| Catch up on the latest news and happenings around the state. |
Spotlight Professional: Chris Powell
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King County Parks - Regional Scheduling Supervisor
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As the Regional Scheduling Supervisor for King County Parks, Chris manages the facility reservations team. As a unit they're responsible for managing the scheduling and use of King County’s assets, including ballfields, picnic shelters, indoor facilities, trails, wedding venues, moorage slips, and campgrounds.
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Join thousands of park and recreation professionals at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 8-10.
Register early to take advantage of the early bird discount: NRPA Registration.
For more than 50 years, the NRPA Annual Conference has been the premier event for the park and recreation community. Highlights include:
- Educational Opportunities: Earn CEUs from hundreds of sessions, ranging from entry-level to advanced courses.
- Networking: Connect with fellow professionals through scheduled events.
- Exhibit Hall: Explore products and services from more than 400 vendors with interactive exhibits.
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Park Arrest Illustrates First Amendment ‘Heckler’s Veto’
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The case of Meinecke v. City of Seattle, 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 9390 (9th Cir. 4/18/2024), arose after Matthew Meinecke was attempting to read Bible passages to attendees gathered in the City of Seattle during two occasions in June 2022: an abortion rally and an LGBTQ+ pride event.
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The EIB (Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Committee of the WRPA (Washington Recreation and Park Association) has been actively engaged in shaping the new Strategic Plan for the organization. Over the past five years, the Committee has diligently worked on initiatives aimed at empowering members to integrate principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging into their agencies. This effort has involved providing training sessions and equipping members with relevant resources.
Currently, the Committee's primary focus lies in offering feedback and consultation on the ongoing development of the Strategic Plan. Additionally, members are committed to supporting each other as they continue to advance EIB-related work within their respective agencies.
Meetings of the EIB Committee are scheduled for the second Friday of every month at 1:00 PM. WRPA members are encouraged to participate and contribute to these discussions, as the Committee welcomes input from a diverse range of perspectives.
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Announcements & Highlights
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Registration is still open for the 2024 Aquatics Conference, which will be held at McMenamins Anderson School in Bothell, WA. This conference offers a unique educational opportunity to learn about managing critical incidents, being proactive in guest safety, and exploring the future of the aquatics industry. Don't miss out!
REGISTER TODAY
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Registration is now open for the 2024 WRPA Fall Training, taking place on Thursday, November 7. We’re excited to return to the Tukwila Community Center for this event. Boost your leadership capabilities by participating and gain practical skills that you can apply right away in your organization.
LEARN MORE
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WRPA Legislative Interest Survey
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Share what is most important to your agency!
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Attention all members! The Washington Recreation & Park Association (WRPA) Legislative Committee is conducting a survey to pinpoint key funding priorities and legislative concerns for park and recreation agencies in Washington. Your input by September 16 is crucial in shaping our advocacy efforts and amplifying the voices of Parks and Recreation professionals.
TAKE THE SURVEY
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Join the WRPA community to make a real impact in parks and recreation. Your volunteer involvement is crucial for our success and growth. By joining us, you can shape the future of recreation and parks, collaborate on impactful projects, gain professional insights, and enjoy the camaraderie of contributing to meaningful initiatives.
REGISTER NOW
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Follow WRPA on Facebook and Instagram to never miss an update!
Engage with our posts, share your thoughts, and be a part of our growing community. Our social media is not just about information—it's about connecting with you. Join the conversation, meet like-minded individuals, and be the first to know about everything WRPA.
Don't forget to tag us in your photos and stories! We love seeing how you're involved and what WRPA means to you. Follow us today and become a part of our vibrant online community.
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We want to promote your agencies! Tag us on your agency's social media post to be featured on WRPA's social media accounts!
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Take a look at our WRPA upcoming future events by viewing the WRPA calendar.
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I hope you are all doing well as the summer winds to a close. Below are a couple of upcoming events that I want to make you aware of and encourage your participation. These will be great opportunities to connect with other professionals in your region.
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Parks & Recreation Professionals Informal
Gathering in Spokane
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Date and Time: Thursday, September 12 @ 5:30 PM
Location: No-Li Brewhouse | 1003 E. Trent Ave, Ste 170, Spokane, WA 99202
Hosted by: Jen Papich and Al Vorderbrueggen
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East Region Meet and Greet, including WRPA President Jen Burbidge, in Walla Walla
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Date and Time: Friday, September 27 from 9:00 AM to early afternoon
This event will include an opportunity to connect with WRPA’s President, a tour of two new downtown Walla Walla parks, bronze tree limb, new pickleball courts, lunch and more.
Hosted by Andy Coleman, East Region Director
More details, including rsvp info, to be sent by September 6
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WRPA is a membership-driven organization. By sharing your energy and expertise, you can help make WRPA an even more effective professional resource.
Become a volunteer and help WRPA grow. Learn more about valuable opportunities today!
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WRPA Networks are specialized groups that meet on a regular basis and communicate online. Joining a WRPA network gives you the opportunity to meet others in your specific field, like aquatics, maintenance, and programs.
Find your WRPA Network today.
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Thank You Renewing Members
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Agency Members:
- Bellevue Parks & Community Services
- City of Oak Harbor
- Clark County Parks and Lands
- Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District
- Issaquah Parks & Community Services
- Metro Parks Tacoma
- Redmond Parks & Recreation
- Snohomish County Parks & Recreation
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Individual Members:
- City of SeaTac
- Seattle Public Schools
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Member Data from July – August
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