Branches & Programs

PARK Branches & Programs
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2004
CABELA’S , HAMBURG, PA

President Chris Lessig called the meeting to order at 10:07 am. The following members were present: President Chris Lessig, Recording Secretary Judy Houck, Membership Secretary John Mikowychok, Members At Large –Sherry Acevedo, Gary Pinkerton, Neal McNutt and Kurt Uhler.

Minutes – The minutes of the Executive Committee meeting held on December 10th were reviewed and approved as submitted. Gary did not receive his copy via email due to a technical problem. Judy will re-send them to him. The minutes will also be sent to the PRPS Office so they can be posted on the website.

Website – Discussion was held regarding the categories on the website that are listed under the Park Branches & Programs. Judy presented a handout which she had downloaded from the website. Although there are 9 categories listed, there isn’t any information listed under the titles. Chris will contact the PRPS Office to determine how information gets posted.

2004 Conference - Chris thanked Sherry and Kurt for all the hard work they put into working on sessions as part of the Program Committee. Cathy and Steve, Conference Co-Chairs commented to Chris about the quality job that the Park Branches & Programs representatives did. There will not be a Branch social at the Conference. Leon Mazurie is still looking for Room Hosts for several sessions and the Local Arrangement Committee is also looking for assistance.

2005 Conference – John Hoover and Karen Franck are the Co-Chairs for the 2005 Conference, which will be held in Hershey. We need volunteers to serve as our representatives on the Program Committee. We should look to other Branch members for these positions, not just the Executive Committee. John will monitor the “Update” issues and send a welcome letter to new PRPS members who choose Park Resource as one of their branches. He will draft the letter for Chris’ review and signature. The letter will also encourage the members to become active in the Branch by requesting their assistance with specific events.

2004 Park Operations School – Neal spoke with the Cabela’s representative. They have a room that can accommodate 90 people which rents for $150 for the day and includes tax. Meals are extra and there are various plans that could be used, including “lunch on your own”. Vendors would set up in the parking lot. Berks County’s Kaercher Creek Park is 10 minutes away and could be used as an “on-site”. We need to offer pesticide credits. Neal has been in contact with the Extension agent and is waiting for a response regarding the number of credits, categories that would be applicable and session topics.

The dates of the school this year are August 11th and 12th. It was decided to hold it at Cabela’s on August 11th and in western PA on the 12th. Gary is still looking for a facility. Some suggestions were Slippery Rock, the Community College or a municipal facility. Gary will also contact the PA Dept. of Agriculture for a local person to provide the pesticide course. Chris is looking for a national speaker to cover the tree session for both dates.

We need vendors to help offset the cost of the sessions. We charge a $50 vendor fee. Judy will develop a vendor letter and provide copies to Chris, Gary and Neal. Anyone who has a possible vendor should contact Chris. He will be keeping a master list of vendors who are contacted so they don’t get repeated. The vendors will be asked to donate door prizes. Everyone will be given a ticket at registration and prizes will be drawn after lunch or at the end of the day. Any vendor involved with park maintenance operations can be invited. We need to look for ones in the vicinity of the sessions.

“Branches” – The Winter/Spring 2004 issue should be in the mail by next week. The next issue will highlight South Middleton Township. Deadline for information for that issue is April 9th. Publication is scheduled for June 1st. If enough information is ready, John will include a feature article on the Park Operation School. John is also working on several articles but they aren’t finished. Anyone who has new articles should submit them to John whenever they are complete and he will keep them on file and use them as soon as possible. The 3rd issue will highlight the Fall Membership Meeting.

Plan of Work – Judy distributed copies of the Plan of Work, which listed only those sections applicable to the Park Branches & Programs. Our first items are the vision and mission statements for the Park Resource Management and Watershed Protection & Environmental Issues Resolution centers of the PA Institute for Recreation and Parks. After much discussion and several versions, the following will be submitted to the Board for approval:

Park Resource Management Center
VISION – To enable and empower professionals, volunteers and public officials to be effective stewards of the natural and recreational resources of the Commonwealth.

MISSION – To provide park facility and natural resource practitioners an ongoing opportunity for training and education in the design, construction, maintenance and operation of parks, trails, open space, natural, cultural and historical resources.

Watershed Protection & Environmental Issues Resolution
VISION – To advocate the wise planning, use and regulation of water resources for Pennsylvania’s environmental and economic health.

MISSION – To provide technical tools for and take an active role in the protection of water resources by focusing on planning, restoration and education.

Old Business

Raffle – Tickets are still available from Judy. Tickets and money are due no later than the Conference. She will accept money and ticket stubs at any time. If you want to send your money and tickets via mail, please make one check payable to PRPS and send them no later than March 12th.

“PRPS Magazine – Scott Cope and Larry Williamson are the editors for the summer issue. If anyone has any facility they would like profiled, please send it to Vanyla as soon as possible. The deadline is April 1st and the issue will highlight Trail Maintenance and Development.

New Business

Elections – Terms expire in March for all of the Members At Large. Those present agreed to be placed on the ballot. Lindsay Taylor and Jake Blaker have indicated that they can no longer continue to serve. We need to look for new members. Please send any suggestions to Chris and he will contact them.

Announcements –
Next Meeting – Chris will try to arrange a breakfast or lunch meeting at the Conference. A meeting notice will be sent as soon as details are known.

With there being no further business to attend to, the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Houck
Recording Secretary