CPRS State Board Candidates

We’re excited to announce our CPRS State Board Candidates for the 2025-26 Leadership Year!

We’re seeking leaders who truly resonate with our mission and values, and who have demonstrated a commitment to the profession of parks and recreation. As a valued member, you already know how important our work is—now is your chance to help lead the way!

Through our 11-member State Board, 15 Districts, 7 Sections, and HQ staff, CPRS:

  • Creates COMMUNITY by connecting one another through the passion of the profession
  • ADVANCES the profession by communicating and demonstrating the importance of parks and recreation as a vital community service
  • Shares RESOURCES and tools that help elevate the profession
  • DEVELOPS and strengthens professionals through learning and leadership opportunities

Election Timeline and FAQs...

  • Ballots will hit your email inbox January 16, 2025
  • Voting ends at 11:59pm, January 21, 2025
  • NOTE!  Your CPRS membership MUST BE in GOOD STANDING on or before December 13, 2024 in order to be eligible to vote in our upcoming election.  Be sure your membership is UP TO DATE today by calling CPRS HQ at 916.665.2777.

CPRS State Board Candidates!

Meet Our Candidates!

Meet our Candidates...

Click on any candidate's name to learn more about why they are running for a State Board position.

 

Vice President (3 year term; 2025-2028)

Nick Calubaquib, City of Watsonville

Adam Chow, City of San Ramon

Tiarra Warner, City of Rohnert Park

 

Secretary-Treasurer (2 year term; 2025-2027)

Leah Martinez, Hayward Area Recreation & Park District

Ashley (Wysocki) Theel, City of Huntington Beach

Victoria Reyna, City of Lancaster

 

Region 2 Representative (2 year term; 2025-2027)

Tricia Mullan, City of Menlo Park

 

Region 4 Representative (2 year term; 2025-2027)

Michael Adams, City of Chino Hills

Candice Smith, City of Ontario

 

Section Representative (2 year term; 2025-2027)

Janine Andrade, City of Bell

Melanie Goss, OC Parks

 

Interested in serving on the CPRS State Board in the future? Contact any of your current State Board members to learn more!

Candidate Forums!

Candidate Forums!

It's almost CPRS Election time and you're invited to get to know our candidates better! Join one or all of these forums, or listen in on the recordings posted after, to ensure you vote for the candidate(s) you feel best represents the CPRS you want to be a part of!

 

CPRS State Board Vice President Candidate Forum

Tuesday, January 14, 10:00-11:00am

 

CPRS State Board Region 4 Rep Candidate Forum

Tuesday, January 14, 3:30-4:30pm

 

CPRS State Board Section Rep Candidate Forum

NEW TIME!!!!

Wednesday, January 15, 1:30-2:30pm

 

CPRS State Board Secretary/Treasurer Candidate Forum

Wednesday, January 15, 3:30-4:30pm

 

All forums will be hosted via ZOOM. Click on the link(s) to RSVP via ZOOM; once you have RSVP'd, you'll receive the actual ZOOM link.

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Candidate Requirements and Eligibility

CPRS State Board Candidate Requirements

  • Current voting member of CPRS
  • Employed at least 5 years in a full time capacity and currently work in a permanent position in the profession immediately prior to nomination
  • Vice President: minimum 3 years experience in an elected capacity at state, district, or section level, or chair a statewide committee/task force
  • Secretary/Treasurer: minimum 2 years experience in an elected capacity at state, district, or section level, or chair a statewide committee/task force
  • Region Representative: minimum 2 years experience in an elected capacity at state, district, or section level, or chair a statewide committee/task force; must work or reside in the Region they seek to represent
  • Section Representative: minimum 2 years experience in an elected capacity at state, district, or section level, or chair a statewide committee/task force

Newly elected board members will take office the week of March 18-21, 2025 in Sacramento, CA.

District and Section leadership requirements are specific to each District or Section.  At a minimum, candidates must be a CPRS member in good standing.  Please refer to the specific District or Section you are interested in by connecting with their current leader.

Expectations of CPRS State Board Members

  • Attend 4 in person board of directors meetings
    • Meetings are overnight, held at varying locations throughout the state
    • Overnight accommodations are provided if you live or work more than 50 miles from the meeting site; meal and travel expenses are paid by CPRS
  • Attend monthly conference calls
    • one hour calls held 4th Thursday of the month excluding in person meeting months
  • Represent CPRS at District, Section, and State meetings and events
  • Come prepared to Board meetings by reading the meeting materials and discussing issues with the appropriate bodies
  • Support CPRS’ governance model which engages the Board around CPRS’ future and strategic direction
  • Demonstrate commitment to CPRS, its mission, goals, and the profession’s promise
  • Place emphasis on an outward vision, encourage diversity of viewpoints and strategic leadership, participate in collective decision making, and facilitate open communication with the board, the members, and staff
  • Region and Section Representatives conduct conference calls and attend in person meetings of their respective Districts and Sections

District and Section expectations are specific to each District or Section.  At a minimum, candidates must be a CPRS member in good standing.  Please refer to the specific District or Section you are interested in by connecting with their current leader.

Benefits of Serving as a CPRS Leader

Why become a CPRS Leader?  Here are just a few ways you can expect to develop as a leader...

  • Exposure to new ideas, innovations, and strategies
  • Development of a strong personal network 
  • Ongoing training that enhances your workplace skills
  • Access to the latest information on issues affecting the profession
  • A voice in how CPRS addresses challenges
  • Opportunities to develop and practice leadership skills outside your current environment

Candidate Campaign Guidelines

Please use the following guidelines as you make your leadership skills known to voting CPRS members:

ENDORSEMENTS:

  •  All board members of any CPRS State, District, or Section Board shall not endorse any candidate on any media (email, written, verbal, or social media).
  • CPRS State Board Members shall not take any action on social media posts made by the Candidates during the campaign. Any action could be perceived as support or endorsement of an individual candidate.
  • Members who are not serving as an elected CPRS leader at the State, District, or Section levels may endorse a candidate. When making these endorsements they must make them as an individual member of the society.
  • When members make endorsements, it must be in favor of a candidate only. No endorsements may mention the candidate that is opposing their recommendation.
  • CPRS Staff shall not endorse any candidate.

CAMPAIGNING:

  • Negative campaigning against another candidate is not allowed.
  • Candidates shall not use the CPRS Online Communities page to send out campaign information.
  • Candidates shall use the BCC option on all campaign emails sent out.
  • Candidate shall not ‘tag’ in any way, any CPRS State, District, or Section Board members, nor CPRS Staff in any social media posts.
  • If a District or Section would like to have a candidate speak to them in an organized setting, they must make the option available to all persons running for that position.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding campaigning or endorsements, please contact Jenni Worsham, Nominations Chair, at jenni.worsham@fountainvalley.gov or 714.593.4447.

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For more information contact:

Jenni Worsham, CPRS Vice President
jenni.worsham@fountainvalley.org

(714) 593-4447