Professionalism

in the leisure services profession ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATION Training and Development

Profession

► A group of people with specialized knowledge or training ► includes a governing body that determines membership criteria ► a discipline requiring extended education over a common and specific body of knowledge ► a group with a common mission

A professional

► ► ► ► ► one recognized by some combination of their skill, training, education and experience to be well qualified for their position ( may be certified) someone who gives back to the profession someone who contributes above and beyond the basic job requirements (their own time & money) someone motivated by service & goals of profession a member of a professional organization

Benefits of belonging to a profession organization

►

Services

     professional development (conferences, workshops) networking career growth - job placement Information (newsletters, bulletins, video, and technical assistance common advocacy (strength in numbers)

Additional benefits

► personal fulfillment ► fellowship ► recognition (awards) ► research ► aids in growth and development as a professional ► leadership (hold office)

Certification NRPA certification site

► applies to individuals ► in the recreation and park field, individuals can become certified at several levels ► CPRP (certified park and recreation professional) ► PPRP (provisional park and recreation professional) ► APRP (Associate Park and Recreation Professional)

1.

2.

CPRP (certified park and recreation professional)

A bachelor's degree from an by official transcript, and

Examination

; OR

NRPA/AALR Accredited Program

successful completion of the

CPRP

verified A bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited education institution (without NRPA/AALR accreditation), verified by official transcript, with a and no less than major in recreation, park resources and leisure services two years of full-time experience resources and leisure service position following the degree, and completion of the CPRP examination ; OR in a recreation, park successful 3.

A bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited education institution, verified by official transcript, with a major other than recreation, park resources and leisure services following the degree, and and no less than five years of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources and leisure position successful completion of the CPRP examination .

-

( provisional PPRP park and recreation professional)

. This level is for those who meet the educational criteria but have insufficient experience to qualify for the CPRP level. It may be achieved by any of the following ways: 1.

A bachelor's degree from an NRPA/AALR accredited program, or 2.

A bachelor's or higher degree with a major in recreation, park resources, and leisure services; or 3.

A bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than recreation, park resources and leisure services and no less than three years full time professional experience (following the degree). *PPRP is intended to be a temporary status which can only be used until a candidate has had an opportunity to sit for the CPRP Exam. If a candidate fails the exam, they may reapply for provisional status, but they may not remain in this status for more than three years after the date of their first application for certification.

APRP

Associate Park and Recreation Professional ► ► must have a 2 year degree in parks and rec and working in the field, or any 2 year degree and no less than 2 years of full time experience in the leisure services profession, or A high school diploma or equivalency certificate verified by official documentation and no less than four years of full time experience in a recreation, park resources, and leisure service position following the diploma or certification. * An associate must seek CPRP status should they complete the necessary education and experience requirements. Those professionals who are qualified for CPRP or PPRP may not remain in a APRP status.

Continuing Education

► An important part of certification is continuing education ► Professionals (CLPs, RLPs, and CLAs) must continue their professional development by earning 2 CEUs (continuing education units) every 2 years ► one CEU is equivalent to 10 hours of instruction

EXAM Requirements

► Must apply to either NRPA or the state affiliate with a certification plan ► Kansas has its own state certification board ► application fee is approximately $30 ► exam fee is $175

Accreditation

►

applies to the institution

  in other words, the curriculum/program is reviewed to ensure that it complies with national standards National standards are set by the Accreditation Council ► areas reviewed include faculty, courses to ensure they result in certain competencies, budget, facilities, and program philosophy

Accreditation options

► Leisure Services Management ► Leisure Recreation Program Delivery ► Natural Resources Recreation Mgmt ► Therapeutic Recreation

Process of Accreditation

► application ► school conducts an extensive self study where it addresses each of approximately 150 standards ► schools hosts a visitation team which reviews self study and overall program for 3 days and submits a report to council ► if approved, must be renewed every 5 years

Benefits of Accreditation

► Assures program quality that meets the highest professional standards ► makes certification of graduates easier (no 2 year to take CLP exam) ► gives recognition to program, elevating its status on campus

Training and Development

►

Training

 provides skill for a specific task ► turf clinics, computer workshops ►

Development

 prepares employee for future (fulfills, enriches, results in personal growth) ► retreats, conferences, executive development seminars, etc..

Question

► Is is more expensive to recruit new employees or to train and develop existing employees?

►

Consider

  new (must recruit, no productivity during search and orientation) existing (travel and enrollment costs of training high)

Why is training and development important?

► 1. Training leads to improved job performance (such as reduced complaints after a hospitality seminar..or more efficient registration after a computer class) ► 2. Self Improvement leads to improved work attitudes (improved initiative and self confidence) ► 3. Attracts prospective employees (incentive) ► 4. Meets affirmative action guidelines ► 5. Reduces turnover (saving money)

Determining need for training

►

Conduct a needs analysis

   of organization ► review accident rates, absenteeism, turnover rates, complaints, areas of low productivity, unmet goals, decline in sales, etc.

of job ► re-certification (guards, professionals) ► special opportunities (computer graphics, disciplining for new supervisors, etc..) of employee ► is the employee ready for more responsibility?

► What will improve their productivity in their present job?

Categories

►

Major skills

  conceptual ► planning, policy development interpersonal ► leadership, communications  technical ► computers, tournaments, law enforcement ►

Basic skills

 report writing, budget preparation

On-the-job -Training

► Advantages  inexpensive, little loss of productivity, hands-on experiences ► Examples  supervisory assistance (coaching, counseling)  job instruction (supervisor or peer instruction)    employee sharing (in house seminars,field trips) job rotation (gives holistic view by knowing many jobs at one level before advancing (from Japan )) assistantships,internships (gives broad/shallow perspective)

Off-the-job Training

► ► ► ► Advantages:  new perspectives, NETWORKING   someone else handles details (saving agency time) Examples Workshops, Conferences, Lecture Series, etc..

 Earn CEUs for quality experiences Executive development programs  retreats, problem solving Simulation training  case studies, role playing

Training and Development Opportunities

►

NRPA Training calendar

Here are some training opportunities for the field of parks and recreation. This calendar consists of NRPA's programs and those of organizations affiliated with NRPA.

Measuring effectiveness

►

Be careful in your critique as long term benefits may result that are very difficult to measure

► nonetheless, look for the following  does employee behavior change as a result ► could ask for interview, presentation, test    were complaints reduced did registration increase did agency save money in improved efficiency ► it is hard to determine if the training caused the change. A vacation may have done as much

Aquatics

► Red Cross First Aid/CPRAFO Course, Colorado Springs ► ► ► ► ► (NRPA sponsored aquatic facility operators course) State Aquatics Conference (every state has one) Lifeguard Training (available locally and regionally....5-20 sites per state) and through various suppliers Ellis and Associates (video $100) Safe Boating (example: KDWP Boat Safety Seminar 6 -8 hour workshop)

Safety and Security

► ► ► ► ► Playground Safety Institute (New Hampshire) NRPA sponsored (also in some states) Safety Management Conference (Ntl. Sponsored by NRPA, also regional) Implementing Safety Standards (speaker at state conference) Driver Safety (available in most states) Risk Management and Safety School (Western Reg = of NRPA, Colo Springs, CO) Office

Executive Development

► ► ► ► ► ► ► Leadership and Professional Training Institute (Midwest Reg Office of NRPA) Rocky Mtn. Revenue School (Midwest Region, NRPA, Estes Park, CO) Ntl Exec. Development School (Albuquerque, NM, NRPA) Legislative Conferences (National, NRPA) (State Level by State Rec Associations) Graduate course at Universities Sales Presentation Techniques (private suppliers like VERBACOM) Management Seminars (private suppliers like UCAN MANAGE)

Sports Specific

► ► ► ► ► ► ► NYSCA or ASEP certification (local) Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs (5-10 sites/year per state) Sport Scheduling Training (computer software suppliers, and state conferences.) Athletic Business Conference (for major purchasers, building construction, association management, and AD = s) (National) Florida and other States Sports Management Conferences Sessions on sports at state rec conference Sessions on sports at NRPA Congress (national)New Hampshire conference on Sport Ethics NCAA and Ntl. Federation of High School Athletics videos

Office

► ► ► ► ► ► Key Boarding (Wichita training manual lists this).  (It would be available in most large communities and at VoTech school and Universities and Adult Ed programs Employee Training Institutes  (trains employee trainers) (regional or large cities) Software Developers  (workshops on specific software, WordPerfect, Lotus, etc...) New Horizons Computer Learning Centers  (large cities nationwide) VoTechs offer dozens of related training seminars  Sexual Harassment training (how to avoid) On the Job training (by other employees )

Maintenance

► ► ► ► National Park Planning and Maintenance School  (West Region, NRPA) In-house workshops and Seminars Sessions at State conferences Day long workshops and clinics  put on by Arborists, Pesticide Certifiers, etc..Small engine repair (locally available)