What personal attributes, skills, or knowledge would you bring to the State Board of Directors if elected?
One of my personal attributes that makes me particularly suited for the position for which I am running is that I am not afraid to be told that I could do something better. In fact, I want to be told I could something, especially if it impacts someone personally. And it’s not just that I am not afraid to hear it, I actually want to grow from it. I consider myself a lifelong learner, and because of that, my skills and knowledge are constantly evolving. Throughout my career, I have sought feedback from other leaders, colleagues, and employees about ways I can harness my personality traits to be a leader that people want to be around, collaborate with, and learn from. I have been successful in implementing that philosophy throughout my career, and have lead some highly productive teams because of it. I would continue down that path on the State Board in the Presidential Series so that I am able to represent you specifically.
As much as I am not afraid to receive feedback, I am also not afraid to share my opinions or challenge the thought process of others. I am a fact gatherer by nature, and have an analytical mind. I love a good debate and “devil’s advocate” my own ideas all the time. I think the best way to get the most positive outcome in anything is to poke holes in everything. I love working on teams and am a very strong believer in forgoing personal recognition in order to ensure the teams I work on and with receive it.
I have had the amazing opportunity to serve in seven different leadership roles in CPRS, and through those experiences have made professional connections with hundreds of CPRS members throughout the state, many of whom I now call friends (Hi, if you’re one of those people and are reading this!). Having such a broad network of colleagues in my circle allows me to continue to be a well-rounded professional with access to information related to all the specialties within our profession.
The State Board exists for the members; all of you. I believe that my personal desire to continue to grow as a professional, combined with a network of parks and recreation professionals across the state (who also strive for professional excellence) will bring the State Board another strong voice for what is needed, and desired, by the members of our wonderful association.
Why have you chosen to run for the CPRS State Board of Directors?
Most importantly, I want to connect with you and hear your story. I want to take those stories and advocate for your needs and wants at the association level. I want to stand up for you, and I will have hard conversations for you if they are necessary. I want to sit at the table with other state leaders and brainstorm and debate and push for ways to be the most effective professional association we can be for the members that we serve. I want to give more. I want to share my experiences with future leaders.
After serving on the State Board as Region 1 Rep from 2016 to 2020, I knew that I wanted to come back at some point to lead and serve in the Presidential Series, but not right away. I wanted to be sure I did it when I truly felt that I had more to offer the membership than I did in my first tenure on the State Board. Serving in this role is not a resume-builder for me or meant to be a feather in my cap. It’s my commitment to serve this association in a meaningful and impactful way.
In the 2 1/2 years since I left the State Board, I have had personal challenges in my own agency that required me to advocate for myself and my Department. I truly believe these experiences have prepped me to be a supportive leader for CPRS members that find themselves in a position where they feel their department or themselves are undervalued. I have also gained a broader knowledge base about the challenges that face our profession, but also the vast opportunities our profession has to continue developing vibrant, holistic, and cohesive communities.
I gained valuable experience working as Chair the Advocacy Team (A-Team) and have made connections with legislators, Cal Cities representatives, and professionals from other recreation and park associations.
I feel that the current leadership in the Presidential Series share the same ideals as I have about our profession, and would be honored to serve beside them. Now feels like the exact right time to jump back in and serve the members of CPRS through the State Board.
What is the greatest challenge our profession faces and how will you lead to address that challenge?
Geez, this is the million-dollar question, right? Our challenge has always been, and will continue to be, telling our story; making sure that we don’t simply rest on our laurels and assume that everyone knows how important we are to the pulse of California (even though they do). We have to say it, over and over again, to everyone that will listen. The real question is, how do we get them to listen?
My answer to that question is that we need to strategize ways to refocus our efforts of positioning ourselves as an "essential service" to highlighting that we are the “soul of the Community.” The agencies across this state that provide parks and recreation services are literally the heartbeat of the City’s for which they serve. We are the “quality of life department” within our agencies. If we try to stand toe-to-toe with the parts of our agencies that literally must be present to meet the basic necessities of life, we will lose every time. It's not that residents in the City’s we serve need to have parks and recreation services to live, but they do need them in order consider where they live a community: a place where they are proud to live, where they know their neighbor, where they are able to realize more than just than just basic life necessities. That’s the ultimate goal in life, isn’t it? And that’s exactly what we provide; a sense of place and purpose.
The pandemic highlighted how the world defines "essential services" as those that are required for the basic necessities of life: food, water, clothing, shelter, safety, and healthcare. “Essential” isn’t our word. Desired is.
The pandemic also really helped us by highlighting how "Parks Make Life Better!" Since late 2020, parks and recreation professionals/services have been proactively recognized at the State and National level for the work we accomplished during the pandemic. Things like keeping our parks open, clean, safe, and accessible; ensuring our youth remained educated in distance learning centers; providing seniors and low-income residents food; and being innovative in the way we provided recreation opportunities for the emotional well-being of residents through virtual programs. We still impact the communities we serve in the same way we did during the pandemic, and we need to talk about it
In the Presidential Series, I would work with CPRS members, the State Board, and CPRS Headquarters to ensure that we continue to tell our story, loud and proud. I would find ways to position our profession that is unique to only us, because we are the people department unlike any other. Communities don’t need us; they want us. And with that, should come alternative ways to secure funding during times of financial downturn. We constantly strive to have a seat at the table when money is tight. Maybe if we position ourselves in a different and unique way, different and unique ways to fund what we do will emerge. There is so much to this question, and I look forward to digging into more as one of your elected leaders if given the opportunity.