President's Message
Dear AAPRA Members:
Now that we're in the month of March, spring is not far away. I know some of you have experienced a mild winter, others not so much. We should all get out and enjoy the great outdoors in both our work and play.
 As I mentioned in my last message, increasing member engagement in our organization is of utmost importance. I am happy to report we now have approximately 90 members on either a committee or task force. Several of these groups have been very busy over the past couple of months, and I look forward to the fruits of their labor.
Another new procedure your Board implemented this year was for each Board Member to serve as a liaison to the 21 committees and task forces. Based on the results of our February 22nd Board Meeting, this new procedure is working very well.
I am also pleased with the great work our new Executive Director, Jane Adams, has been providing for the Academy. Jane and Andee keep our organization running like clockwork on a regular basis.
We are excited about our revamped website that is almost complete! We wish to establish this website as a source of information for all those who visit it. We would like to thank Sagamore-Venture Publishing staff who helped to make this site what it is. Watch for announcements!
Mark McHenry
President
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Board of Directors Update
Executive Director Jane Adams
The Academy Board of Directors meets four times a year, typically by conference call with one in-person meeting at the NRPA Annual Conference. The most recent meeting, on February 22nd, focused on approving the 2018 AAPRA operating budget and on the strategic objectives as outlined in the Academy’s Work Plan.
The Academy operating budget was approved with $34,000 in total expenditures and $32,600 in revenue from dues, royalties from the Journal of Park & Recreation Administration subscriptions and sponsorship of the Extern Networking Reception. The operating difference of $1,400 will come from the Academy’s operating fund balance, which is $75,000.
President Mark McHenry and President-Elect Carolyn McKnight have confirmed the committee/task force chairs and vice chairs for 2018, along with the members assigned to each. New in 2018, the Board has established a formal link to each committee/task force through the appointment of a Board liaison. The liaison’s role is to provide the link between the committee/task force to the Board, clarifying which issues or decisions should be brought to the Board and participating in the committee/task force meetings. More ....
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Requesting Assistance from Members
Dianne Hoover, Treasurer (2016-2018)
Are you bombarded daily, weekly, annually for donations to worthy causes; membership dues and various other places to contribute your hard-earned cash? Well, the Academy is no exception, and your help is crucial to the Academy’s success.
Through an arduous selection process, you are serving with your peers to raise the level of professionalism, support research and promote the field of Parks and Recreation. Academy services include honoring individuals and agencies who have made a difference through the Pugsley Awards, Legends, and Gold Medal Programs. We are fortunate to receive sponsorships from Musco Lighting, Landscape Structures, Davey Tree and the National Park Foundation to support these annual recognition programs. More ....
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For Your Information – the Academy Externship Program
Linda Kotowski, Externship Committee Chair
Since 1995 when the first two AAPRA externs were selected, 63 park and recreation professionals under the age of 35 have benefited from the Academy’s externship program. This program enables them to interact with and learn from Academy members, former externs, and other individuals who attend the NRPA Annual Conference and its associated meetings. Up to four externs are selected each year, of which two are Ernest T. Atwell diversity externs. They are all paired with Academy members who serve as mentors and facilitate the experience.
Beginning in 2016, former externs who serve as buddies help to enrich the externship by providing tips on how to maximize the experience and sharing what he/she learned as an extern, what worked well, what they would have changed, etc. The mentor-extern-buddy relationships continue beyond the conference as agreed upon by each group. More ....
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Items of Interest
National ParkRx Day
National ParkRx Day will be celebrated across the United States on April 29th to promote the growing movement of prescribing parks and nature to patients to improve human health. The day is also intended to encourage everyone to think of parks and public lands as important parts of a healthy life.
Individuals and agencies alike are encouraged to participate and organize events in their communities. For more information, and resources, visit the Park Rx website, and register your event(s) using this form.
City Parks: America's New Infrastructure
City Parks Alliance released "City Parks: America's New Infrastructure — Resilience," the fourth video in a five-part series documenting the role of parks as critical urban infrastructure. The latest video documents how parks in Nashville, Atlanta, and Houston are working to help mitigate stormwater while adding recreational opportunities and spurring additional private sector investment. Read the full article ...
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News from the Academy Office
- Make sure to pay your dues before the April 30th deadline. NEW: the payment box is located on the top right corner of the Academy Homepage (aapra.org).
- 2018 Directory / Updates as of March 17, 2018
- Please review your bios / pics on the website and send updates to Andee Chestnut.
- Please share your agency accomplishments, resources you have found helpful or other information you feel would be helpful to Academy members. Items for the next newsletter should be sent to the Academy Office by May 4th.
- The deadline for Externship applications is April 27th.
- The deadline for Pottsie Scholarship applications is June 1st.
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American Academy for Park
and Recreation Administration
President - Mark McHenry
President Elect - Carolyn McKnight
Past President - Chris Nunes
Secretary - Amy Hurd
Treasurer - Dianne Hoover
Directors
Brett Wright (2018)*
Karla Henderson (2018)
Michael McCarty (2019)
Ernest Burkeen (2019)
Tracey Crawford (2020)
Terry Schwartz (2020)
*year term expires
Executive Director - Jane Adams
Executive Secretary/Treasurer - Andee Chestnut
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