2026 Micro-Certification: Relational Leadership

Micro-Certification in Relationship Building to Increase Value in Parks and Recreation

Goal: To empower professionals in the field of parks and recreation with the knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate mastery in relationship building, thereby showcasing the fundamental value of parks and recreation to a community.

Mission: The Kansas Recreation and Park Association's Micro-Certification Program is dedicated to elevating professionalism in the field of parks and recreation by providing a comprehensive and specialized curriculum focused on relationship building. Our mission is to equip professionals with the tools and expertise needed to forge meaningful connections within their communities, fostering a deep appreciation for the intrinsic value that parks and recreation bring to individuals, families, and the community at large. Through this program, participants will develop the competencies required to showcase the transformative impact of parks and recreation, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents across Kansas.

Program Details

- Throughout the course, participants are asked to engage in micro task (such as bi-weekly activity challenges, LinkedIn Private Group posts, 2 virtual events, attend 1 of the free in-person KRPA Regional Education Symposiums, peer-to-peer connections and complete 2 reading reflections) 

- Networking: An excellent chance to connect with fellow professionals and share experiences.

- Earn CEUs: Participants will be eligible to earn CEUs based upon their participation in the program with the potential for up to .5 CEUs.

- Cost: $199

Reading Reflections: Participants are required to read 2 books from a selection of books given by KRPA and write a short reflection on your key takeaways. First book is to be completed by August 31st and second book to be completed by November 16th. Audio books are very welcome, and many of the books are available at your local library or through the Libby or Hoopla app for free.


What Participants Are Saying

"I really enjoyed the program! It helped me see things from different perspectives and provided tools necessary to assist in communicating with our stakeholders." 
– Monica

"This course allowed me to dive deep into why we do what we do, why we are passionate about Parks and Recreation, and the value we add to our communities. I learned how to build personal connections and improve my communication skills—not just with patrons, but also with elected officials and coworkers." 
– Michael

Program Timeline

Participants must attend ONE of the Regional Member Meetings on: 

Weekly Tasks Begins: April 14

* Tasks are sent out on Tuesdays and expected to be completed by the following Monday.

April – July

Interior Relational Leadership

  • Self-awareness and leadership mindset

  • Delegation and trust-building

  • Communication and emotional intelligence

  • Clarifying personal leadership values

May (Virtual Webinar)
Webinar Title: Delegation by Design
Webinar Speaker: Annie Frisoli, Founder & CEO of Creating Community LLC, is an accomplished leader and expert in fostering leadership, culture, and effective communication. With nearly 20 years as a university faculty member in parks, recreation, and event management, Annie now channels her passion into hosting impactful staff development workshops and consulting with organizations to design thriving work cultures. She is known nationally for her high-energy facilitation style and practical, people-centered approach. 
Description: Relational leadership recognizes that leadership is not about doing more, it’s about developing others through trust, clarity, and shared ownership. Effective delegation is one of the most powerful ways leaders strengthen relationships, build capability, and create sustainable performance. This webinar focuses on delegating with intention rather than urgency. Participants will learn how to design delegation practices that balance authority and accountability while maintaining strong working relationships. Through practical tools and real-world application, leaders will explore how trust, communication, and support systems directly influence delegation success.

August – November

Exterior Relational Leadership

  • Strategic partnerships

  • Community relationships

  • Messaging and influence

  • Advocacy and stakeholder engagement

Week of August 3 (Virtual Webinar)
Webinar Title:  Unlock the Power of Strategic Partnerships
Speaker: Kevin Grothe has more than 35 years of experience in sales, marketing, and partnership development. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of Memphis in May International Festival, where he helped grow sponsorship revenue from $1 million to more than $2.8 million through innovative partnership strategies. Known for his energetic and relatable facilitation style, Kevin specializes in building long-term, high-impact strategic partnerships and coaching organizations on sustainable, relationship-driven growth. 
Description: Relational leadership is built on trust, connection, and the ability to create meaningful collaboration beyond organizational boundaries. In today’s complex and interconnected environment, strong leaders don’t work in silos, they build strategic partnerships that amplify impact and create shared value. This webinar explores how relational leadership shows up through intentional partnership building. Participants will learn how to identify, design, and sustain partnerships that are rooted in mutual benefit, aligned purpose, and long-term relationship strength.

Questions?

Please contact the KRPA office at (785) 235-6533.


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