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Member Resources - General Information

The focus of the Member Resources branch of FRPA is providing helpful resources to Association members and maintaining a strong base or members. This is accomplished through the following activities: marketing FRPA membership to those in the field of parks, recreation or leisure services and to those interested in the profession, constant evaluation of member services and the recommendation of new services, and recognizing innovative professionals and programs through the FRPA Awards program.

Message from the Vice President Lucille Vaillancourt-Kreider, CPRP

FRPA continues to be a national leader in the Parks and Recreation Profession.  Its members are committed, informed, diversified in their goals and achievements, strong leaders, and are influential in advocacy pursuits.  I continue to look forward to providing beneficial professional services that will allow our members to be at the forefront of our profession.

In order to survive as a strong Association it is important not only to maintain a healthy membership base, but to grow.  Continued analysis of what is desired by our professional colleagues is essential. We have successful programs, FRPA 101 and many others.  Last year our membership engaged in a lengthy visioning plan which along with our board I will  help to implement what our members seek in this ever changing environment. 

On the horizon our membership will be faced with tough budget years and they are looking for more technology based education opportunities as well as information at their fingertips for research.  I look forward to the challenging term this year will bring and continue to implement new services wanted by you the member.

3(x-2) = 2x + 6. What is the value of x?

By:  Don Decker, CPRP, Director, Weston Parks and Recreation

 

3(x-2) = 2x + 6.  What is the value of x?  Does this bring back bad memories for you like it does for me?  I was horrible at math and I’m not afraid to admit it.  Why?  Well, for one thing, I had a hard time figuring out the value of x.  Some people have no problem identifying the value immediately.  For me I really had to think it through.

 

The value of an FRPA membership:  $140 = x.  This equation is just as complicated.  Just like we sometimes have a problem communicating the value of our work in our agencies and communities, FRPA has a hard time communicating the value of membership.  It doesn’t just present itself on a platter.  We have to think it through.  But it is important that we are able to communicate the value, particularly of personal investment as we recognize that agency budgets and personal budgets are being stretched.

 

iPod Classic:  Retails for $249.  Holds 40,000 songs or up to 200 hours of video.

 

To really figure out the value of membership we have to ask the very pointed question:  What can FRPA do for me?  The only way I really know how to answer that question is to tell you what membership has meant to me. 

 

I was introduced to FRPA in 1994 while on my internship with the City of Plantation.  My supervisor felt it was important to take me to a couple of District 8 meetings so I would get to know some folks in the area and take advantage of the training sessions that were being offered.  I have no memory of the training sessions but I do remember some of the people I met at those meetings, many of whom I am happy to call friends and peers today.

 

X = $18,500 annually.  That is what FRPA networking was worth to me back in 1994.  Ok, so I wasn’t a paid member then but because my mentors in Plantation were active members in FRPA they had the necessary contacts to help me get my first job offer.  As my internship was winding down Plantation did not have any immediate openings.  Fortunately, they were willing to help me find something in the area. An opening in Miami Shores and subsequent calls turned into an opportunity to interview.  I had never even heard of Miami Shores, let alone been there, but there I was interviewing for an athletics position.

 

Nintendo Wii:  Game console, 2 controllers and a 5 game starter pack on sale for $268.11.

 

X = Over $2,000,000 in 10+ years.  That is the amount of FRDAP dollars the City of Weston has been granted since our incorporation.  Is FRPA the reason for that success?  It isn’t the only reason but it has played a part.  You have to concede that the advocacy efforts of FRPA over the years have had some impact on the FRDAP program.  To what degree we cannot really know.  Even if the advocacy efforts of FRPA contributed to just 1% of the value of our grants then that is worth $20,000. 

 

$100/month or $1200/year:  The average cost of a cell phone.

 

Networking is the name of the game today.  Statistics say that as many as 80% of all jobs are filled through networking.  You cannot just send a resume or an application and hope for the best these days.  You must know people or, at the very least, know people who know people.  Can you network without FRPA?  Sure you can.  I would argue that it is a lot easier to network at FRPA functions.  What is the value of networking?

 

One of my former employees saw a position listed and asked me if I knew anyone that worked in the department that was hiring.  Although I did not know anyone well I was familiar with some of the staff there because of my involvement in FRPA.  I wrote an email to the Director and asked him to keep an eye out for my friend’s resume as she was worthy of consideration.  It is safe to say that he probably knew my name through FRPA so he actually opened the email and also considered a recommendation letter that I wrote.  Did that in and of itself get her the job?  No.  Did it help get her resume some attention?  I think so, and there must be a value in that.  For arguments sake let’s be conservative and say the value would be x = $.42 cents – the cost of a stamp.

 

Of course, you also need to be networking on your own behalf and I have consistently told people that there is not a job interview I have been on yet within our field that I did not get because of FRPA networking.  What is the value in that?  A career consultant can cost as much as $395.  A professional resume writer can charge up to $400.  Let’s just say that each job interview you land is worth $200.  In the ten years I have been in the field I have had five solid interviews which I value at $1,000, therefore x = $1000.

 

So, the $1400 dollars spent on 10 year’s worth of membership produced $39,500.42 for me, my community and one of my peers.  Even if I have invested another $2,000 in meetings and trainings that isn’t a bad return on investment, is it?  Ok, so maybe I am being a little liberal with my calculations but I trust you are getting the point.

 

Finally and perhaps most critically:  How do we address the perception that membership is too expensive?  I understand that $80, $140 or $190 a year is not pocket change.  And yes, there are some professionals who may not be able to swing it.  I also believe that, more than anything else, it comes down to priorities.  Of those who say they cannot afford it, how many are out buying the newest video game when it hits the shelf?  How many must have the newest phone or other gadget each time one comes out?  How many have stereo systems more valuable than your car?

 

If you are facing the decision right now of whether or not to pay out of pocket to retain your membership or if you are considering joining for the first time I would encourage you to make it happen.  I say that because I truly believe being an active member in FRPA is the right step in advancing as a professional and attaining career goals.  I cannot promise you that being an FRPA member is going to get you that next promotion or that new job you are eyeing, but I can assure you that the math is in your favor.

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