I’ll be honest with you. When it was suggested that I do a regular blog, my response was “what’s a blog?” My mom always used to say she was born ten years too soon...I now understand what she meant. There’s no doubt I love my smartphone and iPad, but I’m having a hard time embracing (or understanding is probably a better term) all of the technological resources available to us. I have never tweeted, I have made one Facebook post (and I had to have help), I’ve joined LinkedIn (a couple of times actually) and I’m clueless as to what it is, and Pinterest...well, I’ve received some messages that people are following me… who knows where - but they are following me. I have finally figured out how to text (albeit to one person at a time) and hey e-mail…yep, I’ve got that one down.

Jessica from MRPA patiently explained to me what a blog is and thought it would be a great way for us to keep in touch with our members. Poor Jess! My response was something like – “in addition to e-blasts, Facebook, Twitter, and the magazine? I don’t get it!” She, again very patiently, explained to me that people receive their information in many different forms. Jess stressed that for us to be relevant to our members we need to use all of the different resources available; she was convincing and she’s so much smarter than me when it comes to technology! So, while it took me a few months longer than it should have…it’s here…the inaugural blog post.

Relevant. It’s a word we are hearing often now. According to the web version of Merriam Webster’s Dictionary (I do LOVE Google), relevant means having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand. Hmm….so what’s the matter at hand for Parks and Recreation; and, more specifically MRPA? Now that’s a loaded question!

To be relevant, we know we must provide services and programs to our members that are of value. The real challenge today is what knowing what those are. As a profession, we have experienced a dramatic shift in what we do and how we do it, and thus MRPA must also shift its resources.

We will continue to be advocates and will follow legislation that impacts the profession; the Grand Experience remains a stable and strong program for the Association; and the long standing athletic tournaments remain. We will maintain the online ticket program; however, after over 30 years, we have ended the Summer Ticket Program. Mickey Alderman served the Association for over 20 years as the Ticket Chair, and we sincerely applaud his efforts and time.

While we maintain some of the programs and services that have been the foundation of our Association, MRPA is directing its resources to include some new initiatives, including:

• Getting a seat at the table by building partnerships and collaborations with organizations such as MUCC, MFEA, MTGA, MGIA, MML, MTA, DNR, MDCH, MIFMA, MSO, NCLI, MSHDA, and the acronyms go on and on and on. We are building relationships with groups/agencies /associations with similar missions and goals. We are connecting our members to the resources of these partners.
• Placemaking and the MI Place Initiative. This is NOT the flavor of the month. This is a concentrated effort to create the Placemaking culture in all of our communities, and Parks and Recreation professionals have been asked to be placemaking leaders. We are going to provide you the tools you need to start the process at two different workshops. Information can be found here.
• Trails – Governor Snyder has indicated Michigan should become the #1 Trail State in the nation. Our members own many of the trails throughout the state. MRPA will connect its members to resources to purchase, develop, maintain, program and operate trails.
• Urban Parks and Recreation -The Blue Ribbon Panel Report to the Governor has put a strong emphasis on urban parks and recreation. MRPA has formed an Urban Parks and Recreation Committee. Kelli Hoover from Jackson and Colin Smith from Ann Arbor have agreed to lead the initiative. MRPA will provide workshops and seminars geared to our urban members. 
• Building the Case for Parks and Recreation at the Local Level – Whether we like it or not, we must prove the value of what we do. It is our new reality. MRPA is leading an effort to gather data about the economic impact of parks and recreation, determine the gaps and to create templates that can be used at the local level. We are aggressively seeking donors and partners and hope to launch the study in 2013.

MRPA finished 2012 in the black for the second year in a row. It wasn’t by much but we’re still headed in the right direction. Just as you have had to do, we’ve scaled back, reduced, cut, eliminated and refined the operations. We’re not out the woods yet; but, we are hopeful that our efforts are directed to position us for long term relevance!

Finally, thanks to all of you who attended the conference in Lansing. Mayor Bernero jolted us out of the gate. The good news is he sure got everyone talking! Lt. Governor Calley really captured the essence of what we are all about. We’ve heard good feedback, especially about Lansing. Educationally there were some hits and there were some misses. As you noticed, we listened to feedback from previous years and are really trying to secure outside speakers. This year 67% of our sessions were done by people outside of MRPA. Food is always a challenge…..some loved it some hated it. Just know we are always striving to get better.

In the next post, I’ll focus in on one of the initiatives. Until then…watch for updates in our e-blasts and on the web page! And if you have an idea for a blog, let us know- we’ve got the forum and welcome suggestions!