- About
- Advocacy
- Professional Development
- Membership
- Get Involved
- Grants & Awards
- Resources
|
CONFERENCE SESSION BLOCK 3
|
| Session 3B: Day 1 Wednesday, May 17 | 3:30 PM — 4:45 PM |
The Relation between Leadership and High-Performing Teams
Description:
What do high-performing teams all have in common? Great leaders for sure, but there is more to it! During this presentation, we will look at what these teams and their leaders do differently, and explore the driving principles that shape their success. Please come ready to explore the dynamics that lead to high-performance.
Presented by:
Speaker: Kate Rogers, Senior Training and Development Analyst, City of Redmond
Biography: Kate has extensive knowledge with her most recent work being with T-Mobile as a Senior Leadership Development Consultant. Kate has a Bachelor's degree in communications from Seattle Pacific University and she also holds certifications in PHR, SHRM-CP, and Executive Leadership Coaching.In her free time, Kate enjoys music of all kinds, playing piano, and reading. Also, Kate and her husband like to shower their little dog, Wall-E, with love.
Moderator: Ryan Goodman, Customer Experience Supervisor, City of Redmond
Biography: Ryan is a dedicated professional who oversees citywide customer service at the City of Redmond. With a wealth of knowledge under his belt, he has worked with several recreation service providers, including the Redmond Boys & Girls Club, City of Mercer Island, and the Si View Parks District. A proud alumni of Washington State University, Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a minor in business. In his leisure time, Ryan enjoys exploring new restaurants with his wife, playing golf and basketball, traveling, and rooting for the Cougs!
Zach Houvener, Deputy Parks Director, City of Redmond
Biography: Zach serves as Deputy Parks Director for the City of Redmond, overseeing the Engagement and Recreation divisions. His decade-long experience in various departments of municipal governments, particularly Parks and Recreation, has equipped him with a diverse skillset. Zach is a graduate of Western Washington University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. His background spans recreation, customer service, marketing and communications, facilities, cultural arts, and capital projects. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife, their one-year old daughter, and Penny, their Hungarian vizsla.
Learning Objectives
- Foster deeper connections with your team and assess individual and team strengths
- Design alliances and adapt your communication style
- Implement strategies to help you adapt your leadership style accordingly
| Session 3C: Day 1 Wednesday, May 17 | 3:30 PM — 4:45 PM |
Beyond Staff Shortages: Navigating Pool Chemical & Equipment Shortages
Description:
Aquatic staffing shortages have been happening for years. In recent times, the problem of a shortage has extended beyond staffing. Today's aquatic centers are battling chemical and equipment shortages. This session will shed light on strategies to successfully keep your aquatic center running when the odds are against you.
Presented by:
Justin Caron, Principal, Aquatic Design Group
Biography: Justin Caron has worked on over 500 projects with municipalities, park and recreation districts, colleges, high school, resorts, and water parks as they studied, planned, programmed, designed, and constructed new or renovated aquatic centers. Justin received his MBA in 2009. He has presented multiple educational sessions at conferences for national organizations and regional organizations as well as having over a dozen articles published in national or international publications.
Learning Objectives
- The participant will gain an understanding of aquatic industry shortages and supply chain issues.
- The participant will be able to troubleshoot their aquatic operations during chemical and equipment shortages.
- The participant will know how to plan ahead so any impending chemical or equipment shortages cause minimal impact to operations.
| Session 3D: Day 1 Wednesday, May 17 | 3:30 PM — 4:45 PM |
Washington State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan: Results of the 2022 Resident Survey
Description:
Outdoor recreation provides a multitude of social and economic benefits to Washington State. Public, private, and non-profit organizations can benefit by understanding the latest trends concerning Washington State outdoor recreation participation, areas of demand, and trends for the future. The SCORP resident survey is completed every five years to better understand the outdoor recreation participation and needs of Washington residents. The survey is one component of the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which seeks to bring together resident needs, provider capabilities, and a vision of how the state can better provide opportunities for residents. The plan also ensures the state is eligible for federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This session will detail the survey methods that were used to collect resident data, explain the data at state and regional levels, and describe how particular outdoor recreation activities have changed over a five year period.
Presented by:
Jeremy Jostad, Associate Professor, Eastern Washington University
Biography: Jeremy Jostad is an Associate Professor and Outdoor Recreation Leadership Program Director at Eastern Washington University. He has worked in the outdoor recreation industry for over 20 years with public, private, and non-profit organizations. The majority of his academic research investigates the components and outcomes of wilderness-based recreation programs.
Jeremy Schultz, Assistant Professor, Western Carolina University
Biography: Dr. Schultz's passions revolve around communicating the value of leisure in society through experiential, critical, community-based classrooms. Having personal pursuits based mostly in natural resource recreation, Dr. Schultz is continually an academic and community advocate for conservation and recreation in the outdoors. Outside of academia, Jeremy also enjoys everything food—growing, harvesting, preserving, reading, photographing, and especially eating it.
Matt Chase, Professor, Eastern Washington University
Biography: Dr. Matthew Chase is a professor of Recreation and Tourism Management at Eastern Washington University. He also serves as program director for the three degrees housed in Recreation and Leisure Services (Recreation and Tourism Management, Outdoor Recreation Leadership, and Therapeutic Recreation). Dr. Chase has been working in the field of higher education for 34 years. He began his career working in student affairs. In 2000, he left student affairs and began a second career in academics. Prior to his employment in higher education, Dr. Chase worked for the National Park Service and he also served in the United States Air Force.
Ben Donatelle, Washington's Recreation and Conservation Office
Biography: Ben started with RCO in 2016 as an outdoor grants manager in the Recreation and Conservation Grant Section. Now as a policy specialist, he works with others to research, update, and create policy related to salmon recovery, recreation, and conservation. Ben came to RCO from Montana where he managed a bike and ski shop and worked for various nonprofits as a community organizer for public lands advocacy and trails development. Ben holds a master of science degree in environmental studies and master’s certificate in natural resource conflict resolution from the University of Montana. In his spare time, Ben enjoys bicycling, hiking, snowboarding, and exploring the great outdoors with his wife and their two poodles.
Learning Objectives
- The participant will understand the SCORP process and how agencies can access funding as a result of the process.
- The participant will understand the methods and results of the resident survey and how they might use this data to inform their agency.
- The participant will understand how the results of the survey informed the overall SCORP plan.
| Session 3F: Day 1 Wednesday, May 17 | 3:30 PM — 4:45 PM |
Partnering with CBOs to Extend Equitable Outreach
Description:
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) have the attention and trust of the communities they serve including historically-excluded communities who may not be reached by traditional parks and recreation messaging. At a time when institutional trust from government bodies is at all time lows, partnering with CBOs can help professionals work with trusted message carriers to listen in on conversations that are taking place around them, better strategize ways to reach communities, and extend the services you offer in culturally-specific, accessible, and relevant ways. Come discover how you cultivate your own CBO relationships and build meaningful partnerships based on mutual trust. From templates for community fair events in major parks to opportunities to reach underserved populations by bringing Parks and Recreation services and amenities to the community, you'll learn to work with CBOs to better meet your communities where they are.
Presented by:
Jessica Wade, Vice President of Account Services, DH Communications
Biography: A seasoned public relations and marketing talent, Jessica has managed campaigns for multiple statewide campaigns. She manages CBO outreach and equity programs with health nonprofits and transit agencies. She manages City of Spokane Parks and Recreation advertising and communications campaigns, including promotion of their golf courses, recreation services and park activities. She has supported Spokane Parks and Recreation with a brand refresh, crisis communications support, and Riverfront Park redevelopment branding and wayfinding.
Nico Archer, Partner, DH Communications
Biography: Nico has helped serve many communities across Washington, with an emphasis on populations that are historically excluded. He has designed campaigns alongside tribal, Latinx, LGBTQS2+, rural and youth audiences for public health organizations, transit agencies and private sector clients. A community advocate, Nico's approach is one of investment and trust in community partners. Nico led DOH's COVID-19 prevention campaign's community media outreach program, equipping leaders and community media in historically excluded communities with messages and grant funding to address COVID-19 vaccination rates. The first-of-its-kind program has partnered with over 200 community-based organizations.
Learning Objectives
- The participant will understand how to identify, approach and partner with community-based organizations as trusted message carriers and strategists to engage diverse communities in culturally responsive ways.
- The participant will be able to design their own community-specific/informed events and implement these ideas through the tools and templates outlined in the presentation.
- The participant will be able to explain and advocate for the concepts of the presentation to the rest of their organization who may not have been in attendance.
| Session 3G: Day 1 Wednesday, May 17 | 3:30 PM — 4:45 PM |
Pathways to Parks and Rec
Description:
How did we become a Parks And Rec Professional? We will explore the many journeys and opportunities we have taken to get to our current positions as to get to know and ease emerging professionals - YOU - into your own journey of Parks and Recreation. No two stories are the same. The experience you bring from your stops along the way leads to a diverse mindset in Parks and Rec.
Presented by:
Jared Bucci, Athletic Supervisor, Pierce County Parks
Biography: I am the Athletic Supervisor for Pierce County Parks. I oversee two athletic complexes and have direct scheduling oversight of 19 sports fields and one sheet of ice. I am a USA Hockey Level 5 Master Coach. I have coached youth and junior players for over 20 years. I also have had the privilege of coaching for USA Hockey at the National Level at the National Player Development Camp in Buffalo New York as a Team Leader. Prior to working in the Sports Industry, I owned a commercial construction company for 11 years.
Ethan Olson, Recreation Coordinator, City of Cheney Parks and Recreation Department
Biography: Ethan Olson is a Spokane-based Recreation Coordinator for the City of Cheney Parks and Recreation Department. Originally from Tacoma, Ethan graduated from Central Washington University with a bachelor of science in sport management, specializing in sport business and a master of science degree in sport administration also from Central Washington University. As a Recreation Coordinator, Ethan oversees all youth/adult sports and aquatic operations for the city. When Ethan is not supervising youth sport games and other recreation duties, you'll find him coaching high school lacrosse or playing on his men's league team.
Olivia Ryan, Recreation Specialist, City of Mercer Island Recreation Division
Biography: Olivia Ryan is a Recreation Specialist for the City of Mercer Island Recreation Division. Olivia went to Central Washington University and received her bachelor's degree in Recreation Management with an Event Planning Minor. Olivia was hired as the first Mercer Island Community and Event Center intern and continued her work there as a Customer Service Representative. During the pandemic Olivia helped develop and implement the city's call center. She is currently a Recreation Specialist involved with planning and executing city ran special events, future program development, and facilitating events at various city properties.
Learning Objectives
- The experience you bring from your stops along the way leads to a diverse mindset in Parks and Rec.
- There is no age requirement to get into Parks and Rec.
- Build confidence in emerging professionals to find their path. You might already know someone in Parks and Rec. Sometimes it is about the relationships you build