 |
|
HISTORY/BACKGROUND
The organization was originally founded as the Baltimore Recreation Society in 1945. Hope Godwin, employed by the Baltimore City Bureau of Recreation, was the first president. In 1950, the society expanded to include recreation professionals throughout the state of Maryland and changed its name to the Maryland Recreation Society. In 1960, the society once again changed its name to better reflect its membership. The new name was the Maryland Recreation and Parks Society. The current name, The Maryland Recreation and Parks Association, Inc. was formally adopted in 1973.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Download a copy of the
Strategic Plan.
(Back to Top)
MRPA STAFF
D. Thomas Ross, Executive Director
tom@mrpanet.org
Diane Collins, Administrative Assistant
diane@mrpanet.org
Adrienne Varieur, Administrative Aide
adrienne@mrpanet.org
(Back to Top)
2010-2011 OFFICERS
President
Thomas J. Shuster, CPRP
Town of Ocean City
Recreation & Parks Dept.
200 - 125th Street
Ocean City, MD 21842
Work: (410) 250-0125
Fax: (410) 250-5409
tshuster@ococean.com
President Elect
Joseph P. O'Neill
M-NCPPC - Prince George's Co.
1500 Merrimac Drive
Hyattsville, MD 20783
Work: (301) 408-4320
joe.oneill@pgpgarks.com
Past President
Jeanette M.S. Tansey
Baltimore County
Department of Recreation & Parks
105 W. Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 302
Towson, MD 21204
Work: (410) 832-3824
Fax: (410) 825-5304
jtansey@baltimorecountymd.gov
Vice President
Sandra L. Trent
DNR - Program Open Space
580 Taylor Avenue E-4
Annapolis, MD 21401
Work: (410) 260-8436
Fax: (410) 260-8404
strent@dnr.state.md.us
Past Secretary/Treasurer
Teresa M. Hilton
Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks
7120 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21046
Work: (410) 313-4630
Fax: (410) 313-7465
thilton@howardcountymd.gov
Secretary/Treasurer
Alice Legare-Martinek
City of Bowie
2614 Kenhill Drive
Bowie, MD 20715
Work: (301) 262-6200
rangerdesk@cityofbowie.org
Secretary/Treasurer Elect
Skip Gormley
M-NCPPC - Prince George's Co.
4012 Webster Street
North Brentwood, MD 20722
Work: (301) 864-0756
Fax: (301) 779-8381
henry.gormley@pgparks.com
PARC Branch Chair
Bob Branham
Calvert County
Division of Parks & Recreation
175 Main Street, Courthouse
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Work: (410) 257-2554
FAX: (410) 257-2860
branharm@co.cal.md.us
RALS Branch Chair
Matt Purkins
Carroll County
Department of Recreation & Parks
2225 Littlestown Pike
Westminster, MD 21158
Work: (410) 857-4832
mpurkins@ccg.carr.org
TR Branch Chair
JoAnn Cason, CTRS
Baltimore City
Department of Recreation and Parks
3001 East Drive - Druid Hill Park
Baltimore, MD 21217
Work: (410) 396-2920
Fax: (410) 675-0383
joann.cason@baltimorecity.gov
MARC Delegation
Michele Potter
City of Gaithersburg
Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Culture
506 South Frederick Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Work: (301) 258-6350 X116
FAX: (301) 948-8364
mpotter@gaithersburgmd.gov
MARC Delegation
Adriane Clutter
M-NCPPC - Prince George's Co.
7833 Walker Drive, Suite 110
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Work: (301) 446-3417
FAX: (301) 446-3401
adriane.clutter@pgparks.com
MARC Delegation
Anthony Potts
M-NCPPC - Prince George's Co.
Work: (301) 203-6018
anthony.potts@pgparks.com
(Back to Top)
2010-2011 COMMITTEES
There are also several committees that are behind the great membership benefits that MRPA offers. There is plenty of room for involvement on each!
- 2020 Committee
The MRPA 2020 Committee is responsible for the development and monitoring of the Association’s Strategic Plan, reviewing and updating all the policies and procedures, for assessing and providing recommendations on the organizational structure of the Association including changes to the constitution and bylaws related to governance, assists the President and Executive Director in informing and advising the various Branches and Committees of their responsibilities, and providing a look into the future structure of the Association to help build and maintain a viable membership.
Committee Chair: Dave Goodwin
Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation
702 North Tollgate Road
Bel Air, MD 21014-2482
Phone: (410) 638-3571
Fax: (410) 879-5082
djgoodwin@harfordcountymd.gov
- Conference Committee
The MRPA Annual Conference is a gathering of professionals, volunteers, board members and
vendors from across the state and region. It is an opportunity to attend a veritable plethora of
educational sessions on areas of interest to the parks and recreation profession, a chance to
network with your peers and a time to acknowledge outstanding accomplishments of both
departments and individuals as we recognize our annual award recipients. The conference is planned by a volunteer committee and there is plenty of room for involvement! If you are interested in working on the 2006 conference, please contact the conference chair.
Committee Chair: Teresa M. Hilton
Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks
7120 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: (410) 313-4630
Fax: (410) 313-7465
thilton@howardcountymd.gov
- Finance Committee
Committee Responsibilities: 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: Dave Goodwin
Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation
702 North Tollgate Road
Bel Air, MD 21014-2482
Phone: (410) 638-3571
Fax: (410) 879-5082
djgoodwin@harfordcountymd.gov
- Interagency Committee
This committee's charge is to foster communication and coordination between various organizations involved in the delivery of recreation and park related services. The Maryland Association of Counties, Maryland Municipal League, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA and YWCA are examples. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact the committee chair.
Committee Chair: Paul Dial
Frederick County Division of Parks & Recreation
118 North Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: (301) 600-1652
Fax: (301) 600-2595
pdial@frederickcountymd.gov
- Legislative Committee
Committee Responsibilities: Develop a network and procedures to track and monitor state wide legislation prior to and during the January through April Maryland General Assembly session. Develop a list of issues and concerns for the upcoming legislative session. Determine strategy for communicating the above to the appropriate parties. This may include but is not limited to a platform brochure, legislative reception and other promotional events. Develop a state wide network to seek input and request assistance of key officials representing local recreation and parks departments. This network may also involve resources from the Maryland Association of Counties, Maryland Municipal League and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Maintain a log of pending legislation which includes a brief description of each bill, its sponsor/s, committee assignment, hearing date and status. Conduct meetings on a regular basis during the session to review and respond to bills and develop a course of action. Develop and implement testimony strategy for each bill based upon committee consensus. i.e. writing testimony, organize panels, etc. Develop proactive bills when appropriate that will benefit parks and recreation. Design and implement specific strategies to seek favorable support of such bills. This may include seeking legislators who are willing to sponsor and introduce bills, seeking support from appointed local and state officials, undertaking a state wide campaign to solicit grass roots support and providing testimony before the general assembly. Monitor and provide appropriate response for national legislative issues.
Committee Chair: Jeffrey Smith
8604 Saxon Circle
Nottingham, MD 21236
Phone: (410) 933-0610
jeffwsmith@verizon.net
- Marketing and Communications Committee
Committee Responsibilities: Solicit articles of interest to the recreation and parks industry as well as association news for publication in the MRPA monthly newsletter. Develop and maintain content for the MRPA web site. Develop the annual MRPA Membership Directory and Buyer's Guide. Prepare and distribute news releases to promote activities of the association.
Committee Chair: Craig Kellstrom
M-NCPPC - Prince George's Co.
7833 Walker Drive #110
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: (301) 446-3308
Fax: (301) 864-4367
craigm.kellstrom@pgparks.com
Awards Sub-Committee Chair: Wendy Donley
M-NCPPC - Prince George's County
Wells/Linson Complex
5211 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740
Phone: (301) 277-3717
Fax: (301) 277-3186
wendy.donley@pgparks.com
Directory Sub-Committee Chair: Barbara Lages
bjlages24@aol.com
- Membership Committee
Committee Responsibilities: Develop an annual marketing plan, to include a timeline, for membership retention and new member recruitment. This plan should include specific recruitment campaigns and promotions.
Define, evaluate and promote existing membership benefits. Evaluate, on an annual basis, the membership fees and make any recommended changes to the board of directors. Research and develop new member benefits. Review and make any necessary revisions to the membership application, letters and membership brochure. Changes in the membership application should be coordinated with the administrative office. Develop and implement research tools, i.e. surveys, focus groups, etc. to solicit input from the membership regarding the direction of the association. Coordinate with the administrative office the distribution and processing of all membership forms.
Committee Co-Chair:Marybeth Dugan
M-NCPPC - Prince George's County
7833 Walker Drive, Suite 110
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: (301) 446-3321
marybeth.dugan@pgparks.com
- Professional Certification Board
The Professional Certification Board approves all MRPA educational sessions, including annual conference sessions, for CEUs.
Professional Certification Board Chair:
Paul D. Meadows, CPRP
Calvert County Division of Parks & Recreation
175 Main Street, Courthouse
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Phone: (410) 535-1600 x2223
Fax: (410) 535-2233
medowpd@co.cal.md.us
- Professional Standards Committee
Committee Responsibilities: Promote and encourage professional certification among the membership by educating agencies and individuals. Develop an annual marketing plan, to include certification (CPRP, APRP, PPRP, RPRP) recruitment. Plan should include specific campaigns and promotions. Promote active continuing education by recreation and park professionals, volunteers and citizen advocates.
- Resource Development Committee
The Resource Development Committee shall be responsible for the raising of funds for the operation of the Association, including scholarships and he employment of paid personnel which may be appointed by the Board of Directors. The Scholarship Sub-committee shall receive applications, investigate the merits of each application and select those persons they feel should receive scholarships.
Committee Co-Chair: Philip L. Bryan, CPRP
Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks
7120 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21046-1677
Phone: (410) 313-1668
pbryan@howardcountymd.gov
Committee Co-Chair: Ron Schroers
Westminster City
Department of Recreation & Parks
56 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: (410) 848-6962
Fax: (410) 848-8310
rschroers@westgov.com
Scholarship Sub-Committee Chair: Tina Shubert
Montgomery County Recreation Department
4010 Randolph Road
Silver Spring, MD 20902
Phone: (240) 777-6883
Fax: (240) 777-6890
tina.shubert@montgomerycountymd.gov
Scholarship Sub-Committee Chair: Vanessa Williams
Vanessa A. Williams
Frostburg State University
Phone: (410) 455-7824
vanawill310@yahoo.com
- Training and Education Committee
Committee Chair: Matt Madera, CPRP
Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks
Glenwood Comm. Center, 2400 Route 97
Cooksville, MD 21723
Phone: (410) 313-4844
Fax: (414) 313-4846
mmadera@howardcountymd.gov
(Back to Top)
STRATEGIC PLAN
Mission
The purpose of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association, Inc. is to unite recreation and park professionals and citizen advocates to advance park, recreation and environmental conservation efforts through networking, development and training, and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Marylanders.
Goals and Objectives
Development and Training
- Goal #1: Educate recreation and park professionals, lay persons and volunteers regarding future trends and current issues reflective of the recreation and park movement to enable them to provide the best service to the user and the best management of the resource.
- Goal #2: Provide a high quality level of instruction to recreation and park professionals, lay persons and volunteers at locations easily and strategically accessible to the members of the profession throughout the state.
- Goal #3: Promote programs that insure new professionals coming into the profession are trained and prepared to meet the needs of the different agencies.
Networking
- Goal #1: Provide opportunities for park professionals, lay persons and volunteers to share common interests, concerns and ideas through organized activities.
- Goal #2: Create effective multiple communications lines whereby all individuals, organizations and groups involved in the business of recreation and parks have opportunities to share common interests, concerns and ideas.
Advocacy
- Goal #1: Promote to the general public and the elected representatives the multiple benefits and quality of life that recreation and parks provides within the state of Maryland.
- Goal #2: Actively lobby federal, state and elected officials for the recreation and parks movement and it's resulting multiple benefits.
- Goal #3: Develop partnerships with organizations that support in whole or in part the mission of the association.
Member Services
- Goal #1: Provide an efficient, trained, courteous, and responsive staff to meet the member's needs.
- Goal #2: Promote sponsorship and alternative funding means to reduce costs to members to attend and participate in Association activities.
- Goal #3: Promote and increase a membership that is reflective of the users and providers of the programs, properties and facilities provided by and managed by the recreation and parks profession.
(Back to Top)
|
|