Activating FRPA

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In May 2023, 25 of professionals met for two days at the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, Florida, to set about the work of creating the Association’s strategic plan for the 2023-2025 timeframe. The Collaborative Labs of St. Pete College assisted in facilitating the work of this retreat.  The process allowed that everyone present contributed and was heard throughout the two-day period.  

FRPA is comprised of individual professionals; agencies and organizations whose purpose it is to protect open spaces and provide recreational and cultural services to the public; and corporate partners and allied organizations who support our mission. At the center of FRPA’s work is a passion and commitment to insure our industry is recognized, valued, and supported by users, advocates and decision makers.  To accomplish this, FRPA must have influence, and to have influence FRPA must be credible.

The products of this Retreat can be broken down into three categories: 

Activating FRPA’s Influence and Credibility

Activating Our Profession

Activating Our Professionals

During the 2024 Annual Conference, the FRPA Board of Directors reported out about how this plan will proceed. You can watch a recap of that session here . Below you can read more about how these goals will be attained.

Missed the session at Conference? Check it out here!

   Download the one page summary of the plan. 

 

ACTIVATING
FRPA'S
INFLUENCE AND CREDIBILITY

Subject Matter Expert Workgroup (Renamed "Subject Matter Resource") –  2024
Chair: Lara Khoury, Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts
Board Liaison: Rebecca Schnirman, Palm Beach Co Parks and Recreation
PURPOSE: To advance the Association’s goal of supplying Subject Matter Experts available to be called upon to speak on behalf of the Association in a variety of settings in order to advance the profession and to activate FRPA’s influence and credibility.
UPDATE: With the direction of the workgroup placed in charge of this, we are happy to present the Subject Matter Resources Directory. This new directory will allow members to connect with other members who may have more knowledge or experience than them in particular areas. This connection can be used in an informal way such as a phone call to get some advice on a particular subject, ask for a presentation to staff or community groups, or collaboration on a project.

The Directory is able to be filtered by subject, how the person is able to help, and area of the state.

The Subject Matter Resource Directory is a self-selected directory, meaning the users themselves have opted in to be contacted about the subjects listed on their profile. There is not a formal vetting process by FRPA; that is on the user to talk with the person or ask for a reference (if engaging them in something larger, like a presentation).  

To add the subject(s) you feel comfortable being a resource for, follow the steps below or watch this video:

-Log into your Member Compass.
-Click “Profile” on the left hand menu
-Scroll down to the section titled “Subject Matter Resource Directory”
-Opt-in by selecting “Yes” under the question, “Include in Resource Directory?”.
-Click into the “Resource Delivery” box and click on each way you could potentially deliver help. Do not commit to something you merely have an interest in; whatever you choose you should be able to speak to another person about, with knowledge and experience.
-Click into the “Subject Resources” box and again click on the area(s) you can serve as a resource for.
-Fill out any other information you would like the viewer to notice about you (ex: education, your LinkedIn profile, awards achieved, volunteer work, etc.)
-Scroll back up and push “Save” on the top right.
-Go to the Subject Matter Resources Directory and check your information. 

If you notice any kinks or think a particular subject should be added to the list, please let us know and we can make adjustments. Thank you in advance for taking the time to check this out and input your information.

Legislative Committee – 2024 and 2025
Chair: Fred Couceyro, Coral Gables Recreation and Parts
Board Liaison: Charlotte Presensky, Palm Beach Gardens Recreation
PURPOSE: To advance the Association’s legislative agenda, and review corresponding regulations within state agencies that may impact local government agencies.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: It is the responsibility of the committee to develop resources to assist FRPA members in preparing to address legislative issues with elected officials; to annually review the legislative webpage within the Association website to insure information is relevant and current; to meet annually to discuss issues to be included on the Association’s legislative platform; to meet regularly during session to keep abreast of action needed on issues of relevance; and other duties required to facilitate appropriate representation of the Association’s legislative agenda.

ACTIVATING
THE
PROFESSION

Connections – Late 2024 and 2025
PURPOSE: To advance the Association’s goal of advancing the professionals through social connections.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: This work will be done under the umbrella of the existing Membership Committee to allow for cohesion between the work of this committee and outreach to the field. 

ACTIVATING 
THE
PROFESSIONAL

Career Mapping Task Force – 2024-2025
Chair: Lucille Vaillancourt-Kreider, Cape Coral Parks and Recreation
Board Liaison: Terrell Griffin, Haines City Parks and Recreation

PURPOSE: To advance the Association’s goal of activating the professionals by creating a method to develop individuals into our field and to show a clear path to excel in the field.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: It is the responsibility of the task force to identify segments within the field where a defined and specific career path can be identified, and create resources to promote those pathways in order that professionals see future career advancement and sustainability in the field of parks and recreation.

Pipeline Workgroup – 2024-2025
Chair: Shannon Ryan, Plantation Parks and Recreation
Board Liaison:  Terrell Griffin, Haines City Parks and Recreation
PURPOSE: To develop a plan to partner with educational institutions for the purpose of promoting workforce pipelines into the field of parks and recreation.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: It is the responsibility of the workgroup to develop a plan to begin working with educational institutions to demonstrate the pipelines that feed entry into the field of parks and recreation, and to demonstrate the career maps that exist for long term careers in the field. This workgroup will work parallel to the Career Mapping Task Force when developing resources.

 
If you would like to get involved in the work of any of the above items, please reach out to Eleanor at FRPA (eleanor@frpa.org or 850-878-3221). It takes a team to accomplish great things and if anyone knows anything about teamwork it's park and recreation professionals! We hope you'll join in this journey!

  

   

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