important component of professional associations.

Professional associations allow each of us the opportunity to give back to our profession

through engagement and participation. Real professional growth comes from sharing who we

are, what we do, and how we do it, with other professionals. Active involvement in profes-

sional organizations gives us a broader scope of knowledge, understanding, and expertise

about ourselves, our profession, and about those we serve. It does not just involve giving, but

also involves receiving. I have found that I always receive more then I give. Some of that is

intangible, such as feeling good, but much of it is tangible - the creation of friendships, under-

standing there are others with the same challenges and successes I have, and the feeling that

I am not alone, but surrounded by other committed professionals.

My belief and experience reinforces the concept and reality that through involvement in our

professional organizations we experience personal growth. One does not need to be an officer

of an association, although we would love to have a larger pool of candidates, or even service

as a committee chair. But, the association is only as good as its members commitment to the

profession. Take for example, the most recent NRPS Conference. We had 43 members in-

volved in putting on the conference. We needed every one of those who made the commit-

ment to make the conference work. NRPS has 13 active committees that work to serve our

members. Consider volunteering for one of those committees. I promise you that you will feel

rewarded for your effort. The new web page, which is nearing completing will have a list of the

committees and their charge for 2015-2016, along with the committee chairpersons names.

The committees NRPS currently has include: annual conference, archive committee (history),

audit committee, awards committee, aquatics committees (both north and south), communica-

tions committee (big job and we need lots of help), constitution and bylaws committee, educa-

tion committee, finance committee, membership committee, professional certification commit-

tee, and ways and means committee (another committee that could use more people).

There are great opportunities to serve. We can best serve you by you serving the profession

through your involvement in NRPS. Contact me, or any board member, about involvement in

NRPS.

- Daniel McLean, NRPS President

Nevada Recreation & Park Society

Creating Communities Through People, Parks

and Programs!

Our mission is to support and recognize members of the Society and

to promote Recreation and Parks as an essential service in Nevada.

NRPS Vision Statement

We support the National Recreation & Park Association and the benefits of Recreation and Parks for citizens of the State of Nevada. We serve with pride, leadership and professionalism.

We Believe in creativity and innovative problem solving.

We Believe in encouraging and promoting diversity in our membership.

We Believe in recognizing the accomplishments of members and agencies.

We Believe in members’ input to shape our vision through strategic plan-

ning.

We Believe in cooperation, communications, teamwork and consensus

building for the citizens, the Society and the agencies we serve.

If you are interested in setting up a social event for the north or south,

contact your executive board representatives.

For the North contact:

Andy Bass, North VP,

TBA - Sun Valley, June 25th

For the South contact:

Sarah Johnson, South VP

Nevada Parks and Recreation Society Mission

Upcoming North/South Socials and Events

Letting our old logo fade

off into the sunset!

Page 2 June 2015

Aquatics Committee

The NRPS Aquatic Committee is made up of aquatic professionals through-

out 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, at-

tending a meeting or becoming a member.

Did you know…

Scholarships are available

for Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Training Instructor, Lifeguard Manage-

ment, Lifeguard Training and CPR/AED classes? Contact 702-595-0010 for

more information.

Page 3 June 2015

Here are some of the current openings within the state of Nevada.

Carson City - Management Assistant 2

Full-Time Position

$33,000-$46,000 per year

Position provides routine office support

More jobs will be posted on the website at www.NRPS.org/jobs

Agency Job Announcements

Page 4 June 2015

A NEW DIRECTOR AND A SHARED VISION FOR LAS VEGAS PARKS AND RECREATION

In November 2014, I was fortunate to be selected from a pool of 80 applicants to fill the position of Director

of Parks and Recreation for the City of Las Vegas. The opportunity to join and create an organization with a

team of very dedicated recreation professionals may be reward enough, but to help usher in the re-

establishment of the Parks and Recreation department as a stand-alone department after the Great Reces-

sion, was very appealing to me as well. I have been a local government administrator since January 1988

and have served a variety of roles in planning and public administration, primarily at the chief appointed

executive level. The challenges and opportunities attracted me, and of course I believed that establishing

the correct direction would be essential when coming in fresh.

Early in my tenure, our department hosted David Horsager’s at our annual All Hands Workshop. Mr. Hor-

sager made a presentation that involved so many substantive suggestions to move from good to great that

it is challenging to incorporate them all into our everyday routines. However, a senior staff member reminds

us all that "If you are not sharing your vision at least every thirty days, your team doesn't know it." What an

excellent takeaway! A Vision section was quickly added to our weekly employee newsletter that speaks to

the vision our management team has for our department and when necessary will be updated.

2015 Vision

Everything begins and ends with the City of Las Vegas' vision of "Building Community to Make Life Better".

Specific to Parks and Recreation, we believe our focus should be on sound business practices and excellent

customer service. We believe all staff should:

Ensure our plans, policies and procedures are sound and consistently applied…not driven nor defined by audit findings, but a desire to improve our delivery of service;

Provide valued services that are desired by our participants/customers…not driven by cost recovery, but intending to provide desired programs and opportunities that customers desire, value and want to par-ticipate; and

Engage our greatest resource, PR staff, in the evaluation of plans, policies, procedures, service delivery and consistent performance…not driven by short-term objectives alone, but with a focus on daily im-provement and quality, while seeking paths to become engaged, responsible and accountable public servants. Each member of staff is a part of a specific business plan whether it’s at a center or a specific function of Parks and Recreation. Staff is expected to know where they fit in and how they may person-ally help implement business improve over the long-term.

These statements comprise the departments Vision 2015. Details on progress will continue to be shared,

hopefully upward as well as by traditional chain of communication. I cannot stress enough the need for each

team member to find a way to be valuable to our customers and each other; to embrace responsibility for

quality and achievement, as well as the accountability that follows; and to appreciate that setting goals and

achieving performance will enhance our participant/customer experience and allow us to be appreciated as

the professionals we are!

Welcome to Las Vegas, Tim Hacker!!! By: Tim Hacker

Page 5 June 2015

Many of us have First-Aid and CPR training and while we appreciate our certifications, some-times it is more about the day out of the office. However, in the City of Sparks, three employ-ees were able to jump into action and save the life of a gentleman using one of the park trails.

On May 21st in Sparks, Mark Reynolds, Brandon Miles, and David Bresee, three City of Sparks employees were met by a woman who along with her husband were riding trails at Golden Eagle Regional Park. According to the report by REMSA, while the couple were riding bikes, the hus-band suffered a fall that injured his leg badly. The injury caused an artery to get cut and he was losing significant amounts of blood.

Due to a lack of strong cell service in the area, the woman rode into the park to find the three employees. The contacted 911 for assistance and headed into the hills to the husband. They were able to slow the bleeding using skills they have acquired over the years until emergency ser-vices were able to arrive on the scene. The people with REMSA commented on how impressed they were on the treatment of the wound by the City staff. The employees helped the women get the bikes loaded and home to her vehicle so she could then get to the hospital to meet up with her husband..

While this sounds like a movie script, it shows the reason why were all maintain our training and understanding of how to cope with emergency situations. As well, the gentleman will be fine and the staff was even brought cookies by the wife later in the week.

Congrats to the City of Sparks for your great employees!

Saving Lives in Sparks!! By: Danny Gleich

Page 6 June 2015

The Nevada Parks and Recreation Society is the local host for the 2015 National Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference. The confer-ence is scheduled for September 15 through the 17. The conference will be held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. This will be the 50th anniversary of the NRPA Conferences going back with the Association was founded. The Local Host Committee host several functions during the conference including a gold tournament, fun run and several local off site institutes showcasing many of the local parks and rec-reation attractions such as the Wetlands Park, Springs preserve, Craig Ranch, Clark County Shooting Range and Heritage Park. A Leisure Park is also provided on site at the conference.

In order for the Conference to be successful, it will require several volunteers to help the vari-ous functions or just to provide general assistance to thousands of parks and recreation professional who are at the conference as delegates. We would love to have you as a volunteer to help us make sure this event a success. In exchange for volunteering, passes to the Exhibit Hall may be available showcasing thousands of parks and recreation products. If you are interested in volunteering as part of the NRPA Local Host Committee, please contact Danielle Norris at Danielle.Norris @cityofhenderson.com.

NRPA Conference Update

Yarn Storming in Clark County!

The West Flamingo Senior Center Yarn Stormers and other members of the center’s Knit and Crochet group are creating a mural out of crocheted and knitted sea creatures and underwater plant life for Child Haven, a Clark County facility for displaced infants children.

Fish, octopi, sea urchins, whales, sharks, clams, seaweed, and schools of small fish will be push pinned to drywall surfaces in nurseries and other rooms that are bare and institutional.

Previous Yarn Storming projects have included a bridge, a handrailing, a museum and indoor market in L.A.

Help is always needed in the form of yarn or even mailing in your own fish. For more information contact Diane Bush of the West Flamingo Senior Center at (702) 455-7742 or email her at bushds@clarkcountynv.gov

Page 7 June 2015

Thanks to the efforts of Felicia Rivera-Baker and Shelly Gulotta, the CPSI training offered at the Nevada Recreation and Park Society Conference is 2015 was able to bring in $7,500 in revenue after expenses. These funds were supported by $1,000 from an outside sponsor as well.

Thanks to all the hard work done by these two over the past 5+ years, they were recognized this past month by their peers. Their efforts have helped to build and support our society along the way and keep it organized financially.

We are a fortunate group to have many committed professionals who aspire to keep the Ne-vada Recreation and Parks Society running strong and are truly blessed to have the support and skill of these two woman to help lead the charge throughout the year.

CPSI Recap and Thank You!!!

Leadership Institute is the Nevada Recreation & Park Society’s new an-nual leadership development program for early to mid-career profes-sionals. Leadership development is critical to public and park and rec-reation employees.

It provides participants and agencies with skill sets, competencies, and a growing expertise that enhances their success on the job and helps build individual and organizational futures! The 1-year program will enhance individual organizational leadership skills, specifically addressing leader-ship styles, philosophies, and competencies. In addition, the program explores and introduces participants to emerging approaches of inte-grating leadership development to personal growth concentrating on participatory and collaborative leadership.

The intent is to prepare leaders for today with essential skills and for a future that will increasingly see managers take on challenges that require strategic thinking, collaboration, systems thinking, leading change, and becoming comfortable with ambiguity.

Join the Leadership Institute!!!

Page 8 June 2015

Training Opportunities

Southern Nevada

NO UPCOMING TRAININGS LISTED

Northern Nevada

Aquatics Risk Management Course

June 19, 2015

9:00am - 4:30pm

Elko, NV

Hosted by POOL/PACT

NRPS Membership

The Nevada Recreation and Parks Society (NRPS) is a non-profit, professional organization, founded in 1958. Its main pur-pose is to promote the growth and development of Nevada recreation and parks. NPRS is affiliated with the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).

NPRS has several levels of membership to meet the needs of all parks and recreation professionals, students, retirees, agencies, and affiliates.

PROFESSIONAL This category includes persons who are or have been employed full time in an executive, leadership or supportive staff capacity within a public or private agency or department of recreation or parks or educational institution. ($30)

RETIRED PROFESSIONAL This category includes any persons over 45 years of age, who has been a Professional Member of NRPS, NRPA, or an NRPA Affiliate for a minimum of ten (10) years and has officially retired from a qualified professional position. ($15)

ASSOCIATE This category includes persons who are employed part time or volunteers within the recreation and parks field, and who subscribe and agree to the aims and objectives of this society. ($15)

STUDENT This category includes persons who are enrolled full time in high school, colleges or universities with an interest in parks and recreation or an allied field. ($10)

AGENCY This category includes the Agency Director and members of the policy or advisory board or commission. Dues are based on full time employee (FTE) equivalent. ($250 – 20 FTE’s or more; $150 – under 20 FTE’s)

ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION AND AFFILIATE This category includes national, state, and local organizations, hospitals, colleges, universities, clubs, and local, state or regional societies and organizations. ($50)

COMMERCIAL This category includes all vendors, commercial and for-profit organizations who subscribe and agree to the aims and objectives of this society. ($50)

HONORARY May be bestowed upon those persons approved by this society’s Executive Board.

Page 9 June 2015

Please send submissions for the

NRPS monthly newsletter to Danny Gleich

DGleich@churchillcounty.org

We want to hear from you!

Pictures, Articles, Announcements …..

Future Newsletter Announcements

Nevada Recreation and Park Society

PO Box 97264

Las Vegas, Nevada 89054

NRPS Executive Board

Creating Communities Through People, Parks

and Programs!

Nevada Recreation and Park

Society (NRPS)

President -Daniel McLean, Ph.D Past President - Nate Jaramillo President Elect - Adam Blackmore Vice President North - Andy Bass, MBA Vice President South - Sarah Johnson Secretary - Kathy Burkhardt Treasurer - Kristy Bekiares, MBA, CPRP, CPO

Check out our new website!!!

WWW.NRPS.ORG Contact the President:

E-mail: nrps@live.com

Member At Large North Danny Gleich, MS, CPRP Darrin Price, BA, CPO Mike Freeman, BS, CPO Shauna Nelson Token Barnthouse, MS Member At Large South Katie Fese Lisa Ortega Michelle Shaffer Mickey Sprott

PSWC - Dundee Jones