NRPS March 2013 Newsletter

NRPS and Safety

With the warmer weather soon upon us all, it is time to think of safety. I'd like to start with rec-ognizing the work of our Aquatics Commit-tee. Their new chair is Stephanie Chatter-ton and vice-chair is Jessica Millette.

This dedicated group is presenting a Swim and Safety Fair on Saturday, April 6 with the support of the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Pre-vention Coalition (more information at www.nrps.org). Unfortunately, statistics from the Southern Nevada Health Dis-trict tells us that the most fatal incidents around pools happen to children 4 years

old and younger. The majority of the drown-ing and near-drowning incidents in 2012 happened in residential pools (68% versus 32% in public pools). One drowning is too many.

Safety doesn't just happen around the pool. NRPS is also offering a playground safety inspector course the end of April. The Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) cer-tification is for profes-sionals to be able to: identify hazards on public playground equipment and the playground; rank the hazards according to injury potential; and apply the knowledge to remove the haz-ards and establish a system of inspections

and mainte-nance. Check out our website for more details or to register for this course.

So as you get outside to enjoy the warmer weather, think of how parks and recreation is keeping you, your family, and friends safe. Don't forget the sunscreen either!

Take care,

Jayne

President’s Message

NRPS Newsletter

March 2013

NRPS Mission 2

Upcoming Socials 2

Job Postings 3

Aquatics Committee 3

Grant Opportunities 6

NRPS Membership 7

Executive Board 8

Inside this issue:

Special points of in-

terest:

Check out updated

grant information.

Keep an open eye for

socials.

Be sure to submit

photos and articles.

Recruit new mem-

bers!

Our mission is to support and recognize members of the Society and

to promote Recreation and Parks as an essential service in Nevada.

NRPS Vision Statement

We support the National Recreation & Park Association and the benefits of Recreation and Parks for citizens of the State of Nevada. We serve with pride, leadership and professionalism.

We Believe in creativity and innovative problem solving.

We Believe in encouraging and promoting diversity in our membership.

We Believe in recognizing the accomplishments of members and agencies.

We Believe in members’ input to shape our vision through strategic plan-

ning.

We Believe in cooperation, communications, teamwork and consensus

building for the citizens, the Society and the agencies we serve.

If you are interested in setting up a social event for the north or south,

contact your executive board representatives.

For the North contact:

Jen Budge, North VP,

For the South contact:

Felicia Rivera-Baker, South VP

Nevada Parks and Recreation Society Mission

Upcoming North/South Socials and Events

Page 2 March 2013

Aquatics Committee

The NRPS Aquatic Committee is made up of aquatic professionals through-

out the southern Nevada area.

Members meet the 2nd Wednesday every other month to discuss aquatic

trends, programming, staffing, operations and hot topics.

In addition, the committee organizes several events throughout the year;

Health & Safety Expo, Southern Nevada Lifeguard Games and

a Recreational Swim Meet.

Please visit our contact page on NRPS.org if you would like to contact our

board members to receive additional information on any of our events, at-

tending a meeting or becoming a member.

Did you know…

Scholarships are available

for Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Training Instructor, Lifeguard Manage-

ment, Lifeguard Training and CPR/AED classes? Contact 702-595-0010 for

more information.

Page 3 March 2013

CLARK COUNTY

- Recreation Specialist (Outlying Areas)

Starting at 35 or 38k, depending on qualifications

Most communities are currently looking for lifeguards for the upcoming summer

season.

Agency Job Announcements

Page 4 March 2013

The City of Mesquite would like to thank all of the volunteers, organizations and individuals for their help organizing and contributing to the 9th Annual Heart Walk. “It was a tremen-dous success, thanks largely to the generosity of the sponsors, donors and volunteers,” said Nicholas Montoya, Associate Director.

This year’s event attracted 404 participants for the 3.2 mile (5K) walk. We are looking forward to next year’s event as it’s our 10th Annual Walk.

All volunteers, organizations, individuals and community leaders are to be commended for all their generosity and kindness. Mesa View Regional Hospital Marketing Coordinator, Susan Holecheck, praised them all saying, “Their helpful and cheerful attitude made it a great event along with the wonderful weather; it played a big part in it.”

Also grateful for all the help and support, Nicholas Montoya noted all of the sponsors of the program: The City of Mesquite Athletics & Leisure Services Dept, City of Mesquite Police Dept. & the Volunteer Citizen Patrol, Mesa View Regional Hospital Marketing and Admini-stration Staff, Silver Rider Bus Company, Mesa View Medical Group, Bank of Nevada, FIT Physical Therapy, Virgin Valley Home Care & Hospice, Virgin Valley Dental, Mega Pro Screen Printing, Mesa View Physical Therapy, Virgin Valley Little League Baseball, NRPS (Nevada Recreation and Parks Society) and The Valley Presbyterian Church Group.

Mesquite Heart Walk - Thank You

Back from Conference….

A quick trip to CPRS this past month proved to me just how important communicat-ing with fellow recreation professionals can be. While many can grow tired of hearing the same things over and over in educational sessions, there is always a little gold nug-get you can take away from each session, random conversation or handout we are given.

Conferences can be great to refresh, socialize or just get a chance to not be planning an event or hosting a meeting of our own. Many of us in Nevada keep in touch on a regular basis, which makes us aware of how the other departments in the state are do-ing. Hearing the differences in how California operates as well as listening to some or-ganizations are not in as bad of shape anymore is a confidence builder for our own fu-tures in the field.

I, myself, felt re-invigorated after the trip simply by hearing some little things I can do to make my work not only better, but more efficient and cost effective in the long run. Our own conference should achieve the same results in September this year.

Page 5 March 2013

NRPS Election Season will be upon us soon.

Start to think of positions you or someone you know

would be perfect to be nominated for.

Many positions will be open including the President -

Elect, Treasurer, members at large and many more.

We always need some fresh thoughts and ideas on the board so start to talk to

those who have expressed interest in the past and get involved.

As a board member you attend monthly meetings, usually by teleconference, and

become a liaison for all your fellow professionals in the state of Nevada.

Nominations will open soon and new officers will be sworn into their positions

on May 1, 2013.

Be an integral part of the Nevada Parks and Recreation Society!!

NRPS Board Member Elections

The Finish Line Foundation is offering grants to community-based athletic programs that address active lifestyle and team-building issues. Organi-zations committed to helping kids lead healthy, active lives or supporting kids with disabilities or disadvantages are eligible to apply for one of the Finish Line grants.

http://www.finishline.com/youth-foundation-grants/youth-grant,default,pg.html

Note: Grant requests may need to emphasize the mail order capacity of Nevada locations as the Finish Line physical stores are located in the Reno and Las Vegas/Henderson Areas.

Grant Opportunities

Page 6 March 2013

Training Opportunities

Southern Nevada

CPSI course save the date.

The course will be held on April 30 – May 2 in Las Vegas.

Course details to follow.

NRPS Membership

The Nevada Recreation and Parks Society (NRPS) is a non-profit, professional organization, founded in 1958. Its main pur-pose is to promote the growth and development of Nevada recreation and parks. NPRS is affiliated with the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).

NPRS has several levels of membership to meet the needs of all parks and recreation professionals, students, retirees, agencies, and affiliates.

PROFESSIONAL This category includes persons who are or have been employed full time in an executive, leadership or supportive staff capacity within a public or private agency or department of recreation or parks or educational institution. ($30)

RETIRED PROFESSIONAL This category includes any persons over 45 years of age, who has been a Professional Member of NRPS, NRPA, or an NRPA Affiliate for a minimum of ten (10) years and has officially retired from a qualified professional position. ($15)

ASSOCIATE This category includes persons who are employed part time or volunteers within the recreation and parks field, and who subscribe and agree to the aims and objectives of this society. ($15)

STUDENT This category includes persons who are enrolled full time in high school, colleges or universities with an interest in parks and recreation or an allied field. ($10)

AGENCY This category includes the Agency Director and members of the policy or advisory board or commission. Dues are based on full time employee (FTE) equivalent. ($250 – 20 FTE’s or more; $150 – under 20 FTE’s)

ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION AND AFFILIATE This category includes national, state, and local organizations, hospitals, colleges, universities, clubs, and local, state or regional societies and organizations. ($50)

COMMERCIAL This category includes all vendors, commercial and for-profit organizations who subscribe and agree to the aims and objectives of this society. ($50)

HONORARY May be bestowed upon those persons approved by this society’s Executive Board.

Page 7 March 2013

Please send submissions for the

NRPS monthly newsletter to Danny Gleich

[email protected]

We want to hear from you!

Pictures, Articles, Announcements …..

Future Newsletter Announcements

Nevada Recreation and Parks Society

PO Box 97264

Las Vegas, Nevada 89054

President-Jayne Mazurkiewicz, CPRP

Past Pres.-Dirk Richwine, CPRP

Pres. Elect-Pandora Bahlman

Vice Pres. North-Jennifer Budge

Vice Pres. South-Felicia Rivera-Baker

Secretary-Kristy Bekiares

Treasurer-Brady Dehn

Members At Large North- Joel Dunn Danny Gleich

Token Barnthouse

Darrin Price

NRPS Executive Board

Creating Communities Through People, Parks

and Programs!

Nevada Parks and Recreation

Society (NRPS)

Members At Large South- Jeannette Palmer Veronica Reyes

Nick Montoya

Doug Guild

PSP North-Al Rogers

PSC North-Linda Fearnley

PSP South-Shelly Gulotta

PSC South-Dundee Jones

Check out our new website!!!

WWW.NRPS.ORG Contact the President:

E-mail: [email protected]