November 2009 - Parks & Recreation - 7

P e rsp e c t i v e s

A Message from NRPA's Leaders

Anticipating the Future
Last month I saw the future, and it was exciting. Granted, it was one person's version of what parks and recreation may look like a decade from now, but the view
is compelling. At NRPA's Congress last month in Salt Lake City, renowned futurist Jim Carroll outlined key areas where professionals and citizen advocates can
expect to see major changes in the field. We chose Carroll as keynote speaker
for our opening session as a way to crystallize the conference theme, " Prepare
for the Future Today. " Virtually each of his points held importance for our field.
Even the best speakers quote others, and Carroll's quote by media magnate Rupert Murdoch spoke volumes about how we pursue our mission.
" The future will not be about big beating small, but
fast beating slow. "
And nowhere is this message more applicable than
to the young people entering our field. Considering
that they are in large part a product of the Internet
Age-infinite choices at lightning speed in interconnected ways-it's no wonder they view work differently
today. Carroll's statistics point this out-65 percent of
preschoolers today will pursue careers that do not exist today. For those entering the field today, two to five
years is a long-term career. When you're interviewing
them today, realize that they are looking right through
you: two thirds of them say they are actually thinking
about their next job and not the one for which you are
interviewing them.
Because young professionals are increasingly
more demanding in terms of flexibility, recognition,
and loyalty, senior administrators must also think in
these terms. It's a sure bet they reflect the views and
values of the citizens they will eventually be serving.
As Carroll pointed out, we can expect entirely new
sports and activities to come at us faster and faster,
while " old " sports will evolve in similar ways. Characteristic of a generation fully wired with itself, Carroll
only half kiddingly pictured snowboards with embedded chips and webcams that communicate a good run
down a mountain to the friends and family of its user.
As Carroll explained, if you are not preparing for
the " next economy, " you're way too late.
At NRPA, we're fully committed to the development
of upcoming generations of professionals and citizens.
Check out our new Website (www.nrpa.org), now in
its second phase of development, social media. We
liken it to our own version of Facebook-providing our
many member constituencies and component groups

with their own special sites. You can blog, tweet, and
email with your fellow members on any variety of topics. Importantly, you can now access the most current
NRPA news and information, especially as it applies to
your interests. And we know you prefer not to receive
as much general email from NRPA headquarters. We
believe this will streamline and target communications between headquarters and NRPA's membership.
Coming soon, NRPA staff will be hosting monthly online discussion sessions via the revamped Website. First up, naturally, will be a session for students.
In this session we want to connect students with educators across the country as well as with practicing
professionals. What better way to connect theory
with reality and learners with teachers followed with
a connection to the doers in the field throughout the
nation? That's an approach to the future Jim Carroll
would surely endorse.
In closing, as your Past President, and on behalf of
the NRPA Board of Directors and NRPA Staff, thank
you to the city and county of Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area, plus to all who made the 2009 Congress a
great success: Volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, and
especially to all the attendees.
As I have said many times before, in these challenging economic times parks are more important than
ever in our lives. We must be there for our country's
families and children. I am hopeful you will stand with
us in delivering these essential services.

Because young
professionals are
increasingly more
demanding in
terms of flexibility,
recognition, and
loyalty, senior
administrators
must also think in
these terms. It's
a sure bet they
reflect the views
and values of
the citizens they
will eventually
be serving.

Jodie Adams
NRPA Past President

w w w. NRPA .ORG

November 2009

Parks & Recreation

November 2009 - Parks & Recreation

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