In This Issue...
Staying Healthy in Mose Lake
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How Do You Recreate?
City of Moses Lake’s Recreation and Aquatic Supervisor, Tom Los is pictured finishing a poker walk (well, more of a race for Tom!) for a health and wellness event. Tom may have taken second, but he will always take first place in the eyes of his daughter, Felicia Hardy! Nice work Tom!
How DO YOU recreate? Submit your photo to [email protected].
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Spotlight Professional - Susan Schwiesow
 Susan Schwiesow, who was recently promoted to Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Superintendent, began her career as a summer day camp counselor in New Hampshire. She enjoyed working with kids and making a difference in their lives. With that experience, as well as her love for sports and the outdoors, she continued her career in Parks and Recreation.
After graduating from college, Susan worked for Island Recreation Center in South Carolina and then leaped across the county to Washington State where she worked for Centralia Parks and Recreation and then settled in at Moses Lake Parks and Recreation. Susan has been heavily involved with organizations such as USA (ASA) Softball, Special Olympics, and AAU Basketball. In fact, she has been a pioneer for these programs in the Moses Lake area.
“Parks and recreation is very important to every community and individual as it is their time to do the things that bring passion and happiness to their lives… It warms my heart to be a part of this profession."
Learn more about Susan and her adventures.
2018 Park & Great Outdoors Legislative Day
 When: January 25, 2018 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Woman's Club of Olympia
Details: Join the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition and the Washington Recreation & Park Association at our annual Parks and Great Outdoors Legislative Day in Olympia!
Help us advocate for our state's premier outdoors fund, the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP), and tell your legislators why Washington's parks, wildlife habitat areas, and working lands deserve to be funded.
Never met with a legislator before? Don't worry! We will make sure you have everything you need.
Learn more about this exciting event and register today!
Help Make Your Parks, Facilities, and Programs Safer
 Register for WRPA Risk Management School
Don’t miss out! This is an exciting two-day program scheduled for January 24-25, 2018 at the Federal Way Community Center. The program will offer attendees the opportunity to learn about the best practices in risk management for parks, playgrounds, and recreation programs.
You can view the entire RMS schedule online, but here are a few highlighted topics:
- Emergency Management Model for Small Communities
- Volunteer Recruitment and Onboarding: Risk Management
- Cultivating Resilient Communities
- Legal Issues for Working with Minors
- Dealing with Difficult People (De-escalation)
- Does Your Aquatic Facility Keep You Up at Night?
- Beyond the Binary: LGBTQ Equity in Parks and Recreation
Early registration ends December 15, 2017!
WRPA Conference - Forging Links
Connecting People, Cultivating Ideas & Creating Excitement
Early registration is now open!
Join us in the City of SeaTac from May 1-3, 2018 for WRPA's Annual Conference and Tradeshow.
This event is a fantastic opportunity for you to join over 400 professionals for the chance to network, learn, and celebrate the recreation and park industry.
Make sure you catch this year's keynote address, "It's Game Time! Life Lessons from a Former Pro Female Football Player," presented by former pro female football player, Jan Spence. With contagious charisma and a zest for life, Jan is known for her highly interactive, entertaining, and inspirational style. A perfect fit for WRPA!
Learn more about the conference and the keynote speaker and register today.
Early registration ends January 1, 2018!
NRPA Blog - Afterschool Funding
In September 2017, the Senate Afterschool Caucus hosted a briefing including national partners such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Afterschool All-Stars, NRPA, and others to discuss the importance of afterschool programs and the critical role they can play in a child’s life. After great efforts and advocacy at the local and state levels, Congress voted to restore funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program.
Read more about the proceedings and the decision in NRPA's Blog post, "Afterschool Funding Saved" by Allison Colman and Kate Sims.
“Whether it’s connecting youth to sports, new friendships, tutoring, or eventually, employment opportunities, afterschool programs provide a safe, engaging and supportive environment...As one of the largest providers of out-of-school time (OST) programs, parks and recreation play a key role in reducing the achievement gap, improving childhood health, and helping to shape the next generation of workers.”
Where are They Now? - Members on the Move
- Brian Dubois, City of Ephrata Parks and Recreation Supervisor — previously Facility Supervisor for City of Loveland, CO Parks and Recreation Department.
- Beatrice Lorimor, City of Seattle Parks and Recreation promoted to Facility Lead — previously at the Woodland Park Zoo.
- Carrie Hoiness, Mose Lake Parks and Recreation Supervisor — previously Recreation Supervisor for City of Ephrata Parks and Recreation Department.
- John Huakau, City of Seattle Parks and Recreation promoted to Facility Lead — previously Utility Laborer for the Seattle Center.
- Kelly Ashe, City of Cheney Parks and Recreation Coordinator — previously Youth Sports Director for Joint Base Charleston, United States Air Force.
- Pam Escure, Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department Secretary— previously Felony Legal Secretary for Grant County Public Defense.
- Omari Bethea, City of Seattle Parks and Recreation promoted to Facility Lead — previously Utility Laborer for the Seattle Center.
- Kimberly Shelton, City of Everett Parks and Community Services Department — previously Community Center Supervisor for the City of Federal Way.
- Adrian Carver Hall, City of Seattle Parks and Recreation promoted to Volunteer Program Supervisor — previously Recreation Program Coordinator.
Did we forget someone? Are you a "Member on the Move?" Email us [email protected].
We Want Your News!
 Do you have news to share with your WRPA colleagues? Send any updates, photos, happenings, and socials to WRPA, so that we can feature your article in the next WRPAToday e-newsletter!
Send Us Your News Now!
Recent Job Postings
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WRPA Volunteer Opportunities
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Thank You, Sponsors!
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Why We Need You!
WRPA is membership-driven. We achieve only what we ourselves commit to doing. By sharing your energy and expertise, you will make WRPA an even more effective professional resource.
In fact, without you, we would not be able to offer any programs! Consider volunteering and helping our organization grow. Learn more about opportunities that have recently become available!
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