Why have you chosen to run for the CPRS State Board of Directors?
I’ve decided to run for the CPRS State Board of Directors because my time serving on the CPRS District 11 Board of Directors has made me appreciate what CPRS does for our profession. CPRS provides resources and a system of networks that we all have benefited from.
I want to see our profession continue to grow and I’m ready to be a part of that on a bigger scale. It’s fulfilling to serve at the district level and I’m ready to take the next step in helping connect our districts statewide.
What personal attributes, skills, or knowledge would you bring to the State Board of Directors if elected?
Given the opportunity to serve on the State Board of Directors, I would bring a “just try” attitude. Throughout my career, I’ve been a strong believer in approaching new adventures and opportunities with the attitude of “just try.” I’ve always been one that has challenged myself and those around me.
Often, I voluntarily take on assignments or roles in my professional career that are beyond my comfort zone/knowledge – which is what brought me to becoming the District 11 president when I had no original intention to become the president.
Fear is what holds a lot of us back, and if we don’t embrace the opportunities and doors that open for us, we may never truly see each other reach our potential.
What is the greatest challenge our profession faces and how will you lead to address that challenge?
One of the biggest challenges I believe our profession faces is attracting and maintaining quality staff. The generation entering the workforce is motivated in different ways than we’re used to, and we as agencies must become better at understanding what their motivation is and adjusting quicker to the ever-growing demands of the workforce.
In a time where we are at an all-time high competing to recruit staff from the same labor pool, our profession is losing out on an opportunity to focus and grow with our communities. The need and desire for events, programming, parks, and all of what our profession stands for hasn’t wavered. If anything, the pandemic puts light on how essential our services really are. We are a place for community and connection in a world that is prioritizing technology that keeps us distant and apart.
We should be taking the opportunity to develop the next round of leaders, and we as agencies need to adapt and strategize new ways to attract and maintain talent in the recreation field.
Please share relevant leadership experiences outside of your work environment.
Throughout my professional career, I have remained committed to involving myself in various leadership roles. In the early part of my career, I served on the Board of Directors for SCMAF-Inland Valleys and Men in Leisure Services groups. For the past four years, I’ve been serving on the CPRS District 11 Board of Directors. Previously held positions include Director of Communications, the Presidential Series, and two terms as the Director of Board Relations.
With District 11 and alongside a great group of professionals, I played an essential role in various professional development and networking opportunities for our region. These included the development of the “Rec Leader Academy” and “Lunch with a Punch,” reigniting the Region 4 Mini-Conference, additional various social and networking events, reestablishing strong district level sponsorship relations, and offering guidance in goal setting and direction for District 11.