WRPA 2021 Conference Breakout Session Block 1 

• Session 1A
• Session 1B
• Session 1C
• Session 1D

Mind & Body Wellbeing in Crisis

Description: 

2020 may be over but the challenges that we faced continue:  COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying political division, racial and social injustices, and climate crisis just to name a few!  As Parks and Recreation professionals our need to care for and provide for our communities can cause us pressure, stress, and anxiety especially during these unprecedented times. Ken is often on the front lines of crisis in our country.  Explore with him the idea and importance of caring for ourselves while caring for others, and using our bodies to help us rise above the storm.

Presented by: 

Ken Nwadike, Jr is a peace activist, motivational speaker, and video journalist known as the Free Hugs Guy online. In 2014, Nwadike launched the Free Hugs Project to spread love in response to the bombing of the Boston Marathon. Nwadike has made major news headlines for his peace-keeping efforts and de-escalating violence during protests, riots, and political rallies. Nwadike has made many appearances on news programs worldwide, including CNN, USA Today, Good Morning Britain, and BBC News. Ken was the keynote speaker at the 2017 National NACA conference, a speaker at the 2018 and 2020 national conferences, and several regional NACA events.

Ken is a favorite on campuses nationwide and is frequently invited to return. Ken engages people in conversations of understanding, and compassion amidst the rising tide of hatred and racism. His keynote and interaction with people create unity and builds community, reminding them that we are all humans in need of love.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize when you are in crisis
• Realize the importance of and benefits of self-care and taking time for yourself
• Understand that making yourself a priority creates space for you to become a better caregiver to others

Intersectionality Is Core to the Advancement of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EIB) - Here's Why

Description: 

Are your equity initiatives truly centering those most in need and those who have experienced historical injustice? The advancement of EIB requires intentional focus and movement for change that is centered in intersectionality. It's true, organizational strategy and culture must lead with embedding antiracism and racial equity. We must also push further to recognize the importance of leading with race AND challenging, holding as closely, and centering other forms of oppression that exists in the spaces of intersectionality.

To truly undo systems of oppression and ensure that parks and recreation investments, services, and workplace culture center those most in need and those most affected by historical injustice and acts of oppression, we must deepen our understanding of what intersectionality is, how it shows up, how it's silenced and develop the skillset and tools to challenge, dismantle, and reimagine systems that allow the access and opportunity for all to thrive.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand what intersectionality means and how it needs to manifest to advance equity, inclusion, and belonging in parks and recreation agencies.
• Proactively seeks out additional learning opportunities and equity analysis tools on intersectionality to apply learning to everyday work and relationships.
• Recognize and challenge organizational practices that exclude people that have been historically marginalized and exist in intersectionality (based on race + gender, orientation, ability) and be inspired to change such practices.

Presented by: 

B Hill, Equity and Engagement Strategic Advisor Social Justice Strategist, Change Agent, Seattle Parks and Recreation

B Hill is a social justice strategist and advocate, with many years of personal and leadership experience moving agencies from theory to action. B's lived experience has been at the intersection of race, gender, and identity and serving as a change agent for those experiencing marginalization and for the advancement of racial and gender equity.

Shanyanika McElroy, Policy and Organizational Performance Advisor, Seattle Parks & Recreation

Shanyanika McElroy believes that today's public servants have a responsibility to undo the harm caused by a legacy of oppressive government policies and practices. She has enjoyed a 20-year career focused on removing barriers that prevent marginalized community members' access to recreation experiences. Shanyanika currently serves at Seattle Parks and Recreation and is a WRPA Board Member.

Using Augmented Reality to Create Engaging Educational Experiences

Description: 

Join this session with Metro Parks Tacoma to find out how they are using Augmented Reality (AR) to share fun and educational programming with youth in their community. Through AR, and using the platform Agents of Discovery, Metro Parks Tacoma is making their conservation education materials accessible to a broad audience and creating engaging learning experiences for digital natives. The purpose of this presentation will be to share about Metro Parks Tacoma’s ongoing innovative initiatives that employ AR-based educational content and to discuss the effectiveness of using AR technology to engage learners everywhere.

Educational mobile gaming platforms use augmented reality, geofencing, and image recognition to get players active. They empower educators and managers of public spaces to link location to learning and creating engaging, fun, and safe learning environments on-site or at-home.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn about how AR can be used to get youth interested and engaged in content created and shared by public lands.
• Participants will learn about the benefits of using AR technology to get youth physically active and learning at the same time.
• Participants will learn about how AR can be used to create portable programs that can be used in a diversity of ways, including for special events.

Presented by: 

Michele Cardinaux, Nature Center Supervisor, Metro Parks Tacoma

Michele Cardinaux, B.S., M.A., Humboldt State University, CA
Michele has been the Program Manager & Facility Supervisor of the Tacoma Nature Center since 2005. With a background in interpretation at county, state, and federal parks throughout the west, and experience at other nature centers, residential outdoor schools, and a zoological facility Michele is well-positioned to lead the staff in educational, fun, and innovative programming. She especially enjoys finding meaningful and fun ways to engage visitors in non-traditional programming, especially important during the current pandemic.

Joel Krupa, CAO, Agents of Discovery

Joel brings over 10 years of experience in technology, real asset development, and government to the Agents of Discovery team. He is a lead on finance, human resources, and operations within the firm. Joel holds degrees from the University of London (London School of Economics), the University of Oxford, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia. In addition, he has been awarded visiting research fellowships at research centers affiliated with Imperial College Business School and the University of Oxford.

WRPA Today, and WRPA Tomorrow – A Round Table Discussion About Planning for Our Best Future

Description:  

The world has changed and our industry has played a pivotal role in society’s response. As we all evolve and grow as individuals and professionals, we look to the WRPA as a community that connects us, inspires us, and a resource that empowers us to continue to shape our evolving profession. This interactive discussion is designed as a membership check-in, and a “Launch-Pad” to shape WRPA post-pandemic and beyond!  How can our organization evolve and grow in the future to meet new realities, yet also carry forward its best and most valued assets and support of today? Whether you are brand new to the association, or a decades-long veteran, please join us to share your input about how the WRPA IS and CAN BETTER meet your needs. 

Presented by: 

Paul Simmons, Director, Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation

Paul is the Director of Olympia Parks, Arts, and Recreation and is currently wrapping up his term as WRPA President. He has been active in multiple WRPA Networks and Committees throughout his career and is looking forward to engaging with the membership in 2021 to update and the vision and goals for the association.

Guy Michaelsen, Berger Partnership

Guy is a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer who works in, and passionately advocates for, the public realm, including parks, trail corridors, streetscapes, and public spaces. He believes in action over perfection and a drive to make community change happen NOW! He has a passion for inspiring others to imagine “what can be,” challenging the typical through entertaining presentations (long-winded, but high energy!) on a variety of subjects including challenging the role and opportunities of our urban landscapes. Guy is a strong believer in finding and creating awesomeness and the power of speaking things into existence!

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