AmazonSmiles

Please consider supporting KRPA through AmazonSmile while you are making purchases this holiday season. It is very simple and doesn't cost you anything. Just shop through the AmazonSmile webpage, receive the same great deals and Amazon will give back to us. Click the link below to get started:

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7326834

Using the KRPA AmazonSmile website allows you to provide a percentage of your order amount back to our members. You still get Amazon's great prices, prime shipping and more! If you are shopping for presents or great deals, don't forget to use our AmazonSmile site and help provide scholarships to fellow KRPA members to attend our Conference and other events/workshops!  

Paul Lewis is retiring from Dodge City Parks and Recreation after almost 40-years in the park and recreation industry. Paul Lewis has been an active member of KRPA since 1979. He served on the Board of Directors for three years in the early 1990's and then again from 2012-2013. He also serviced on the KRPA Advocacy Committee. Paul has attended the KRPA Conference on an annual basis since the start of his career.

The City of Dodge City will host a reception for Paul on December 12, 2017 from 3-6p.m. at the Santa Fe Depot in Dodge City. Please see invitation here:

TOPEKA, KAN -- Terry Bertel retires from Shawnee County Parks + Recreation after a 33-year career.  Having announced his retirement, Bertels will work his final day with SCP+R on November 9.

In contributing to the parks and recreation profession, Bertels has hosted Kansas Recreation and Park Association conferences and assisted in the planning of a number more. He has furthered the Senior Olympics and the Sunflower State Games in Kansas. He is also appreciated for having mentored a number of co-workers who have advanced in the parks and recreation profession.

“Terry Bertels is not an attention seeker, but his integrity and his quiet, calm, competent leadership style have earned him the respect of all who deal with him,” said John Knight, director, SCP+R. “He has a commitment to his profession and an unwavering desire to serve his peers, co-workers and the patrons of Shawnee County Parks + Recreation.”  Click here to view complete press release on Bertels' retirement.

Shawnee County will host a reception for Bertels on November 8, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the Reynolds Lodge, Lake Shawnee. Click here to view invitation to retirement reception.

Kansas Appleseed is partnering with the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Health Foundation to host five regional Summer Food Service Program Summits across Kansas in November.

Many Parks and Recreation Commissions throughout the state are highly involved in serving summer meals or providing a summer meals location in their communities, and Kansas Appleseed would love for anyone interested in either learning more about the Kansas Kids Table program or learning new innovative tactics to increase participation and overcome obstacles to join!

Here's a fact sheet about the program. 

Agendas and RSVP info can also be found here: http://www.kansaskidstable.org/2017-agenda.html

The dates and locations are as follows: 
- Dodge City, November 7
- Oakley, November 8
- Iola, November 13
- Salina, November 14
- Bonner Springs, November 16

KRPA is on the road for our Annual President't Tour. This year, Kelby Hellwig (KRPA President) along with some KRPA staff are touring some southeast Kansas agencies. They started their tour yesterday (October 23, 2017) and will conclude today. Remember to read the winter editions of the KRPA Today magazine to be published in January to hear all about Kelby's experience and what he learned on his President's Tour. #LoveKSParkRec

Health and Wellness is a growing area in the park and recreation profession. As the Recreation and Park profession changes, our association needs to stay relevant to the needs of our members.  Therefore, the KRPA board has voted to change the TR/Aging branch to the Wellness branch.

Our branches contribute to the educational sessions at the KRPA conference, host workshops and provide networking opportunities for our members to meet others in similar areas of the profession. We will continue to provide educational sessions geared toward TR and aging but will broaden the education to include more health and wellness opportunities.

We encourage all members who have an interest or job responsibilities related to wellness to consider running for the branch board. We hope to make this branch a huge success.

Thank you,

KRPA is excited to release a new Kansas Park and Recreation Promotional video. With the help from our friends at Feature Group, we have put together a video to showcase what Parks and Recreation bring to Kansas communities. We, at KRPA, desire to a vibrant Parks and Recreation program in very Kansas community. To access the toolkit, click here.

The 2018 KRPA Conference and Trade Show registration is now open. The Conference will be on January 23-25, 2018 in Wichita, KS. This is the 70th year for the KRPA Conference. We will be "Riding the Wings of Change." Click here to register.

The 2018 CPSI Course and Exam registration is also open. The course will be March 6 & 7, 2018 in Shawnee, KS, and the exam will follow on March 8th. Click here to register.

We knew we had the best Park and Rec professionals in the country but the strongest too?!? #KansasProud #LoveKSParkRec