February 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 6

perspecti
D E PA RTM Eves
NT

A Message from NRPA's Leaders

We Can Do Better

" I

'm no longer a member of NRPA because my agency no longer pays for my

membership. "

What?! I confess I was astonished to hear this. 
Unfortunately, for some NRPA members, this decision is a reality, as evidenced by the recent drop
in membership NRPA has experienced since the
recession began. Until then, a number of agencies
paid some or the entire amount of a professional
membership fee for full-time employees. Now, however, agencies are cutting back on all expenses, including the number of professional memberships
they pay. Thus, we find we have fewer NRPA members at a time when we need them the most.
During a recent NRPA board meeting discussion
on this issue, one board member opined that this
loss of membership was due to low satisfaction. Not
true! In fact, the results of our membership surveys
demonstrate that members believe they receive
great value from NRPA. Instead, those who have left
said that they are unwilling to pay for a membership that was once paid for them. One agency director shared that when he no longer paid for his
staff's membership, none of them opted to pick up
their own costs.
So what does this say about the " profession " ? I
have been proud to represent park and recreation
professionals and citizens because I believe them
when they talk about their passion-their passion
to make a difference. Passion, however, is just part
of the equation for success. We must also have a
national movement and an organization that works
to protect public parks and recreation. NRPA is that
organization, and the only way it survives is if the
members support it.

NRPA is the organization that created and supports the professional certification system to lift up
the profession. NRPA is the organization that accredits agencies that exemplify the best practices of our
field and industry. And, finally, NRPA is the organization that represents the vital interests of public parks
and recreation on Capitol Hill. But we are more than
just what we do-we are the voice of public parks
and recreation in America. We fight for agencies and
the people who work for them. We gather data and
conduct research on the value of parks and recreation, and report it to the media. We rally citizens
and call out politicians when they attempt to wipe out
park and recreation programs and cut staff.
So let's talk numbers. Consider that the cost for a
professional membership is only $145 a year or $12
a month-just 40 cents a day! No matter what your
salary, this hardly seems an economic hardship for
those employed in the field, and it is a very small investment in your future. I realize that if you are reading this article, you received the magazine, and you
are a member in good standing receiving one of
the many benefits of membership. I'm asking you-
as a member of NRPA-to talk to your peers. The
research, education opportunities, and advocacy
NRPA provides the field continue because of you-a
dues paying member. You can't, and shouldn't, carry
the load for those who don't recognize the personal
commitment each of us must make. If those who believe in and are employed by parks and recreation
don't support the national association for park and
recreation, then who will? We can do better.


Barbara Tulipane
Chief Executive Officer

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Parks & Recreation

FEBRUARY 2011

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February 2011 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2011 - Parks & Recreation
