Before You Head to Hutchinson

Be prepared.  Make the most of your time and resources at the 2019 KRPA Conference and Trade Show by sitting down and formulating a plan first.

1)      Download the conference app

The KRPA conference app contains all of the essential information that you will need while attending conference. It has the schedule, the speakers, the vendors, maps for the conference center, and more. You should have received an email inviting you to the app from Crowd Compass. If you did not, please click here to learn how to access the app. Don’t forget to allow push notifications from this app during your time at conference so you don't miss out on any important updates.

2) Review the schedule.

This one’s a no-brainer. Set a goal for what you’d like to learn at the conference, and use the schedule to devise a plan to meet your goal. Make sure to attend conference-wide events such as the keynote speakers. You can log-in to the conference app and save the agenda that you would like to personally schedule for yourself. If you prefer a hard-copy, please remember to print the schedule pdf before you arrive at conference.

Also, make sure you are registered on the KRPA website for the tours (park- FULL, facility and art) or social that you would like to attend.

3) Bring a few extra dollars

·         Food Trucks will be available to purchase lunch on Tuesday from 11:30-1.  We know many of you might arrive early on Tuesday before the opening session beings at 1pm. Food trucks will be in the conference center parking lot to provide you with an opportunity to purchase lunch. The food trucks are from The Traveling Bowl and Comfort and Joy Mobile.

·         Silent Auction Purchases at Trade Show. Don’t forget there will be a silent auction at the Trade Show. Jamie from HutchRec has done an amazing job gathering items for this year's silent auction. It is full of over 95 items from vendors, sports memorabilia, gift cards, and more. You will find a treasure that you might want to take home, so be prepared. 

·         Purchase a $20 Golden Ticket for a chance to win $400. The 2019 KRPA Trade Show fundraiser is the Golden Ticket event. Purchase your $20 Golden Ticket from a KRPA Board member or at the conference registration table when you arrive at conference for your chance to win $400 at the Trade Show. Click here to learn more about the Golden Ticket fundraiser.

4) Find out who’s going

The people you’ll attend sessions with are as important as the sessions themselves. There’s no better time to network with your peers, connect with new KRPA members, or touch base with longtime friends than at a conference.

Connect with KRPA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #KRPAConference to find friends posting about conference. The app also offers a social page and access to reach out directly to other conference attendees.

5) Bring the right gear

·         Pack enough business cards. Make sure you have some business cards handy to share with new contacts.

·         Bring layers of clothes. Conference center rooms notoriously fluctuate in temperatures because of the location or number of session attendees, so dress in layers and you will be prepared for any situation

When You Arrive

6) Come to the registration desk

Don’t get stuck at the registration table and miss your first session. Visit Jamie Reed and her awesome volunteers early to pick up your nametag, your CEU form (if needed) and get any questions answered.

7) Divide and conquer

If you’re attending with coworkers, try and see as much as possible. Splitting up for sessions will maximize how much you’re able to learn and ensure that each of you has unique insights to take back to your company.

On your own?  Discovering how your agency fits into the larger Kansas park and recreation field and how other agencies run, is an invaluable insight. A conference provides a unique opportunity to pick the brains of fellow members and agencies, which leads us to Tip #8.

8) Connect with fellow KRPA Members

Networking with other professionals in your field is a highlight of the KRPA conference and our association. Make time to connect with fellow members. Attend the branch social and meet people in your field of expertise. Exchange information--- when you have questions and need help later in the year, you’ll have the new connections to contact for support.

When you are home and waiting for the 2020 KRPA Conference in Topeka

9) Gather your thoughts

All that information you gathered from sessions and new contacts from the conference and the trade show can quickly be forgotten if not organized right away. Write down your key takeaways. Enter new contacts into your address book. Fill out the KRPA post-conference survey which will be on the app and sent out via email.

10) Prepare to "Create Places in Unexpected Spaces" when you arrive home

Send follow-up notes and LinkedIn requests to your new contacts while the conference is still fresh in your mind. Include a personalized message to accompany your request on LinkedIn. Remember to make yourself memorable by reminding your new contact what you discussed. 

Schedule a team meeting for the week or two after conference. Share the insights you gained at conference that are likely to be useful to your agency. Or, write an email to document the most valuable information. There’s no better place than a conference to take stock of the state of your agency and your profession. 

2019 KRPA Conference and Trade Show App

We’re proud to announce our mobile app for 2019 KRPA Conference and Trade Show is now live and can be downloaded at https://crowd.cc/krpa2019. Download it to your iPhone/iPad/Android device at https://crowd.cc/s/2pv6Q to have all conference information on the go. Then login to access all the features!

The App Game has already started. Explore, use, and connect in the app to earn points. The more you use the app the more points you earn. The winner of the in-app game will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Thank you to our Conference Technology Sponsor, Confluence!

Haven't registered for conference? Don't wait any longer! We don't want you to miss out on this great opportunity starting in just 25 days. This professional development event has a fantastic lineup of speakers and activities. Click here to learn more about the exciting plans for this year’s event and to access registration forms, hotel information and more. For any questions concerning registration, feel free to email the KRPA office. Can't wait to see you in Hutch!

   

Topeka, KS- KRPA members came together today to witness the swearing in of Laura Kelly, KRPA's first executive director, to the position of Kansas Governor. The weather was chilly but many people still came out to witness the exciting event. 

Kelly served as KRPA's executive director from 1986-2003. During her time as director, she moved parks and recreation forward through new educational opportunities, stabilizing the association's budget and moving KRPA's office to Topeka where it still currently resides.

Looking for an opportunity to enhance the future of parks and recreation in Kansas? Apply today to join the KRPA Young Professionals Committee.

The Young Professionals Committee aims to attract and retain young professionals and students in Kansas by providing them with opportunities to enhance their personal and professional skill set through a variety of networking, educational and professional development opportunities.

The committee is looking to fill 3 positions. Committee members will serve a 3-year term that begins in 2019.  Some responsibilities of the Young Professionals Committee are planning of the KRPA Young Professionals Summit, administration of the KRPA Mentor Program and networking events. It only takes a short time to apply! Applications are due no later than December 14, 2018.

Apply Here

The KRPA Board of Directors revised the branch board structure in 2017. The Branch Boards are now structured as a 7 member board (Chair, Vice–Chair, and 5 members at large) for each KRPA Branch. 

Branch board members are expected to serve a three-year term. Board members help communicate to other KRPA members current trends and topics in their branch field. They will also help coordinate with the KRPA office their yearly branch activities: branch conference sessions, mid-year branch workshops, face-to-face meetings, conference calls and networking events. 

Some branch boards have incumbent members, so we are looking to fill:
1 positions for the Sports Branch
0 positions for the Administration Branch
0 positions for the Aquatics Branch
1 positions for the Recreation Branch
0 position for the Parks Branch
2 positions for the Wellness Branch
3 positions for Park Law Enforcement (KPLEA) Branch
*If we receive more nominations than positions available, we will hold an election for that particular branch.

To nominate, please send the below information to Amanda Sterling at
amanda@krpa.org by December 14, 2018:

-Nominee's name
-Nominee's agency
-Nominee's title/position
-Branch
-Years as KRPA Member
-A headshot

For more information regarding Branch Board policy, please visit here.

The Kansas Recreation and Parks Association works to partner with entities that provide valuable resources for our members. KRPA’s goal is to offer programs and services that will not only improve the bottom line but will also increase profitability and operating efficiency. That’s why we are pleased to announce the recent partnership between the KRPA and SSCI.

SSCI's national background check program has become the gold standard for Kansas departments who are seeking a comprehensive and affordable background screening program for their volunteers and employees, and one that also goes beyond just a basic local or national database search. With the support of the KRPA, Kansas parks and recreation departments can be confident in a complete, process that reflects your agencies due diligence.

For the last decade, SSCI has helped agencies nationwide define the specific components used for a comprehensive national criminal background check system that is consistently applicable in every state, for every agency, across the park, recreation, and conservation landscape.

SSCI services 55 United States Olympic national governing bodies (NGBs) as well as more than 3,000 city and county recreation departments across the United States. SSCI’s client base has grown based on the belief that volunteer background checks should be held to the same standards and expectations as a full employment screening. SSCI is a value-based company that works with integrity and purpose, and whose programs bring high levels of proven people, brand and asset protection. SSCI offers innovative technology solutions and an unrelenting commitment to meet the needs of all clients.

Compliance to regulations and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guidelines are essential in the background screening industry. SSCI welcomes the scrutiny of regulation, compliance and ethical corporate standards expected of all "active" members of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS). SSCI is an NAPBS accredited company that validates clients' trust as a market leader and reinforces its promise to minimize liability. Less than two percent of background screening companies have earned this recognition and it is yet another reason SSCI remains a leader in background screening solutions.

KRPA encourages its members to take advantage of SSCI’s experience and knowledge by affording SSCI the opportunity to discuss your background check needs and responsibilities. To obtain information from SSCI, please contact:

Director - Chris Goodman at CGoodman@SSCI2000.com or 866-996-7412

We are excited to announce a new partnership with SSCI! As a KRPA member, your agency will have access to a top-notch National Screening Program and KRPA benefits when you choose SSCI!

KRPA's Board of Directors decided to join the Affinity Partnership because it is a WIN-WIN for our members. We know that quality volunteer background screening is important to all Kansas recreation and park agencies. Their research showed that SSCI offers competitive priced screening options and sets a standard of excellence to protect patrons and agencies. 

Through this partnership, SSCI will donate to KRPA $1 for every background check they perform for any Kansas Park and Recreation Department, District, Recreation Commission or KDWPT. This revenue will go to increase KRPA's forward growth of providing leading-edge professional development opportunities and improved member experience.

Click here to learn more about SSCI.

Dear KRPA Members,

In an effort to inform you of how the policy of the gubernatorial candidates would effect parks and recreation in our communities over the next four to eight years, the Public Policy Committee and KRPA staff developed a list of questions and submitted those to the three major candidates for Governor.

Questions were submitted to each campaign on 28-SEPT with a request to return by 8-OCT, we received one response, from the Laura Kelly campaign.  A follow-up message was sent to both the Orman and Kobach campaigns, as of this letter we have not received a response from either.

On 9-OCT the Public Policy Committee approved a request to the KRPA Board of Directors that the written response from Laura Kelly be provided, with a summary of her responses to the KRPA membership.  On 10-OCT the Board of Directors voted to inform the membership as recommended by the Public Policy Committee.

The Board of Directors strongly encourages you to review the responses from the Kelly Campaign and keep them in consideration as you cast your vote for Governor. As noted in her response, Ms. Kelly served as the Executive Director of our association from 1986-2003 and has proven to be a friend to parks and recreation throughout her time in the State Senate. As stated in her response:

"I will continue to be an advocate for our recreation and park programs as governor. More and more Kansas communities are embracing recreation and park programs that enhance the quality of life available to their families – and attract new business opportunities to their area.”  

Further, Ms Kelly, supports local control, stating:

"Each city in Kansas has its own elected officials, geographic and cultural makeup, and this needs to be reflected in policy.”  "As governor, I will continue to support local governments’ ability to make choices for their community.”

Additionally, Ms.Kelly’s Rural Prosperity plan “includes prioritizing state investments in the Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to enhance our rural communities’ linkages to the state’s natural assets, including lakes and trails.”

We hope you find this information valuable and relevant as you consider your vote this year.  If we receive responses from the Orman or Kobach campaign we will make those available for review as well.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns or questions.

 

Chris Claxton, KRPA Board President

Tony Finlay, KRPA Public Policy Chair

Link to Laura Kelly's Complete Questionnaire Responses: Kansas Recreation and Park Assoc Questionnaire.pdf
Link to Laura Kelly's Rural Prosperity Plan: https://www.laurakellyforkansas.com/issues/rural/

NRPA, with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), offered local park and recreation agencies across the country, Instructor Training Grants for Physical Activity Programs. The Evidence-based physical activity programs, Walk With Ease, Active Living Every Day and Fit & Strong! are beneficial for people with or without chronic conditions, and is especially popular among older adults of all abilities.

The Instructor Training Grants will be used to train staff as instructors in one or more of three programs:

• Walk With Ease
• Active Living Every Day
• Fit & Strong!

Please contact us at HealthyAginginParks@nrpa.org for information on the available training grant opportunities.  A total of 220 Instructor Training grants will be awarded. Grant applications will be accepted from October 8 through November 19, 2018.

Learn More and Apply

The National Association of Park Foundation is hosting a free webinar on September 13th from 2:00-3:00 titled So Your Local Park Foundation Needs a Strong Understanding of Bequests, Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning Gifts.

Featured speaker, Ms. Kasey Coughlin, will be broadcasting from the Law Office of Kasey Coughlin, Villa Park, IL. Ms. Coughlin brings a wealth of experience and understanding on this subject. The NAPE recommends you include Estate Planning into your diverse fund development strategies.

To register for this free webinar, visit https://www.the-napf.org/.