ASPA Hosting Professional Development Workshop for New Professionals

You know the time will come when you will advance to a new level in your career. Whether it is a change in accountability, authority, job perspective or management, you want to be ready to make a smooth transition. Join your colleagues on Wednesday, October 6 in Washington DC for a highly-interactive workshop “Preparing Yourself for the Next Level of Your Career.”  Michael Card has put together a great program.  Those of you who have attended his workshops at recent ASPA conferences already know what I’m talking about.  It’s a full day program for $99.  We’ll also feed you lunch.

This program is in less than three weeks and seating is limited to ninety participants.  Please reserve your spot today to ensure the best rate possible. 

Here’s the link to sign up – Register.
Here’s a link for a flyer promoting the event – Flyer.

What’s a Pracademic?

It’s been years since I first heard the term “pracademic” and I’m still no closer to understanding the term.  Is it someone who works, or has worked, in academia and government?  Is it someone who works in government and occasionally teaches as an adjunct?  Is it a professor who also consults for, or serves on, the board of a nonprofit organization?  None of the above?

Multiple members and leaders of ASPA have suggested that ASPA consider specific programming for this segment of our membership. But before we do, it’s important to identify who we are talking about. For that matter, is it a demographic classification or an area of interest?

If you are a self-styled pracademic, please take a moment and let us know what type of programming and services appeal to you.  Is it something we are already doing, not doing at all, or need to be doing better? 

Please respond to this post, or if you prefer, contact me directly at mrankin@aspanet.org.

Best,

Matt Rankin
ASPA Deputy Director

Final Thoughts on the 2010 ASPA Annual Conference

I know I’m supposed to say this, but what a great conference! Packed plenary sessions for John Berry, Paul Volcker, and Richard Stillman. Inspiring guest speakers and awardees. Last night at the receptions, I asked a few first-time attendees why they came this year. More often than not, they said that they heard about how good last year’s conference was in Miami. I think that bodes well for 2011 in Baltimore. That, and the fact that we had 1,000 attendees in San Jose – a 10% increase from last year. I can’t wait to see what the 2011 conference chairs and committee will cook-up for Baltimore. I’m getting ahead of myself…we still have a closing plenary to look forward to this morning.

Personal highlights for this year’s conference include the welcome reception at the Tech Center, the IOUSA Solutions documentary (recommended), and our staff who rose to the challenge before and during the event.

Matt Rankin

ASPA Deputy Director

Thinking of San Jose…

As I’m preparing to leave the office for ASPA’s Annual Conference in San Jose, I’m struck by what I’m looking forward to the most. (And it’s not the 6:00 a.m. staff meetings!) I’m proud of what ASPA has been able to accomplish leading up to this conference, and I’m really excited about what our members will be able to do because of it. Whether it’s applying a best practice locally, advancing the body of knowledge by publishing an article or book, or simply learning more about an issue, you can’t help but take something useful away from a long weekend meeting with a thousand of your peers.

Each year, I get to meet a few more of our members and learn about what they do and what matters most to them. I’ve spent my career working for nonprofit organizations and voluntary associations on issues that I feel are important like parks and recreation, the environment and, most recently, public service. (Sorry, I just can’t see myself working for the widget association.) Until I started working for ASPA, I took for granted how interesting it is to see people from different professions, perspectives and backgrounds work together in support of a common goal. Where else can you see high-level practitioners, professors, activists, and future professionals interact? I think it’s really impressive that most, if not all, of ASPA’s presenters are coming not only for your benefit, but mainly for the benefit of your clients, your citizens, and your cause.

Travel safely to San Jose.
Matt Rankin
ASPA Deputy Director

Member Seeks Information on Successful Parks and Recreation Initiatives

Dear ASPA Members and Friends – I am posting the following message on behalf of an ASPA member looking for information on innovative parks and recreation programs. Please try and help by responding directly or by contacting a colleague in the P&R field. During these trying times, we’re all in this together. Thanks. –Matt Rankin, ASPA Deputy Director.

Hi everyone:  I have been asked by my Assistant Director to request information from my ASPA contacts concerning successful business ideas and programs for Parks that have been implemented throughout the US.  The Park & Recreation Department, where I have worked for the past 30 years, will be facing the toughest budget I have ever seen.  We are looking at business plans which could assist us in increasing revenue, utilizing programs that are working in other locales.  I would appreciate any and all ideas, contacts etc. that could assist me in this endeavor.  This could be a great reason to become a member of ASPA’s network of colleagues.  Thank you.

William E. Solomon, J.D.
Park & Recreation Resource Coordinator
Strategic Business Management Division
Miami-Dade Park & Recreation

Ph:305-755-7873/Fax:305-755-7890
pbs@miamidade.gov