December 3, 2020

From the President's Desk

Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to December! I’m sure the way many of you celebrated Thanksgiving differed from the past but I hope each of you had a relaxing and enjoyable day. Oprah Winfrey famously said "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." This is especially true this year as we all must take stock in appreciating what we have done and continue to do to make the best of our situation during the pandemic. Recreation and Park agencies across the country are bracing for yet another uptick in COVID cases as talk about a vaccine is right around the corner. Our field has endured so much over the past nine months, but we are now seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and for that, I am thankful. I am also thankful for being able to work with my fellow professionals who serve on the MRPA Board and Council along with the staff and committee members who steer our efforts to make our state agency shoulders above the rest. Prior to the Thanksgiving break, we all joined together for the Fall Membership Meeting coordinated by our President Elect, Terri Hilton. We had over 120 members registered for the workshop followed up with our MRPA Quarterly Membership Meeting. We also announced Shelby Bowers, Chair our new Social Media Committee, as the winner of the Member of the Quarter Award. Shelby has done a terrific job pushing out MPRA events and news and introducing members of the board and council on a wide array of social media platforms. We also opened up the nominations for elected MRPA positions for 2021-22. I want to encourage everyone to consider either nominating yourself or someone you know for an opportunity to get more involved in MRPA. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member of the Executive Board, please contact Past President, Holly Harden at [email protected]. This week “Coping with COVID Professional Learning Community” was hosted by the RALS Branch. This PLC focused on how mental health has become a major concern for many during these unprecedented times. What steps have you been taking to maintain your own mental health at home and at work? A huge thanks goes out to LeighAnn Eckenrode and the PLC Committee for hosting this workshop. On December 8th, the Training and Education Committee will be hosting “The Courageous Conversations of Managing Performance” This is the last of a three- part series on how to talk about what matters, when it matters, with the people it matters to" Colin McLetchie is a must see so register today and get ready for an exciting and informative training. Lastly don’t miss the CAMP PLC on December 9th as they discuss the future of camps as we move into the Summer of 2021. I want to close by thanking MRPA for sponsoring the 2020 GP RED Think Tank. This was the sixth national GP RED Think Tank but the first all virtual one that took place November 17 – 20 with much positive acclaim from participants. We want to thank all the attendees and our amazing sponsors for making this collaborative experience such an enlightening event. A special thanks to Dr. Maureen Dougherty who serves on the GP RED Advisory Board as well as the Co- Chair of our Social Justice, Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee who spent countless hours planning the Think Tank and orchestrating the speakers. Some highlights included Montgomery Park Police Chief Darryl McSwain who presented with Colorado Springs (CO) Police and Community Center Director on Recreation’s role in Community Policing. Jonathan Jarvis, Former Director of the National Park Service enlightened us about our beloved public lands, and keynote, Sylvie Rokab, who was the director or the must-see documentary, “Love Thy Nature” which you can easily access “on demand”.

I hope everyone has a great week!

John Nissel

MRPA President

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Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam

January 13 OR 14, 2021

• CPSI Course & Certification Exam - $525

• Exam Only - $115

Due to COVID-19, NRPA & MRPA are offering the training course virtually.

This blended learning environment will include 12 hours of pre-recorded learning modules, a 4 hour virtual training course with a live instructor and a computer-based exam.

Click here to register

PROGRAM OPEN SPACE

Continuing a 50 year legacy

Program Open Space – Local provides financial and technical assistance to local subdivisions for the planning, acquisition, and/or development of recreation land or open space areas.

Established under the Department of Natural Resources in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving our natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities for our citizens.

Watch video here!

Meet Bill Offutt!

Bill Offutt

Bill grew up in Howard County down the road from fellow MRPA member, John Nissel. I received a degree in English from Western Maryland College and spent the next three years running around in the woods of Germany with the US Army. In the Fall of 1987, I finally figured out what I really wanted to do so I enrolled at West Virginia University. Did a summer internship in 1988 as a seasonal ranger at Swallow Falls State Park (most beautiful state park in Maryland!) Got my BS in Recreation & Parks Management with a minor in Whitewater in the Spring of 1989.

Later that summer I started my career with Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks when I was hired as a park ranger on the B&A Trail. In 1990 I helped open Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. In 1994 I moved over to Downs Park in Pasadena where I was fortunate enough to develop my interpretive skills in outdoor education. In May of 1998, I was promoted to park superintendent and took over at another of our department's new additions, Kinder Farm Park. I joined MRPA that same year. I spent the next 20 years working at that wonderful facility and chairing some of the positions in the PARC branch.. A little over two years ago, I was given the opportunity to fill the position of Chief of Park Operations for our department and I'm grateful for the challenges that it brings everyday. I consider myself extremely lucky to get to work with a great bunch of Rec & Park professionals here in AA County and MRPA. When not spending free time with family, it's likely that I can be found kayaking some of the great whitewater rivers in Maryland and the neighboring states of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Some words to live by came from my WVU Professor and new kayaker Steve Hollenhorst. "Bill, never let school get in the way of your education." I took that to heart when I skipped his mid-term and talked him into paddling down the Cheat River canyon instead. "If you get me down in one piece, you'll pass my class." I got an A that semester.

CAMP PLC - Via Zoom

December 9, 10 AM - 11:15 AM This PLC will be held through Zoom. Information on how to join the Zoom call will be provided in your confirmation and will be sent to you prior to the event. Please be sure to provide a current/correct email address.

Click here to register!

Election Nominations!

Don’t forget that nominations for all elected MRPA Board positions and Branch Board positions opened last week at the Fall General Membership Meeting! That’s all well and good, but… Why would you want to join the board? Here is a short list of five reasons as published by Blue Steps. #1 – Expand your network - This new network of passionate leaders can be an asset for the rest of your career. #2 – Grow your personal ‘brand’ - Joining a board is the best thing you can do to boost your executive brand. It is an impressive addition, which adds gravitas to any resume or

CV. #3 – Support initiatives that resonate with you - Nonprofit boards can provide an excellent opportunity to positively affect change or support organizations working towards a cause you are passionate about. #4 – Intellectual challenge - For leaders who are always curious to learn more things, board duties will provide a rewarding intellectual challenge. #5 – Makes you better at your current job - The deviation from your norm will teach you news ways of operating and how different people, organizations and industries approach situations.

Contact Past President Holly Harden for more information on board positions, the nomination or election process, [email protected].

The MRPA Apparel Store is Up!

Online ordering for "Maryland Recreation & Parks Association Apparel December 2020" ends on Thursday, December 10, 2020 (11:59pm EST).

New Era - Adjustable Structured Cap

Click here to visit the store!

News from the Awards Committee

With continued uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, the Awards Committee will be moving the annual Agency Showcase Awards luncheon to a date to be determined in late October/early November, 2021. This is actually something the Awards Committee has been mulling over for some time as feedback we had received from past nominees is that a fall time frame for the event would be much easier to attend. Keep an eye on future Weekly Updates and the MRPA website for more info on the 2021 Showcase luncheon and new awards being added, as well as nominations for the association awards at conference!

Sensory Pathways in Parks and Programs (0.1 CEUs pending) Tuesday, January 26, 2021 from 12:00pm-1:00pm

Presenters: Corey Smith and Catherine Trovato

You’ve planned for games, songs, snacks, shelters, rainy day activities, group sizes and ratios, and weekly themes; have you thought about how you’re going to meet your campers’ sensory needs? Sensory pathways deliver an opportunity for self- regulation through proprioceptive and vestibular movement. When you provide these outlets for you campers, they are less likely to engage in mal-adaptive, disruptive, sensory-seeking behaviors, and thus create a positive camp experience for ALL.

Corey Smith is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and a Certified Park and Catherine Trovato began her camp career at Recreation Professional. She graduated from the Rochester Rotary Sunshine Camp where UNCG in 2008 and has been working with the she spent 13 amazing season providing Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning campers of all ages and abilities summers filled with fun memories. In 2012 she Commission (M-NCPPC), Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation obtained her Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro since 2012. Corey is an Inclusion Coordinator in Recreation and Park Management with a where she works to provide program and concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. Cat participant modifications and adaptations for currently coordinates inclusion support for people with disabilities across the life span. Arlington County DPR programs.

She is an advocate for personal choice and equal access for all people who wish to pursue their leisure passions.

Colin T. McLetchie, President and Founder of Five Ways Forward, LLC (www.fivewaysforward.com) believes in lives worth living, leaders worth following, and organizations worth being a part of, all of which create communities and a world worth living in. As an executive coach, organizational consultant, facilitator, teambuilder and trainer, he seeks to bring his 25+ years of human resources and leadership experience along with his compassionate challenge into deep service of his clients and their personal and organizational missions. He is a graduate of Georgetown University’s Executive Coaching Certification program and is a Professional Certified Coach with the ICF and holds a Bachelor’s in Interpersonal and Public Communication. He lives in Alexandria, VA with both his partner and the real ruler of their house – Rhaeger (their black cat). Register separately for each session.

Tuesday, December 8, 12 PM The Courageous Conversations of Managing Performance (.1 CEU Pending)

Managing the performance of an individual, a team or an organization is foundational to success. Based on both the “what” that needs to get done and the “how” it gets done as essential to performance, we will explore how to invite team members into courageous performance conversations and learn how to talk about employee development.

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Career Center Job Openings

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Therapeutic Recreation Specialist 1 - Greenbelt, MD

Inclusion Specialist - Greenbelt, MD

Recreation Program Manager II - Snow Hill, MD

County-Wide Sports Coordinator - Riverdale, MD

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MARYLAND RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

Prince George's Stadium | 4101 Crain Highway, Suite 201 Bowie, MD 20716

Office | 301.352.7203 * Fax | 301.352.7464 * Email | [email protected]

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