An NRPA Report

by
Carl F. Fuerst, Regional Director North Central Service Center Rosemont, Illinois

The National Recreation and Park Association welcomes the Illinois Association of Park Districts to its distinguished list of affiliate members. We are looking forward to a close working relationship with your outstanding state organization as we now cooperatively tackle the challenge of the '70's.

We now have a membership of approximately 30,000 who through active involvement and participation in our six professional and two citizen branches, plus the newly established student organization, form the broad base of support we so desperately need today and in the '70's to advance parks, recreation, and conservation at all levels throughout this country.

Certainly one of our most important services is to represent your interests nationally. February has been a significant month for our national relationships—Dr. Prezioso's letter to President Nixon before his message sparked strong positive interest from the President's Re-Organization Committee—in fact, he has had 3 White House Meetings this month, plus some other national meetings of interest:

—NRPA was one of (10) National conservation organizations invited to meet with President Nixon on Parks-Recreation-Conservation—the President voiced his concern for re-oganization, more professionally trained people, and more finance support— more federal park lands near urban areas—and more coordination at all levels.

—The Association was one of only 2 National Associations invited to serve on the Board of the new and unique National Center for Voluntary Action, established by President Nixon, and including 7 members of the President's Cabinet. It just got underway at an impressive White House Meeting and dinner.

—NRPA was one of (7) National conservation organizations invited to meet with Secretary Hickel, his bureau heads, and the American Petroleum Institute—on environment-conservation concerns.

—NRPA was invited recently to meet with Secretary of Transporatation Voipe and his Environmental Head on encroachment matters — NRPA has just completed serving its second year as one of six judges for the National Beautification Program.

—NRPA was invited to meet with HEW's Environmental Planning officials.

—NRPA was invited to meet with National Park Service Director Hartzog to develop more cooperative programs, one being an Interpretive Training Institute to be held later this year.

—NRPA was invited to meet with New York Mayor Lindsay to assist with his staff re-organization and staffing in parks-recreation-conservation.

These meetings in February alone, we believe, indicate the status and recognition of your National Recreation and Park Association at the national level— these kinds of relationships will help us provide you with better programs—services—liaison—representation.

In addition to the affiliate membership of the Illinois Association of Park Districts in the NRPA, I am also encouraged by the large number of your local park districts that have organizational memberships which, in turn, entitles each of the Commissioners to an individual NRPA membership in the Board and Commissioners Branch. In a short two years the Commissioners-Board Members Branch has grown into

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our largest branch, with over 8,500 members. Some of the recent and ongoing services in this area are:

—Organized and conducted Fifth National Forum—"New Approaches to Financing Parks and Recreation"— the first national meeting ever held for citizens serving on advisory and policy-making recreation-park boards, commissions and councils — highly successful with 350 delegates representing forty-five states.

—Organized and conducted Special National Institute for citizens board-commission members plus other concerned citizens at National Congress. This in-depth program entitled "Citizen Involvement and Leadership— Our Most Vital Force", was co-sponsored with the Illinois Association of Park Districts and featured the National Issues facing the field including : Legislation, Finances, Facility Design, Programming, Citizen Involvement, and Advance Planning.

—Thirty-eight education programs were held in 1969 which contained education sessions for boards-commissions and concerned citizens.

—Technical publications have been developed and distributed widely as follows:

"Citizen Involvement and Leadership: A Vital Community Force" speech booklet

"Blueprint for State-wide Organization of Boards-Commissions, and Other Concerned Citizens" booklet

"Guidelines for Boards and Commissions" brochure "Charter and By-Laws" booklet "Recreation and Park Finance Planning" booklet Two new manuals are being developed which you should find valuable:

"Training Manual for Boards-Commissions and Their Chief Executives"

"Citizen Involvement-Organization-Action manual"

Carl F. Fuerst

While there are many other areas of NRPA service and activities I would like to cover, I will limit my remarks to the work of the North Central Regional Service Center, opened in Rosemont, Illinois in 1969.

The North Central Regional Service Center in the O'Hare Office Building at 10400 W. Higgins Road, Rosemont, Illinois enters its eighth month of operation, as it continues to provide NRPA services to the membership and organizations within its ten-state jurisdiction. In a recent report to the National Council of NRPA, it was noted significant progress had been made in fulfilling the basic objectives and purposes of the NRPA. (Report available upon request).

Highlights of these objectives, as they pertain to the North Central Region, are as follows:

TO work with you and with your state legislators, governors and other policy makers to project the need for adequate park and recreation legislation.

TO cooperate and assist the membership of the state affiliated recreation and park organizations to strengthen their respective organizations.

TO assist the members of the District Advisory Council and strengthen the DAG so that the affiliated recreation and park organizations may be assured of having a strong voice in the affairs of the NRPA.

TO cooperate and maintain liaison with Federal agencies, private agencies, volunteer agencies, community councils and similar groups in order to further the aims of NRPA and its affiliates.

TO cooperate and coordinate work closely with other agencies providing park and recreation advisory and consulting services.

TO assist the colleges and universities in establishing and strengthening park and recreational curricula and

to assist in the recruitment of students in these curricula.

TO coordinate the provisions of Park and Recreation Field Services for all interested and responsible individuals and groups within the region. TO utilize the special skills of NRPA members as consultants, to provide where necessary park and recreation advisory consulting services. TO provide specific opportunities for study, research, dialogue, and the resolving of specific issues and problems in the field of parks, recreation and conservation at a regional, state and local level. TO coordinate all of the services of

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AN NRPA REPORT

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the NRPA to its membership at a regional and personal level.

These objectives are designed to meet the current and future needs of our society, and the needs of the NRPA membership.

In the coming year specific programs and efforts will be established with the cooperation of the Illinois Park and Recreation Society, the Illinois Association of Park Districts, the District Advisory Council, and your affiliate Presidents.

An invitation is extended to you and your related organization to call upon the Regional Service Center for assistance or information and to utilize the total services of the NRPA in your particular efforts.

As your Regional Director, I am looking forward to meeting you and establishing a close working relationship with you, thereby establishing a two-way street in coordination and communication with you and your National Recreation and Park Association.

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