Some say there are two types of people in this world – those who live to work and those who work to live.   While I would like to tell you that I’m the latter, the truth is, I’m really not.  That’s right – I admit it. While I may preach about the importance of work-life balance, achieving this balance continues to be a daily struggle for me. And I suspect that many of you are right there with me.  C’mon, am I right?  

Early in my career, I worked in certain jobs that were less than satisfying.  At a certain point, I decided to accept only positions that were “right” for me.  Everyone has their own definition of what is right for them, but for me it’s a position that challenges my skills, honors my beliefs, and makes a difference in the lives of others. 

I also found that I need be inspired—but finding inspiration isn’t always easy.  Most recently, I have been really inspired by the members of NRPA’s Young Professional Network.  I’m impressed with their focus on getting things done and seeing results.  I’m in awe of their willingness to work together—volunteering for a greater good, working collaboratively toward common goals, and respecting history and tradition, without allowing the past to limit their future.  

How do I get this inspiration from the young professionals?  I take every opportunity that I have to sit in on their meetings and their conference calls.  The enthusiasm and energy of the young professionals are contagious.  And the inspiration I draw from them makes me realize how much we need more young professionals to lend their vitality, ideas, and commitment to NRPA.

The good news is that we have a great way to bring them into NRPA at no essentially no cost to them—through the new Premier Agency membership package.   This new membership category is designed to allow agencies to sign up all their full-time employees for a single agency membership fee, a fee which is very comparable to the rate presently being paid by many agencies for far fewer employees and board members. 

The premier membership includes full benefits for all designated members, such as member pricing for Congress attendance, publications, and online learning—as well as access to the Knowledge Center and NRPA Connect professional networks.  The only exception is that premier package members will receive a digital version of Parks & Recreation, rather than the printed version. 

Directors who have signed up their agencies recently have told us how much they like this new membership category—it will give literally hundreds of their employees access to topical new knowledge, outstanding professional development opportunities, a direct path to certification, and unparalleled networking potential through NRPA’s professional networks.

These benefits will give young professionals a competitive edge in their careers and enable them to learn from leaders in the field about innovative practices.  NRPA members in the premier Membership category will benefit from new research, including the ability to access up-to-the-minute market research and custom data reports through PRORAGIS. 

Finally, the impact on advocacy for parks and recreation will be enhanced by the power of our collective voice on Capitol Hill and in communities across the nation.  The fight to save parks and protect the jobs of our profession has never been more important, and NRPA is the only organization that does it for you.

So, what inspires you?