NYSRPS Special Member Spotlight
Luke Griff, Oneida Parks & Recreation Supervisor


NYSRPS would like to recognize 2015-2016 CNYRPS President, Oneida Recreation Supervisor & most recent David M. Guokas Memorial Award Recipient, Luke Griff for this month's E-News.

 Luke  represents all NYSRPS treasures in a park and recreation professional. He embodies all the qualities and spirit of the David M. Guokas Memorial Award by "making significant contributions to the advancement of the leisure field and demonstrating active participation in community service," 

Luke has a genuine passion to help others and is a natural born leader. He is an admired Board President of CNYRPS, truly appreciated by fellow board members and CYNRPS membership.  We are so glad he is blessed with a beautiful family, including a new baby boy.  We are a better Society because of Luke and all he has and continues to contribute. 

Pictured (from left to right) son Kieran (7), Luke, Ella (4), wife Kristin and baby Finn born January 21, 2016 weighing 8 lbs 2oz.  

SEE NYSRPS FINAL PROGRAM HERE 

VENDOR BOOTHS- SOLD OUT!!!
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER- DEADLINE 4/8!
TO REGISTER FOR CONFERENCE CLICK HERE
ALREADY REGISTERED? CLICK HERE TO ADD OFF SITE TOURS

A Special Request! By Tom Venniro
This Year's Annual Report will have a special showcase of YOU and YOUR PARK PROGRAMS! Please send the best pictures you have of your years' events to: tvenniro@parmany.org no later than 4/8.


A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR EVENT SPONSORS
FOR THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

 Bronze Sponsors
 

NYSRPS Business Premiere Partners



DON'T FORGET THE FAB FOUR GOLF OUTING S ee all details and to register click here

AROUND THE STATE

NYSRPS REGIONAL PARTNER CNYRPS CELEBRATES
AWARDS LUNCHEON MARCH 10, 2016
On March 10th, 2016 the Central New York Recreation and Parks Society celebrated its Annual Awards Luncheon recognizing 18 agencies/ individuals for outstanding service and programs in the field of parks and recreation. I personally had the incredible honor to attend and see firsthand who makes our Central NY park and recreation departments strong. 

CNYRPS was originally established in 1969 to promote the profession and field of leisure services for the Central New York area and serves Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, & Tompkins counties. We are honored to call CNYRPS a REGIONAL PARTNER and are made stronger by their influence and participation with NYSRPS. Thank you all for all you do! -Lisa Morahan, ED NYSRPS

For a full listing of award winners with photographs listed on the NYSRPS website visit the Awards page click here.
David M. Guokas Memorial Award winner Luke Griff with NYSRPS Executive Director, Lisa Morahan

Congratulations CNYRPS Award Winners

Onondaga County Parks Recipients
(see Program for full listing)
Distinguished Citizen
Dimitrios Georgiadis
BON VOYAGE and HAPPY RETIREMENT 
TO OUR NYSRPS MEMBERS AND STAFF! 

NYSRPS sends a fond farewell to New Rochelle Officer  Manager of 10 years Anne T. Romer

"On Jan. 1, 2006 Anne joined the Parks & Rec. Dept. as Office Mgr. and has been our stabilizing team member for 10 yrs. Colleagues past & present have described Anne with the following adjectives: fantastic, honest, reliable, patient, great, caring, harmonious, loyal, extraordinary, book worm, conscientious, Irish and grandma.

On a personal level, we have traveled many miles these past ten years&it has been a true pleasure to work with you during our tenure together. You have diligently served as my confidant & first line of defense admirably. To use a baseball analogy; we are only as strong as the weakest player on our team; you have truly strengthened our team & managed me well!" - William Zimmerman, New Rochelle Parks & Recreation Department
NYSRPS Wishes Dave Moriarty the Best!

"On March 16th, 2016, Dave Moriarty, Senior Recreation Supervisor retired after serving the Town of Henrietta for over 41 years. Dave has left a positive impact on both the Parks and Recreation Department as well as the community youth sports organizations. He has contributed to the foundation and growth of almost every program and special event the department currently offers. A very special thank you to Dave Moriarty for his dedication to enhancing the quality of life for Henrietta residents and we wish him well with his travels in touring the world as a retiree!"
 
- Jason Kulik, Henrietta Director of Parks and Recreation & 2016-2017 GVRPS President
In Remembrance...

NYSRPS recently extended condolences to longtime active member and Past President Bryon Bisonnette who recently suffered the loss of his beloved brother. Flowers on the behalf of the Society were sent and very well received at this most difficult time. We appreciate Bryon's expression of gratitude-

"Having friends to offer the kindness & comfort during a difficult time truly provides
comfort and solace for all of my family. A Thank You does not go far enough to express my appreciation to you, the Board and all of NYSRPS- truly my extended family.
My warmest regards- Bryon"

Happy Birthday Julie LaFave

Leave it to Julie to have CNYRPS Annual Awards Luncheon planned perfectly on March 10th to celebrate it with her!
HAPPY 21st Julie, again!???!

NYSRPS members, please share all news, significant milestones and achievements so we may share. All submissions must be received by the 15th of the month. Please send to lisa@nysrps.org

 

NYSRPS would like to extend a great big "Thank You!" to our friends with PTNY (Parks & Trails New York). Within the past few months PTNY had reached out to park partners, including NYSRPS, asking for a show of support by joining on to their letter writing campaigns. It appears their work has paid off and in a most recent press release they have shared the following budget news on in their PTNY E-Alert:

Parks and Environment Win Big in State Budget 

$90M for state parks projects, $300M for Environmental Protection Fund,
$500,000 for Park and Trail Partnership Program
Lawmakers voted in the early morning hours to approve a final budget for State FY 2016-17 that includes historic investments in state parks infrastructure, environmental programs, and grassroots Friends organizations. Parks & Trails New York worked hard to see these investments enacted, and we are thrilled be able to share this good news with our members and supporters.
 
PTNY applauds the Governor, the State Senate, led by Majority Leader John Flanagan and Environmental Conservation Committee Chairman Thomas O'Mara, and the State Assembly, led by Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chairman Steven Englebright, for crafting a state budget that will help grow the economy, promote tourism, and enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers. 

To see full article click here  
NYSRPS GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Core Elements Gym Partners With NYSRPS Researching Funding Opportunities

We are pleased to announce the partnership with Core Elements Gym to
secure grants from private foundations to help fund the purchase of outdoor gym machines. Thousands of companies have established private foundations that support initiatives in the communities they service by donating to non-profit institutions. With the assistance of Core Elements Gym, NYSRPS will apply to relevant foundations on behalf of towns who have an interest in purchasing outdoor gyms and who are seeking funding assistance. Towns throughout the US are installing outdoor gyms in parks to offer their citizens the ability to exercise free, outdoors and at any time. Current machines can offer varied workouts addressing all muscle groups and with adjustable levels of resistance. For more information and to submit your town as an interested potential applicant please contact esther@coreelementsgym.com.


GROWING TENNIS TOGETHER GRANT OPPORTUNITY

USTA Eastern is pleased to share a new grant opportunity with NYSRPS. This specific grant will award organizations who can deliver a significant show of growth in tennis participation. Priority will be given to grant proposals which:
* target school and after-school programs
* Hispanic outreach
* programs that can clearly demonstrate program expansion and creation

A new grant application system will enable users to:
* easily apply
* track distributed funding for various grants
* real time access to application status

Click here for 2016 Growing Tennis Together Grant specifics and application as well as many other grant opportunities available. 

Sincerely,
Joe Steger
USTA Eastern Tennis Service Representative, Western Region




NYSRPS is very pleased to share a relationship with our fellow park, recreation and therapeutic professional associations around New York State and is glad to share their latest happenings with our NYSRPS members.
___________________________________________________________________________
 
 
From LILSA Board President Gail Lamberta:
 
COME TOGETHER, RIGHT NOW!!  We are looking forward to seeing you all at the next NYSRPS Annual Conference and Business Expo, April 17th-19th at the Hyatt Regency, Hauppague, Long Island.
 
Our committee has planned an exciting and full three days for all of our delegates.  There will be 70 educational sessions, four fantastic off-sites, a special social at the Long Island Aquarium and student social at Dave and Busters.  The conference will kick off on Sunday with a golf outing, followed by sessions and the grand opening of our exhibit hall, and much more! Our Keynote is NRPA President & CEO, Barbara Tulipane, who will have an invigorating message to share will all of our delegates. We will have a silent auction and raffle, with an array of great items. You will not be disappointed. Don't forget to register for this educational and memorable conference.  


*Affiliates must submit updates by the 15th of each month to make the E-News on the 1st each month
This month's E-News is brought to you by NYSRPS & Business Premiere Partners 








Advertising Opportunities Now Available 
for 2016 Summer/Fall Voice

This edition will feature  Our Prized Possessions and will feature a very special Buyers Guide.
All articles and submissions must be received no later than the 15th of each month for consideration for publication. Thank you very much, Lisa Morahan- NYSRPS Executive Director