Benefits of Memberships

Benefits of Membership

KRPA is a statewide professional association of more than 1,500 members that is dedicated to supporting agencies, individual professionals, citizens, and communities in the parks, recreation, and leisure services professions. Created in 1948, KRPA is comprised of citizens and professionals striving to provide quality recreation opportunities for all Kansans, while protecting and preserving the state’s natural resources so generations to come can experience Kansas as it is today. Benefits for members include educational opportunities and professional development, networking opportunities, as well as an ongoing collaborative effort to enhance the value and perception of our industry.

Membership Directory

Published in the KRPA Today magazine. The KRPA Membership Directory section of the magazine serves as an updated contact source for professionals, agencies and commercial vendors throughout the state.

Online Membership Directory

The Kansas Recreation and Park Association's Online Membership Directory serves as an online source for its members to communicate via e-mail with other members. It contains many search options to find professionals by name, city, agency, job function, KRPA Branch, and KRPA Region. In addition, it offers the members an on-line membership renewal option.

Magazine

The Kansas Recreation and Park Association Magazine - KRPA Today - is published quarterly and mailed to the membership as a benefit of belonging to KRPA. The magazine reports on industry news of interest and offers updates on state agency achievements, legislative issues and calendar of events. KRPA members can also submit articles to be published.

Government Representation

KRPA is the recognized voice of advocacy on behalf of parks and recreation and leisure services in Kansas. Our goal is to represent the needs of our professionals in the Kansas Statehouse and work with policy-makers as a resource of information and advice regarding issues impacting our profession. We are represented during the legislative session by a professional lobbyist, the executive director and utilize a public policy committee of KRPA members to provide guidance and influence legislation and regulations.

Leadership Opportunities

You will have numerous opportunities to develop leadership abilities and build credentials in the parks, recreation and leisure services field. Leadership opportunities are available through a variety of categories as members of the KRPA board of directors.

Professional Development

KRPA provides opportunities for CEU’s for the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) through the many educational workshops and conferences it offers members each year. The Kansas Recreation and Park Association hosts the Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) course, and the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) course.

Association members have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills at our annual three-day Tomorrow's Leaders Institute at Tall Oaks Conference Center in Linwood. The KRPA Tomorrow's Leaders Institute develops a comprehensive educational program each year that challenges attendees in specific aspects of park and recreation leadership. In addition, the program provides opportunities for networking with other professionals from around the state.

KRPA joins with Missouri Park and Recreation Association to host an Executive Forum. The two state associations have partnered to present this dynamic leadership conference which targets upper-level management professionals in key decision-making positions within public agencies in Kansas and Missouri providing parks, recreation and similar community services.

State Conference

Park and recreation professionals from throughout Kansas gather each year for four days of educational sessions and networking opportunities at the annual KRPA Conference and Trade Show. The conference offers more than 60 educational sessions, a trade show and numerous social functions allowing for networking with fellow professionals.

Professional Development Grants

The KRPA Scholarship Association distributes grants to assist professionals in attending state and national training programs through the Larry Heeb Professional Development Fund.

Awards and Honors

Outstanding leaders and members are recognized for their contributions at the annual KRPA Conference and Trade Show. In addition, former leaders are inducted into the KRPA Hall of Fame. The KRPA Awards Committee provides the organization for the awards program.

Professional Staff

The KRPA executive office is eager and anxious to assist you and respond to your questions. Our goal is to be a valuable resource in advocating, communicating and educating on behalf of our entire membership. KRPA can help you connect with other agencies, vendors, organizations and individuals who have the answers, skills or the materials you need to make your job easier and more fun.

Online Education

KRPA provides members online education opportunities. Teaming with associations from around the nations, KRPA provides dynamic sessions of education topics to improve parks and recreation across Kansas.

Recreation Commission Board Training

For recreation commissions, KRPA will provide an experienced member to meet with your recreation commission board and conduct a board orientation or educational session on the responsibility of the board members and governance of recreation commissions. Agencies may choose to do an overall board training that includes board functions, board roles and responsibilities, and conducting an effective board meeting. Additionally, if your agency wants to focus on one issue that your board is facing, KRPA has a wealth of knowledgeable members that can work with your board and address any concerns. To take advantage of this member benefit, please contact Jamie Reed, jamie@krpa.org.

Buyer's Guide

Upon request, KRPA can provide agency members with a list of commercial members and exhibitors filtered by their services. To take advantage of this member benefit, please contact Jamie Reed, jamie@krpa.org.

Additional Member Benefits

Build your work experience and network with other students and professionals in the parks and recreation field.
Network with other professionals in Kansas who share your interests and challenges.
Receive our publications which include the regular e-blasts and enewsletters which includes up to the minute information on members, programs, legislation, and advocacy as well as the KRPA Today quarterly magazine, and an annual Membership Listing in the KRPA Today magazine.
Search for career opportunities or job openings in the area.
Strengthen and advance park and recreation issues through the legislature and throughout the community.
Take advantage of cutting edge professional development opportunities such as the annual KRPA Conference and Trade Show and our Tomorrow’s Leaders Institute, which is designed for the future leaders of our industry. Earn CEU credits by attending our AFO or CPSI workshops or one of our high-level training workshops sponsored through our eight branch organizations. Each conference or workshop is focused to offer education featuring the latest trends in the industry.

Join KRPA at one of these links:

Individual and Organization Membership Application - Join online as an individual member for parks and recreation professionals, and organizations.
Student Membership Application - Join online for full time students.
Agency Membership Application - Join online as an agency member for parks and recreation agencies.
Corporate Partnership Application - Join online in the Corporate Partnership Program that includes a commercial membership and exhibit booth opportunities for companies that sell products and/or services to parks and recreation agencies.