HELLO SUMMER!! 
The season is upon us and despite my best effort to keep this E-News brief because you are all so very busy, it is still full of the latest information I thought you would like to see and opportunities you should know are available now. 

I wish you a very safe and happy June and as always, please send all your news to NYSRPS so we can share with all the 1st of every month. Enjoy and stay cool! -Lisa Morahan, NYSRPS ED

 
NYSRPS Membership Spotlight
 
Congratulations Craig R. Ross of Henrietta, NY

NYSRPS would like to congratulate the new Town of Henrietta Recreation Supervisor, Craig R. Ross.  Craig's first day was May10th and is responsible for Youth and Adult Sports programming as well as assisting with the management of the new Recreation Center that is currently under construction.  Thank you Jason Kulik for sharing this update with us and best wishes to you Craig as you lead Henrietta into this busy summer season!

-NYSRPS recognizes New Members  Alexa Caseli and Bhola Swizdor 
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NYSRPS is happy to have Mutt Mitt as a new commercial partner.
Mutt Mitt provides pet waste removal by their exclusive 2-ply Mitt technology. For cities and parks, Mutt Mitt offers complete pick up stations, including mitt dispenser, trash container, and signage. Mutt Mitts are 100% made and assembled in the USA.
 
Mutt Mitt has offered dog waste pick-up mitts since 1989 and are nestled on the banks of the Ohio River, in a quaint little town called Rabbit Hash, KY where Lucy Lou, a dog, is mayor. Mutt Mitt sells to both the commercial buyer and the home use customer. Please visit www.muttmitt.com to check out all Mutt Mitt has to offer. 

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NYSRPS Welcomes New Commercial Members
Jet-Blak  Your One Stop For all Sealer and Sealing Supplies
Franklin Sports  A Leading Sporting Goods Supplier Since 1946
 
Around the Nation

ANNOUNCING 2016 Young Professional Externship
Sponsored by: American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration
 
NYSRPS would like to share this terrific opportunity available to our young professionals. Both NYSRPS members Tom Venniro and Julie LaFave have received this prestigious honor and have benefited greatly by it. We as a State Society have also reaped their reward as both Tom and Julie are extremely active members on our Board and Strategic Planning Committee.
 
The Externship Program enables outstanding young professionals 35 years of age and younger in the parks and recreation field to interact with and learn from members of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, and other individuals who attend the NRPA Conference and its associated meetings. Up to four Externs are selected each year, of which two are Ernest T. Atwell diversity externships. 

Externs are paired with Academy members who serve as mentors during the NRPA Conference.
Externs may attend selected NRPA Conference meetings, socials, and educational sessions with their mentors or on their own. Mentors introduce Externs to their contacts and expand the young professionals' networks. After the NRPA Conference, Externs must write a brief evaluation report including: 1) an overview of activities they were involved in during Conference; 2) what they have gained from the program; and 3) strengths and weaknesses of the program, including suggestions for improvement.

"Being selected as an Extern afforded me the opportunity to not just simply attend the National Conference, but opened the door for meeting professionals on a nationwide scale. I was able to handpick from hundreds of educational sessions that were of true interest to me. I also benefitted from being mentored by a few of the top professionals in the field. Moving forward, attending last year has allowed me to request and receive permission from my local board to continue to attend the NRPA National Conference. The entire experience was truly career-changing." -Julie LaFave

THE DEADLINE IS JUNE 10th- so ACT NOW! Please see the following documents for complete application information. We thank Rich Rose for sharing this wonderful opportunity.

 
 
Around the State
 
NYSRPS Thanks President Paul Blake 
for a Year Well Served
 
Welcome Incoming 2016-2017 President 
Jeffrey Myers

NYSRPS is very happy to announce the incoming President Jeffrey Myers, Commissioner of Perinton Parks and Recreation who is marking a return to serve as NYSRPS Board President. We look forward to his leadership in 2016-2017.

Thank you all NYSRPS members who volunteer their time to serve on the NYSRPS Executive Board. Your service helps keep the Society on course to be the best support organization for park, recreation and therapeutic recreation professionals across New York State.

NYSRPS bi-monthly board meetings are open to all to attend and are mainly held at the SPA State Office in Saratoga Springs. Please mark your calendars for the 2016-2017 meetings:

Thursday, August 18, 2016, Saratoga Springs.
Thursday, October 20, 2016, Saratoga Springs.
Thursday, December 15, 2016, Saratoga Springs.
Thursday, February 23, 2017, Saratoga Springs.
April date to be determined, State Conference, Rochester. (April 2-4, 2017)
Thursday, May 18, 2017, Saratoga Springs.


CONGRATULATIONS goes to the City of Binghamton Parks and Recreation Department for participating in this year's Community Links Program Survey sponsored by Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

The NYSRPS Board voted to award the prize of one ticket for Full Registration for the 2017 Annual Conference for completing this year's survey request. The winner was chosen by raffle at the May 19th NYSRPS board meeting. Thank you to all who participated in the initial survey, and please stay tuned for how the survey findings will be used in future NYSRPS campaigns. 

Click here to see the full Survey Results by the Maxwell School.
 
Save The Date - Upcoming Events

Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course October 12-14th in Saratoga Springs, NY 

The National Recreation and Park Association is dedicated to promoting children's right to play in a safe and challenging play environment. It is NRPA's goal to train and certify at least one person from every community across the United States to be a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI). The CPSI program offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date training on playground safety as well as provides certification for playground safety inspectors. 


Any questions please call the office at (518) 584-0321 or email at meaghan@nysrps.org. 
22nd Annual Downstate Conference
Tuesday November 15th, 2016
Westchester County Civic Center- White Plains, NY
Hosted by METRO, HVLSA, NYSTRA, WRAPS AND NYSRPS

The 22nd Annual Downstate Conference Committee is currently seeking qualified presenters who have expertise and passion they would like to share with others during this one-day professional development conference for park, recreation and therapeutic recreation professionals. DEADLINE for submission is July 9th - so please rsvp soon.


Additional information may be obtained by contacting Meaghan Wilkins at meaghan@nysrps.org or by calling (518) 584-0321.

 
Grants and Fundraisers



The Eastern Adult Tennis Foundation (EATF) was created to bring attention and financial aid to a wide range of adult tennis programs. The Foundation's long-term goal is to help programs become self-sufficient. Below is more information about how to receive a grant to help support your local organization:
 
2016-2017 Eastern Adult Tennis Foundation Grant

ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY JULY 15th
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SUMMER AMUSEMENT TICKETS -
NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDER!  Every year NYSRPS partners with popular ski and amusement parks across NY to pass along a great savings and give our membership a way to make a few dollars by selling these discounted tickets. This consignment program is a NO RISK way for you to extend a valuable service to your residents and raises a few dollars along the way for you and NYSRPS. 

Any questions please call Lisa Morahan at (518) 584-0321 or email at lisa@nysrps.org. 
Your residents can save an average 40%+ on the most popular Amusement Parks across NY!  



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.
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GVRPS Announces their 2016-2017 Executive Board
 
President: Jason Kulik, Town of Henrietta 
President-Elect, Ashley Vent, Town of Chili 
Past President: Janelle Drach, City of Geneva 
Secretary: Diana Weber, Town of Perinton 
Treasurer: Stacey Piddisi (Estrich), Town of Perinton 
Members-at-Large: Pete O'Brien, Town of Greece 
Nick Berlin, Town of Ogden 
 
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From LILSA Board President Dr. Gail Lamberta:
 
 
 
Spring is finally paying Long Island a visit, or at least here and there. We finally had a few sunny days after a long string of rain, well, for a short while. As we begin to prepare for our summer program season, the LILSA board has been busy wrapping up the final details from the NYSRPS Annual Conference, and moving forward with some educational and social events.
 
We have a few exiting events coming up:
 
LILSA will be offering a Transgender workshop on Friday, June 3rd from 10:00AM-12:00PM at St. Joseph's College, NY. The cost will be $15.00, which includes the fee for CEU's.
 
On Wednesday, August 3rd, LILSA will sponsor a Bowling Night at the Commack AMF lanes. Come on out and join us for a fun night of bowling, networking, and friendship.
 
LILSA has scheduled a half-day TR conference, which will be held on Thursday, October 6th at The Bristol Assisted Living at Massapequa.
 
Additional information for all of the above events will be forthcoming and posted on our website at lilsa.org.

*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 



"Our Prized Possessions"  2016 Summer/Fall Voice
Advertising Opportunities 
Now Available  This edition will also 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