My Profile

Mrs. Jenni Worsham

City of Fountain Valley

Contact Details

City of Fountain Valley

Bio

Why have you chosen to run for the CPRS State Board of Directors?

After serving as President of both District 10 and the Aquatics Section, it was my dream to continue my CPRS involvement on the State Board of Directors.  Four years ago this dream came true when I was elected as the Region 5 Representative and the experience has been more than I could have ever imagined.  CPRS has played a key role in my professional growth and has allowed me to experience and achieve things I never thought possible.  I have grown, not only as a professional, but also personally and I want to continue giving back, utilizing my knowledge and passion to help guide others through their journey, while also continuing my own growth.   I am a passionate about teamwork and leadership and know that I have the skills necessary to serve YOU, the CPRS membership.  If given the opportunity, serving in the Presidential Series would be my honor and privilege.

What personal attributes, skills, or knowledge would you bring to the State Board of Directors if elected?

Throughout the 19 of my 20 years as a CPRS member, I have been actively involved in the recreation profession through my agency positions, as well as in multiple positions on CPRS District, Section and State Boards.  Through these opportunities, I have had the chance to work with and learn from many amazing and inspiring groups of professionals who share the passion I have for recreation.  I am a dedicated, enthusiastic, creative, organized and passionate. I am a leader who aspires to give back to the profession for the opportunities and experiences that have helped me develop into the person I am today.

What is the greatest challenge our profession faces and how will you lead to address that challenge?

I believe that one of the greatest challenges our profession faces is continuing to remain seen as a vital community service in the eyes of our local governments.  Throughout the pandemic, parks and recreation professionals showed their brilliance by performing a multitude of tasks, both within and outside of our typical scopes.  This ability to be creative, adaptable, dedicated “jacks of all trades”, allowed many of our agencies and communities to continue to function and be successful at a time when everything was unsure and unexpected, proving what we already knew, that we are essential to our communities.  
 
Since that time, most of our professional lives have returned to “normal”, but with increased expenses and in many cases, reduced funding, it is now our time to ensure that leaders remember our importance to the communities we serve.  As professionals, we are really great at doing what we do because we love it, but not so great at telling everyone about it. Everything that we do…the life-saving and life-changing experiences, connections, services, programs… this is what we need to share far and wide. We need ensure that we are advocating for ourselves by telling these stories to anyone and everyone who will listen, to ensure we remain top of mind.  CPRS exists for its members and is here for you, to help each other tell these stories through a multitude of avenues, to advocate for our profession, agencies and communities.  CPRS is here to provide a community, resources and opportunities to strengthen us all as team. As a leader on the State Board of Directors, I will focus on working as a team to make us all better, moving us forward and telling our amazing stories to continue showing what we already know, that we are a vital community service.

Please share relevant leadership experiences outside of your work environment.  

My professional leadership experiences include the following:

2020-2024 CPRS State Board Region 5 Representative
2015 - 2018 CPRS District 10 Awards Committee Chair
2017 CPRS State Awards Committee Judge
2016-2017 CPRS Aquatics Section President
2015-2016 CPRS Aquatics Section President-Elect
2014-2015 CPRS District 10 Past President
2013-2014 CPRS District 10 President
2012-2013 CPRS District 10 President-Elect
2012-2013 CPRS Aquatic Section Secretary
2010-2011 CPRS Aquatic Section Secretary
2008-2012 CPRS District 10 Aquatic Section Representative
2006-2010 CPRS Aquatic Section Region Representative
2005-2007 Southern California Public Pool Operator Association Treasurer
2006-2022 California Aquatic Management School Co-Chair (even years only & 2021)
2004 California Aquatic Management School Committee Member