There are also several committees that are behind the great membership benefits that MRPA offers. There is plenty of room for involvement on each!

• Awards Committee - Work with a representative of each Branch or focus area, the membership, the President, Board and Council to recognize members quarterly and annually at the State Association Conference. Evaluate and recommend changes to the awards as warranted.
  

  Committee Chair: Elisabeth Deal
  Rockville Recreation & Parks
  Work: (240) 314-8658
  edeal@rockvillemd.gov
  
  

• Conference Committee - Planning of the MRPA Annual Conference for professionals, volunteers, board members and vendors from across the state and region. Offer a variety of educational sessions on areas of interest to the parks and recreation profession, networking and acknowledge outstanding accomplishments of both departments and individuals through annual awards.

  Committee Chair: Terri Hilton
  Rockville Recreation & Parks
  Work: (240) 314-8802
  thilton@rockvillemd.gov
  
  



• Finance Committee - Monitor the long range financial plan. Prepare periodic (minimum of annual) status reports on the association's investment funds. Work with the executive director to develop specifications for conducting the annual audit/review/compilation and where applicable, interview potential auditors. Meet with accountants to discuss the management letter of the association's fiscal practices. Act as an advisor to the executive director and executive board in financial practices, policies and procedures.

  Committee Chair: Paul D. Meadows, CPRP
  Calvert County Parks & Recreation
  work: (410) 535-1600 x2223
  meadowpd@co.cal.md.us

• Interagency Committee - Work in conjunction with the Membership Committee in fostering communication and coordination between MRPA and various organizations involved in the delivery of recreation and park related services.   

 

• Legislative Committee - Develop a network and procedures to track and monitor state-wide legislation prior to and during the Maryland General Assembly session. Develops a list of issues and concerns for the upcoming legislative session. Determines strategy for communicating issues to the appropriate parties; maintains a log of pending legislation including a brief description of each bill, its sponsor/s, committee assignment, hearing date and status. Leads discussions during the session to review and develop a course of action and develop and implement testimony strategy for each bill based upon committee consensus.

           Committee Chair: John Byrd

            Howard County Recreation & Parks

           (410) 313-4640

          jbyrd@howardcountymd.gov

 

• Marketing Communications Committee - Assist in the promotion of activities of the association including general membership meetings and workshops, training and education programs, the annual conference and distribution of association news through print and electronic media.

          Committee Chair: Holly Harden, CPRP

          Howard County Recreation & Parks

          Work: (410) 313-4625

          hharden@howardcountymd.gov

 

          Directory Sub-Committee -  Develops the annual MRPA Membership Directory and Buyer's Guide.

          Directory Sub-Committee Chair: 

         

         

• Membership Committee - Develop an annual marketing plan, to include a timeline, for membership retention and new member recruitment including specific recruitment campaigns and promotions. Foster development of a network and opportunities for "Young Professionals" ages 21-35 to develop as future members of the MRPA leadership. Evaluates membership fees and benefits and recommends changes as warranted. In coordination with the MRPA office review and revise membership information to reflect approved changes.

          Committee Chair: Emily Lawrence, MS, CTRS

          M-NCPPC - Prince George's County Parks & Recreation

          Work: (301) 446-3428

          emily.lawrence@pgparks.com

• MRPA Leadership Institute - This recent MRPA initiative is intended to develop future leaders in Recreation and Parks who will take on leadership positions within their organization and in the Maryland Recreation and Park Association. this 6-month program meets for a full day once a month, focusing on various areas of leadership.

          Leadership Institute Chair: Mary Beth Dugan

          M-NCPPC - Montgomery Parks

          Work: (301) 495-2472

          marybeth.dugan@montgomeryparks.org

• Professional Certification Board - Establishes approval process and approve all CEUs for MRPA educational sessions, including Annual State Conference sessions.

            Professional Certification Board Chair: Robert Hicks, CPRP

            Frederick County Parks & Recreation

            Work: (301) 600-1646

           rhicks@frederickcountymd.gov

 

• Professional Standards Committee -  Promotes and encourages professional certification among the membership through active continuing education by recreation and park professionals, volunteers and citizen advocates.

            Committee Chair: Joan Brooks
            Queen Anne's County Recreation Division

            Work: (410) 758-0848 ext. 4709

            jbrooks@qac.org

• Resource Development Committee - Raise funds for the operation of the Association, including scholarships and employment of paid personnel which may be appointed by the Board of Directors. Works with volunteers state-wide to coordinate golf tournaments, the silent auction and other activities for the benefit of the association.

  Committee Co-Chair: Amy Vagnoni
  Frederick County Division of Parks & Recreation
  Work: (301) 600-2383
  avagnoni@frederickcountymd.gov

• Sponsorship Committee Chair: Matt Purkins

            Carroll County Recreation & Parks

            Work (410) 789-1609

            mpurkins@ccg.carr.org 

      

• Scholarship Sub-Committee - Reviews and recommends revisions to establish criteria for scholarships, receives applications through the MRPA office, investigates the merits of each application and make recommendations for the provision of scholarships for individuals who meet the established criteria. Scholarships may be available for trainings including the MRPA and NRPA annual conferences, the MRPA Leadership Academy, and/or other trainings, certifications and internships whereby it benefits both the individual and MRPA.

            Scholarship Committee Chair:  Jennifer Jennings

            Annapolis Recreation & Parks

            Work: (410) 263-7958

            jmjennings@annapolis.gov

      

• Training and Education Committee - Coordinates training opportunities for MRPA members, offering quality training and education options. The committee is comprised of representatives from various disciplines such as Aquatics, Facilities, Parks, Sports, Therapeutic, etc. Promotes professional certification through nationally recognized certifications such as CPRP, CPRE, and aggressively continuing education by recreation and park professionals, volunteers and citizen advocates. Create educational tracks/modules for various levels of the membership (such as Budget & Finance, Supervision, a Program Summit, Parks Maintenance, etc.)  

           Committee Chair:  Laura Wetherald, CPRP

           Howard County Recreation & Parks
           Work: (410) 313-4640
           lwetherald@howardcountymd.gov