New to conference? Then you don't want to miss this! Join us on October 1, 2024 at 2:00 PM EDT - Students, new professionals or distinguished professionals can all learn from a crash course of NRPA Annual Conference including the different events, networking opportunities and where your best resources are located. Make the most of your time at this year's NRPA Annual Conference with these tips, tricks and secrets. A nearly identical version of this session will be offered in-person at the convention center in Atlanta at 5:00pm (local time) on Monday, October 7th. 

Section #1 Off To A Good Start: Attendees will be asked to write down 3 goals to accomplish at Conference.

Section#2 The Basics: Quick run-downs of specific events or programs and how to maximize the attendee experience at each.

Section#3 Tips & Tricks: Best practices to get the most out of conference as a whole -- regardless of where the attendee is at.

Section#4 Connect: The biggest long-term benefit of NRPA and Conference is Networking!  Attendees will get advice on getting an introduction, having a fulfilling conversation and building the strongest connections.  Attendees will then put into practice this advice to meet 3 other professionals in the session.

Section#5 Back to "Work": Best practices about what to do post-conference.

Objectives:

1. Identify the ways to maximize your time and impact at Conference through making schedules, picking the right sessions, and networking opportunities.
2. Learn what to expect from Conference week -- both in education sessions and at the various networking events.
3. Provide strategies for starting conversations and tips for amplifying your network while attending conference as well as solidifying connections long-term.

Coming August 2024! Be curious, not judgmental. Approach difficult conversations head-on and empathetically, not to assign blame but to better understand and create a welcoming work culture internally and inclusive experiences externally. The learning product "Uncomfortable Conversations in Parks and Recreation" delves into navigating the challenging discussions that surface in park and recreation settings and beyond. 

Leveraging insights from lived experiences on six continents with global organizations such as Disney, Olympics and TED / TEDx and utilizing communication lessons and social psychology, this course is designed for individuals working or volunteering in these areas. The curriculum emphasizes how to handle topics like inclusivity, environmental stewardship and cultural awareness with sensitivity and effectiveness.  

The goal is to empower learners with strategies for constructive dialogue and empathy, ultimately fostering an environment in park and recreation spaces where everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging. This is vital for promoting community cohesion and ensuring equitable access to public amenities. 

This talk is available for 1 year after release date.

Learning Objectives:

1. The learners will be able to implement effective communication strategies to facilitate open and respectful dialogues about sensitive issues in park and recreation settings, ensuring conversations are inclusive and productive. 

2. The learners will be able to apply principles of empathy and cultural competence in their interactions with colleagues, stakeholders and the community, fostering an environment of understanding and respect within park and recreation management. 

3. The learners will be able to apply equity-focused assessment techniques to identify and mitigate systemic barriers within park and recreation environments, ensuring facilities and services are accessible and welcoming to all community members. 

Coming August 2024! In February 2023, the Wilmette Park District welcomed its first sustainability coordinator, Lucy Mellen. Explore the unique breadth of a sustainability coordinator role, extending beyond the Park District to encompass the Village of Wilmette, the public library, the local township, and the school district. Discover how Wilmette Park District was able to utilize this role to partner with diverse stakeholders over the past year to develop the district's inaugural sustainability plan, fostering a holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community engagement. 

This talk is available for 1 year from release date!

Learning Objectives:

1. Analyze the components involved in developing a comprehensive sustainability plan for a park district, considering the interconnectivity with other community entities. 

2. Understand the key components and methodologies involved in developing a comprehensive sustainability plan, including assessing current practices, conducting external evaluations, engaging stakeholders through various outreach methods, and forming internal committees to facilitate the planning process.  

3. Analyze the collaborative strategies used by the Wilmette Park District to leverage the sustainability coordinator role in partnering with various stakeholders to develop a comprehensive sustainability plan.  

This presentation addresses how to build special events equitably throughout the entire process; it is suitable for professionals at the start of their careers or for those looking to increase their knowledge base. Drawing from expertise in both programming and special event planning, the presenter will deliver a clear roadmap and planning checklist for special events and equitable decision making. Learners will gain a deeper understanding of the topic, empowering them to apply their newfound knowledge confidently in real-world scenarios. 

This talk is available for 1 year from release date!

Learning Objectives: 

1. The learners will be able to define what special event equity means in parks and recreation and use that definition throughout the planning process.

2. Learners will recognize the various elements that contribute to special event equity, such as accessibility, representation, diversity, inclusion and cultural sensitivity. 

3. Learners will be able to apply principles of special event equity to the design, implementation and evaluation of future events, considering factors such as venue selection, programming, communication and resource allocation. 

This on-demand education talk will be released on the first Monday of the month unless otherwise noted. Each month's virtual subscription Talk will be available for registration in advance, but the contents themselves will go live during the month of release. NRPA's virtual education Talks feature knowledgeable subject matter experts presenting on timely insights from research and practice. Each Talk is approximately 45 minutes to one hour long and is worth 0.1 CEU. 

This talk is available for 1 year from release date!

In the realm of social media, it all starts with content creation. But how do you quantify the results of your posts? It's important to collect data and format it properly for future use and potentially expanding your skills. With more than three years of social media management experience, the leader of this session will provide useful information for beginner-level content creators on formatting your data and understanding what information is most important to glean from with analytics. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Learners will better understand basic analytic terminology and the metrics to track at the beginner level. 

2. Learners will be able to craft summaries of past post-performance data to share with their team. 

3. Learners will gain insight on which overlooked analytics to track and watch to improve content. 

This talk is available for 1 year from release date!

Find previously live Park Access Network content here! Parks and recreation create stronger, more resilient communities that can adapt to and better recover from environmental, social and economic challenges. However, significant racial and socioeconomic disparities affect access to parks, including the number of quality parks, proximity of parks and connection to safe, inclusive, culturally-relevant parks and programs. Moreover, Black, Indigenous and people of color and low-income communities receive fewer resources and support to prepare for, respond to and recover from the impacts of climate change.

Park and recreation professionals have the tools and resources to lead localized, anti-racist solutions that advance the multitude of benefits derived from equitable park access and climate-resilient park systems. The Park Access Network is an open community bringing together diverse professionals to facilitate conversations and best practices among peers to drive systemic changes that advance equitable and resilient park access.

Join us in the pursuit of creating a welcoming and diverse park and recreation system that reflects the ideals of the communities it serves. Our approach involves a targeted investment in each community and laying the foundation for transformative change, heightened engagement and the cultivation of mutual respect. This endeavor is dedicated to identifying and meeting the specific needs of all constituents, ensuring that our services are inclusive and comprehensive. Attendees will have the invaluable opportunity to be guided by a panel of three professionals, which presents a wealth of diversity in education, cultural backgrounds and professional experiences. Together, we will explore innovative strategies for professionals and their organizations to invest in services that truly cater to the diverse tapestry of people within their communities, fostering a more connected and inclusive society. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to effectively use your provided services to reinvest in your diverse constituents, employees, community partners and policymakers.

2. Gain new ideas and strategies to avoid categorizing services, instead developing and investing in a range of diverse community services to meet the needs of all residents.

3. Identify tools that will help you develop an organizational philosophy to guide your services, basing it on the idea that all people need opportunities that inspire and improve their quality of life.

This talk is available for 1 year from release date!

Celebrated the second Saturday in June, NRPA's Family Health & Fitness Day campaign is a celebration of the essential role local parks and recreation plays in keeping individuals, families and communities healthy and active. This online learning event will describe the importance of Family Health & Fitness Day, including how this day promotes the lifelong health and well-being benefits parks provide. This webinar will also share best practices and tips around elevating the recognition of this celebration in local communities, as shared through the lens of NRPA's Marketing Specialist, Christina High. Lastly, this online learning event will share "from the field experience" from Sacramento County Regional Parks, which will share fun and creative ways park and recreation agencies can celebrate Family Health & Fitness Day in their communities. 

Visit NRPA's Family Health & Fitness Day webpage to engage with our resources around Family Health & Fitness Day. https://www.nrpa.org/events/fa...  

Learning Objectives:

1. The learners will be able to describe the essential role park and recreation professionals play in keeping communities healthy and active. 

2. Attendees will be able to plan, promote and implement programs and events in celebration of Family Health & Fitness Day in their own communities on June 8. 

3. Participants will be able to reference the Family Health & Fitness Day Outreach Toolkit for further information on planning, promoting and measuring the impact of Family Health & Fitness Day events. 

This talk is available for 1 year from release date!

This comprehensive discussion delves into vital aspects to empower park agencies in steering effective planning initiatives. Beginning with the essential question of why planning is crucial, the exploration covers key factors such as Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) accreditation, grant eligibility and funding prioritization, while providing an insightful overview of various plan types and emphasizing the significance of inclusive and equity-based planning. This online learning event further delves into engagement techniques geared towards delivering community-supported outcomes, followed by a focus on the technical analysis involved in a needs assessment. Subsequently, this discussion explores recommendations and policy development, delving into the intricacies of Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) and action planning. Additionally, it addresses crucial facets like implementation strategies and offers practical insights on how to initiate the planning process, including Requests for Proposal (RFPs), consultant hiring, in-house planning, scheduling and more. This comprehensive guide equips park agencies with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and succeed in their planning endeavors. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn best practices for conducting an outcome-driven long-range planning process. 

2. Describe 3-5 tools and techniques that will ensure your park agency is successful in increasing community, political, and funding support for implementation. 

3. Identify ways to champion resiliency, economic vitality, equity, access, and community connections through planning and urban design. 

This talk is available for 1 year from release date!