 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
Phone 850.878.3221 |
A new era has begun for our Association, beginning with the 2004 Annual Conference. A new Board of Directors has been installed which will move our Association forward, embracing our new structure, conducting business in a more efficient and effective manner. The FRPA executive staff has been reorganized to serve specific needs of our new Regions and Sections. Eleanor Warmack, our Executive Director, wrote in this summer's FRPA Journal about this. She said: "We will continue to move forward into a new era of FRPA, educating new and future leaders around a structure that will prove to be successful." Our Legislative Platform is increasingly more difficult to promote, as more and more people compete for fewer state and federal dollars. Our voices need to be elevated, and our message concise. This year's Legislative Platform includes:
The realization of our dreams is our most lofty ambition, and our success will be measured against our ability to attain goals, and to accomplish our dreams. The obstacles in our path are monumental. The problems we address are staggering, both in their depth and stamina.
American's increasingly sedentary lifestyle is proliferating the fact of obesity, not just in adults, but also at an alarming rate in our children. The fight against the battle of the bulge will be fought by investing in local parks, recreation centers, athletic fields and hiking trails. As we work with NRPA in this regard, Florida professionals are in the forefront of the fight against obesity, at home and in the nation. The allocation of space for recreation is crucial, and is already a political issue. Should national parks be open to commercial and recreational development? Should the parks be more restricted to cause less damage and preserve land? These are complex and difficult issues at a time when the national budget is overly stressed and funding is scarce. It is imperative, now more then ever, that we pull together and work to strengthen our Association for the benefit of all our members. I look forward to the year ahead of me, serving as your President and working with such a strong and dynamic Board of Directors. I am confident in their abilities and their dedication toward our Association. Together we will accomplish our dreams and goals. Elaine Smith, CPRP
|
|
|
|
||
