NYSRPS Welcomes the 71st Annual Conference and Business Expo Delegates and Exhibitors

1. NYSRPS Welcomes the 71st Annual Conference and Business Expo Delegates and Exhibitors Annual Board Meeting March 28, 2011

2. 71st Annual Conference 2011 Conference Committee Conference Co-Chairs— Charry Lawson, Town of Onondaga Parks & Recreation; Tom White, City of Syracuse Parks & Recreation Awards Co-Chairs—Linanne Conroy, Town of Penfield Recreation; Ed Fronckwicz, Garden City Recreation Consumption/ Control Co-Chairs— Brandon Lovett, City of Oneida Parks & Recreation; Luke Griff, City of Oneida Parks & Recreation Exhibitor Chair— Jim Laird Fundraising/ Promotion/ Marketing Chair— Tom Kehoskie, Retired Professional, Town of Camillus Hospitality Chair— Ann Smiley, Town of Lysander Parks & Recreation Logistics/ Audio Chair—Gary Lopez, Onondaga County Parks Moderator Chair— Rich Miller, City of Rome Parks & Recreation Off-Site/ Transportation Chair— Jim Raulli,Town of Sullivan Parks & Recreation Professional Resource Chair— Jim Raulli, Town of Sullivan Parks & Recreation Program Chair— Julie Raddell, Town of Cicero Youth Bureau Registration Co-Chairs— Peggy Kenyon, Town of Manlius Recreation; Kristine Zingaro, Town of Manlius Recreation Student Recruitment Chair— Jim Raulli, Town of Sullivan Parks & Recreation 2011 Awards Committee Co-Chair— Linanne Conroy, CPRP, Town of Penfield Recreation Co-Chair— Ed Fronckwicz, Garden City Recreation Capital Region Representative— Myla Kramer, Town of Clifton Park Parks & Recreation Central Region Representative— Kristine Zingaro, Town of Manlius Recreation Genesee Valley Representative—Mike Stockman, Town of Victor Parks & Recreation Hudson Valley Region Representative—Daryl Willenbrink, Hudson Valley DDSO Long Island Representative— Jack Fass, Town of Huntington Parks & Recreation Metropolitan Region Representative— Debbie Lake Westchester Region Representative— Kevin Cook, Westchester County Parks

3. NYSRPS Executive Board President Kevin Ocker, Garden City Recreation President-Elect Jennifer Fava, Town of Yorktown Parks & Recreation VP of Administrative Services Joanne Coast, Retired Professional, Town of Irondequoit VP of Professional Development Donna Esperito, CPRP, Town of New Castle Parks & Recreation VP of Programs and Services Gregg Goodman, CPRP, Town of Gates Parks & Recreation Treasurer Pete Finn, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Secretary Shannon Balbi, Hilton-Parma Recreation Region I Representative Jim Gilchrist, CPRP, Town of Carmel Recreation & Parks Region I Representative Sally Rogol, City of Rye Recreation Region II Representative James Raulli, Town of Sullivan Parks & Recreation Region II Representative Jason Gallo, Town of Bethlehem Parks & Recreation Region III Representative Linanne Conroy, CPRP, Town of Penfield Recreation Region III Representative Marty Denecke, Town of Hamburg Recreation

4. Past NYSRPS Presidents In honor of the individuals who have dedicated their time and expertise to lead The New York State Recreation and Park Society through the years. Here are the names and years of service of the Past Presidents of NYSRPS. *(Notates Deceased) Arthur H. Mittelstaedt, Jr. 1983-1984 John Silsby 1984-1985 Barbara Manzo 1985-1986 Charles Tokarz 1986-1987 Michael Oropallo* 1987-1988 William Simione 1988-1989 James A. Donahue 1989-1990 Joseph A. Stout 1990-1991 John Silsby 1991-1992 Dan McBride 1992-1993 Butch Martin 1993-1994 Bryon Bissonette 1994-1995 Tom Kehoskie 1995-1996 William Barber 1996-1997 Paul Blake 1997-1998 Dan Wiles 1998-1999 Bob Robare 1999-2000 William Zimmermann 2000-2001 Tom Kehoskie 2001-2002 Ann Smiley 2002-2003 Richard Rose 2003-2004 Edean Casey 2004-2005 William Riddell 2005-2006 Gerard Byrne 2006-2007 Elaine Apfelbaum 2007-2008 Ray Gomes 2008-2009 Jeffrey Myers 2009-2010 Kevin Ocker Current Peter J. Mayers* 1940-1946 William M. Leonard* 1946-1947 Carl E. Waite* 1947-1949 Helena J. Hoyt* 1949-1951 Myron H. Hendricks* 1951-1953 Sal J. Prezioso * 1953-1955 Sidney G. Lutzin* 1955-1957 J. Glenn Hudson* 1957-1959 Matthew M. Dolan* 1959-1961 Ralph Daniano* 1962-1963 William Foley* 1963-1965 Louis Pierro* 1965-1966 Arthur Bleau 1966-1967 Vincent Fowler 1967-1968 Edward Dyroff 1968-1969 Donald Saltzman* 1969-1970 James Arles 1970-1971 William Theobald* 1971-1972 William Lederer 1972-1973 Angelo Palermo* 1973-1974 Howard A. Oaks 1974-1975 Edward Ghiazza* 1975-1977 Francis Tokar 1977-1978 Kenneth Batchelor 1978-1979 Robert A. Gullie 1979-1980 Salvatore DeSantis 1980-1981 Frances Wallach* 1981-1982 Joseph E. Curtis* 1982-1983

5. NYSRPS Executive Office Staff EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Barbara Diesem-Zimmons DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Jocelyn Farrell MEMBERSHIP SERVICES COORDINATOR Lauren Zoppa PART TIME BOOKKEEPER Debbie Dundon PROGRAM STUDENT INTERN Tim Hoover

6. Student Chapters NYSRPS worked closely with Executive Board members and colleges to rework the Student Chapter Handbook, which received Board approval February 2011.

7. Highlights 2010-2011 Membership • NYSRPS has 588 members (YTD as of February), including 19 new members and 192 • renewed members this year. We also have 42 Commercial members (10 new and 13 • renewed since last year), and 9 Business Partners. On the downside, members are • more frequently tardy in renewing membership and several have gone from an agency • to individual status, thereby decreasing revenues from this line item. • The Executive Board awarded lifetime memberships to Bill Barber in December 2010. • District & Affiliate members – LILSA, CNYRPS and GVRPS all remain strong district • members. HVLSA currently fulfilled the requirements to maintain affiliate status. • WRAPS is in good standing as an affiliate member. The Niagara Frontier has been • weighing the options to become an affiliate. NYSRPS will also be working hard with the • Capital and Adirondack areas to fortify these existing districts.

8. Highlights 2010-2011 Conference and Education The 16th Annual Downstate Conference was held on November 17, 2010 and saw 272 (297 with speakers) delegates and 24 vendors. The 17th Annual Downstate Conference is scheduled for November 17, 2011 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. The 2011 Committee is currently accepting proposals for presentations. Please visit the Events section of the NYSRPS web site, www.nysrps.org, if you are interested in being a presenter. The Certified Playground Safety Inspectors (CPSI) course, sponsored by NYSRPS and the NRPA National Playground Safety Institute, was held October 18 – 20, 2010 at the Camillus Senior Center. All in all, there were 49 registrants and the course was a success. NYSRPS and NRPA plan to hold another course in Great Neck, NY from April 12 – 14, 2011. One-Day Seminars – Our intern, Tim has been working with Pete Finn to develop a one-day seminar on finance and budgeting, to be delivered in May 2011. Tim is starting to work with districts and affiliates for dates that will fit into Pete’s schedule. If you have additional program ideas for the 2011-2012 FY, please email them to info@nysrps.org.

9. Highlights 2010-2011 Partnerships • Executive Director, Barbara closed out the 2008 and 2009 STOP grants through the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and also received approval for 2010’s grant. Time has not permitted the completion of the quarterly reports nor claiming, though this is a priority, as all must be filed by July 2011. No further future funding is available in the STOP grant from OCFS. • President, Kevin Ocker has had several meetings with NYSTRA within the last year • and Barb is working with Dr. Lynn Anderson and Laurie Penney McGee to develop • a series therapeutic/inclusion based one-day seminars. Both activities are • designed to solidify the relationship between NYSRPS and NYSTRA.

10. Highlights 2010-2011 NYSRPS National Representation MARN – New York State is represented on the Mid Atlantic Regional Network of NRPA by the following professionals: Gerry Byrne, Jennifer Fava, Rich Rose, and Bill Zimmermann. NRPA Congress – The 2010 National Recreation and Park Association Congress was held October 25-29, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. President, Kevin Ocker, President-Elect, Jennifer Fava, and Executive Director, Barbara Diesem-Zimmons were all in attendance. The 2011 Congress will be held on November 1-3, 2011 in Atlanta, GA. National Legislative Forum – The 2011 National Legislative Forum was held on March 16-19 in Washington, DC. Legislative Chair Richard Rose Jr. represented New York in our advocacy efforts.

11. Highlights 2010-2011 Finance and Fundraising • The 2010 Ticket Consignment Program saw participation from 13 agencies and 8 • individuals, with a total of 2,998 tickets sold. The program generated net revenue of • $2,579.75, based on the figures below. The ticket program is currently being offered to the membership for 2011. The ticket order form is available on the NYSRPS web site, at www.nysrps.org.

12. Highlights 2010-2011 Finance and Fundraising • Fund balances as of February 2011 are: • Smith Barney – $19,978.23 • Fidelity – $39,897.23 • Saratoga National – $117,588.23 • Friends – $33,756.04 • Overall, funds are down from last year.

13. Regional Highlights REGION I: Hudson Valley, Westchester, Metro & Long Island Hudson Valley Happenings: • Membership has remained consistent in delivery of services as well as remaining fiscally sound and creatively productive! 20 Commercial Members; 26 Municipal Members; 10 Therapeutic Members; 1 Student Member; 2 Retired Members; 1 Commission Members • This year HVLSA continued to offer current and dynamic presentations to its membership with CEUs at each. NYSRPS Executive Director spoke about the current trends and changes in the Society “Dynamics of Change– Understanding Generation Z,” by Larry Force, Ph.D. “Stay Fit Seniors” Annual Holiday Party (sadly not eligible for CEUs, although very entertaining!) NCTRC TR Specialties Our terrific “Vendors Showcase” “The Gangs of the Hudson Valley” HVLSA Annual Awards, Grants & Scholarship Banquet (to be held in May)

14. Regional Highlights REGION I: Hudson Valley, Westchester, Metro & Long Island Hudson Valley Happenings (cont): • Changes to HVLSA in the coming year – Daryl Willenbrink will be retiring from current employer as well her 20+ years serving on HVLSA’s Executive Board; Lou Fernandez, VP, will be taking over the presidency; Secretary, Danielle Westbrook, CTRS, will also be resigning from her position, as she will be out on maternity leave; Marilyn Silverman, our Member-At-Large, will have fulfilled her two-year term; Richard Rose will be stepping down from his NYSRPS Legislative position; Jim Gilchrist also stepping down from his Regional Representative position with the NYSRPS Board.

15. Regional Highlights REGION I: Hudson Valley, Westchester, Metro & Long Island Westchester Happenings: • • 2009-2010 Membership numbers: 272 members and vendors • 2010-2011 Membership numbers: 259 members and vendors • • This past year – • WRAPS’ Annual Awards & Scholarship Luncheon was held on June 11, 2010 at the • Shenorock Shore Club in Rye; • Our Annual meeting was held on July 27, 2010 at Lewisboro Recreation Dept where all • Board members and committee chairs were in attendance; • We also held a Recreation Professional Roundtable discussion on Sports Programming at • the Westchester County Center on January 14, 2011. • Past President, Jen Fava and new Board member, Karen O'Donnell represented WRAPS on the • 2010 Downstate Conference Committee and co-chaired registration at the event.  Next year Dana • Mayclim (current Past President) will replace Jen Fava on this committee. • We’d like to honor our worthy retirees, Joe Stout and Dan McBride, and would also like to note that • Past Presidents, Bernie Guagnin and Joe Curtis both passed away this year.

16. Regional Highlights REGION I: Hudson Valley, Westchester, Metro & Long Island Metro Happenings: • This past year – • Metro sponsored an all day seminar along with Kingsborough Community College PERRT • Program called “Inclusion U – Inclusion and Accessibility Training” on May 14, 2010 at • Kingsborough Community College; • Our Annual awards dinner was held on May 19, 2010 at the Manhattan Penthouse in New • York City; • Metro successfully chaired the 2010 Downstate Committee culminating in a well-attended • event on Nov 16th; • Presented "Healing The Wounded Heart: Inspirational Reflections and Insights" by Dr. Gail • R. Levine, CTRS, Assoc. Professor Kingsborough Community at our January 26, 2011 • membership meeting. • Upcoming Events – • Metro will hold its Annual Full Day Conference on May 25, 2011 at DC 37; • Our General Membership Meeting & Social will be held in October (exact date TBA)

17. Regional Highlights REGION I: Hudson Valley, Westchester, Metro & Long Island Long Island Happenings: • This past year – • Town of North Hempstead Deputy Commissioner of Parks, Kevin Kelly, Town of Huntington • Commissioner of Parks, Don McKay, and Brookhaven Town Commissioner of Parks, Ed Morris • all joined the LILSA Executive Board, and each made important contributions to events and • activities; • The year began with a joint one day conference, co-sponsored by Saint Joseph’s College, • which focused on developing closer ties between the Therapeutic and Municipal fields; • Early fall, LILSA held its annual golf outing at Harbor Links Golf Course in Port Washington, NY • as a fundraising event for both the LILSA Scholarship fund and to benefit the Marty Lyons • Foundation, a charitable organization which grants wishes for seriously ill children. • Upcoming Events – • LILSA has another one day conference planned for this October, again to be held at and co- • sponsored by Saint Joseph’s College. This conference will include follow up sessions to the • ones held last spring, and will also offer new and relevant offerings to the participants; • Executive Board is working on a new series of half day educational seminars.

18. Regional Highlights REGION II: Adirondack, Capital & Central Adirondack and Capital Happenings: • Nomination acceptance is slightly delayed due to circumstances beyond our newly • appointed District II Representative, Jason Gallo’s control. • The Capital region will be exploring non-traditional methods, such as Skype, Facebook • and conference calls, to connect/reconnect with membership and increase participation • of member agencies. • Capital Parks & Recreation is also willing, with the help of NYSRPS, to try to draw in the • Adirondack district after first trialing some of the methods previously outlined.

19. Regional Highlights REGION II: Adirondack, Capital & Central Central Happenings: • CNYRPS signed up multiple new members and is hoping to increase membership again in 2011-12. • This past year – • August – Members from CNYRPS participated in the Cicero Gus Macker tournament. They held a • contest for the public and awarded trophies and digital cameras, and were able to fundraise for the • NYSRPS Annual Conference and increase their exposure in the community. • September – Annual Fran Tokar Golf Tournament was cancelled due to lack of registered • participants. After evaluating, the Board is going to be hosting a Disc Golf Tourney in August 2011. • December – Jon Cooley, Steve Miles, Susan Ferris and Justin Pokines retired in 2010. • February – More than 100 people attended the Annual Awards Luncheon. As a result of the great • turnout and many nominations, CNYRPS will continue to offer the awards in 2012. The original • plan called for a year off because of a low turnout in 2010. • All year – Members of CNYRPS were busy planning for the 2011 Annual Conference. Monthly • meetings, many phone calls, endless fundraising and trips to the Turning Stone were all a part of • the process in organizing this great event.

20. Regional Highlights REGION III: Genesee Valley & Niagara Genesee Valley Happenings: • This past year – • The GVRPS Annual Golf Tournament was held on September 10 at the Deerfield Country Club with • 40 golfers in attendance; • GVRPS held an educational session on Geo-Caching and Nature Based Programming on Tuesday, • October 12 at Gates Lions Park; • Our Annual Conference and Awards Presentation was held on November 12 at the Marriott • Rochester Airport, where 85 professionals, students and vendors registered for the conference; • On December 17, GVRPS held a holiday luncheon and an educational session entitled “The • Dynamics of Change: Understanding Generation Z...Preparing for Generation Alpha;” • GVRPS and ZuperMovies/ZuperBounce established a Professional Scholarship for attending the • Annual NYSRPS Conference. The scholarship was awarded to Shannon Balbi; • GVRPS hosted a WNY regional conference on Wednesday, February 16 at Perinton Community • Center. There were 6 vendors in attendance and 62 delegates. • Upcoming Events – • The GVRPS Annual Meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 20 at Sahlen’s Park, where next year’s • Executive Board will be announced.

21. Regional Highlights REGION III: Genesee Valley & Niagara Niagara Frontier Happenings: • NFRPS has struggled with member involvement in recent years. With the exception of individuals on • the Executive Board, general membership participation has been minimal. We are working to improve • interest and participation in a variety of ways, particularly by working with NYSRPS, and will make every • effort to create meaningful events that offer growth and fellowship for our membership. • Based on these trials and challenges, the 2010-11 Executive Board decided to cut back on local • meetings. A quarterly schedule was adopted, and agendas were set based on member feedback. The • four meetings included the following: • October – “Round Tables” Separate discussions for Municipal/Therapeutic/Parks • December – “Holiday Party” and Fundraiser • February – “Meet the Professionals,” a student based program held at Erie Community College • June – “Summer Awards Picnic”

22. Legislative Update • The Committee monitors legislation on a state and federal level, and tries to keep the NYSRPS membership aware of pending legislation which may affect their profession. Among the committee’s accomplishments over the past year are the following: • Adoption of the 2011 Legislative Platform, which guides the membership in legislative positions • that the NYSRPS either supports or opposes, and the distribution of the platform to the NYSRPS • membership through mail and via the website. • Increased involvement with the NYSOPRHP staff to advocate for issues of mutual interest. • Legislative updates using the NYSRPS E-mail network. • Use of the NYSRPS Home Page to present the Legislative Platform as well as many related links. • Presentation on legislative issues at the NYSRPS Conference, Downstate Conference, Cortland • Conference and HVLSA meetings. • In addition, New York was represented at the NRPA’s Mid Year Legislative Policy Forum in March 2011, where visits were made to all New York representatives of Congress to lobby for those items of importance to the profession on a federal level.

23. Friends Foundation Update Friends of NYSRPS was formed to enhance the professional opportunities and growth of the state organization, affording members, fellow professionals, and the public the opportunity to make tax-deductible donations, which will be used for the advancement for the leisure service field. The primary focus is to generate resources initiating educational scholarship and development opportunities for students pursuing careers in the leisure service field, to foster advancement in research, and afford membership new professional training experiences. Fundraising – Most of this year’s fundraising consisted of contributions from our districts and affiliates. Thank you to all of membership for this show of support! Scholarships – This year two scholarships will be awarded to students of SUNY Brockport.

24. 2011-2012 Initiatives Annual Conference & Business Expo 72nd Annual Conference & Business Expo March 25-27, 2012 Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Springs, NY Committee Chair: Pete Finn of NYSOPRHP Others interested in participating on the Conference Committee should contact the NYSRPS Office.

25. 2011-2012 Initiatives Governance • Secretary of the NYSRPS Executive Board, Shannon Balbi of the Hilton-Parma Recreation Dept. • was appointed (Oct. 2010) • Region II Representative, Myla Kramer resigned after four years of service (Oct. 2010) • Jason Gallo of the Town of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation stepped up to finish out Myla’s • position as Region II Representative (Dec. 2010) • Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Richard Rose will be stepping down after eight years of service. The Board will be seeking replacements this May. • Region I Representative position on the Board needs to be fulfilled for next year. If interested, • please contact the NYSRPS office. • Special thanks to all our outgoing Board members for your time, services, and dedication! We also welcome all new Board members!

26. 2011-2012 Initiatives Membership • Examining our membership benefits and tracking methods in order to • better serve the needs of our members. • Would like to initiate a discount ski ticket consignment program for • members for 2011-2012.

27. 2011-2012 Initiatives Communications We are interested in re-vitalizing a Communications Committee who would assist with obtaining and providing articles for the various Society publications. The committee will be comprised of interested members, the Executive Director and Communications Coordinator, who plan to meet Spring 2011. In time, we hope this committee will come to serve as an editorial board, helping us select the best articles submitted for publication.

28. Message from President, Kevin Ocker Our Society remains an outstanding resource for the promotion of recreation, parks and leisure services in New York State. Steps are being taken to diversify the Society’s revenue centers as well as explore the merits of joining forces with organizations having similar missions, as we conference and offer one-day workshops together in the future. Importance of repositioning parks and recreation to ensure a viable future in each of our communities. Special thanks to: Annual Conference Co-Chairpersons, Charry Lawson and Tom White, and the Conference Committee for their outstanding coordinating efforts on this year’s conference. Our commercial members who even in these challenging fiscal times have found a way to contribute to the Society. NYSRPS Staff for an excellent job during this past year. As my term as President of the Society winds down I want to express my thanks to the members of the Executive Board, our Executive Office Staff, and membership for the opportunity to help carry out the Society’s mission and to be able to do it with such a great group of recreation, parks and leisure service professionals. It’s been a great experience.

29. Thank You to our Conference Sponsors THANK YOU!

30. Thank You to our Business Partners Anaconda Sports BSN Sports Maxian + Horst Parkitects/Site Specialists RenoSys Corp. SUNY Youth Sports Institute Vermont Systems Ward Associates ZuperEventz

31. Thank You to our Commercial Members Landscape Structures Modern Precast/ Hy-Grade Precast Musco Sports Lighting Paul O. Brown Co., Inc. Playsites + Surfaces, Inc. Rileigh’s Outdoor Décor Surface America Thor Guard, Inc. US Sports Institute USAgain USTA Eastern Voss Signs Yahn Tech Metals Young Explosives Corp. ACM Playgrounds Advantage Sport & Fitness American Ramp Company American Recreatonal Products Aquatic Facility Design, Inc. Barton & Loguidice, P.C. Bears Playgrounds Capturepoint.com Copeland Coating Company Economy Handicrafts Morgan Recreational Supply Franklin Paint Company GameTime Playground Equipment Kompan

32. Thank You to our Conference Exhibitors ACM Playgrounds Advantage Sport & Fitness American Ramp Company American Recreational Products Anaconda Sports Barton & Loguidice, P.C. Bears Sports BSN Sports/US Games Capturepoint.com Central New York Recreation & Park Society Century Sports Copeland Coating Company Economy Handicrafts e-Trak plus Franklin Paint Company Gametime/Marturano Recreation Hy-Grade Precast Innova Disc Golf Ithaca College Kompan Landscape Structures Mateflex Maxian + Horst Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Modern Precast Concrete Morgan Recreation Supply Musco Lighting Parkitects/Site Specialists Paul O. Brown Company, Inc. Playsites & Surfaces, Inc. Pool Renovators R.C. Systems RecDesk Software RenoSys Corporation Rileigh’s Outdoor Décor Rose & Kiernan, Inc. SSCI St. Joseph’s College SUNY Cortland SUNY Youth Sports Institute Superior International/Playland Surface America Terrabilt, Inc, The Active Network Thor Guard, Inc. US Sports Institute USAgain (2000), LLC USDA Wildlife USTA Eastern Vermont Systems Voss Signs, LLC Ward Associates, PC Yahn Tech Metals Young Explosives Corporation ZuperEventz

33. NYS Recreation & Park Society Thank you for coming and we hope you enjoy! For more information on the programs and services of the New York State Recreation and Park Society, please visit our web site at www.nysrps.org.