Networking is an important benefit to NRPA members — with more than 48,000 park and recreation professionals making up the association’s membership, there are multitudes of people who understand your professional concerns and want to share ideas with you. We offer networking through the NRPA Annual Conference, volunteer opportunities, the Open Space blog and many other venues, but one you should not overlook is the association’s exclusive online tool called NRPA Connect.
NRPA Connect is the premier professional networking platform for park and recreation professionals. On this site, members can associate with other park and recreation professionals nationwide through the Open Forum, Networks, volunteer groups and the member directory. It’s fast and easy to get started. If you’re already an NRPA member, you are automatically subscribed to the Open Forum using the same username and password you use to access www.nrpa.org. Once you’re logged in, you have full control over your profile. Set your privacy preferences so you decide what other members see, edit your profile under the “Edit Contact Information” section and populate your profile easily by transferring information straight from your LinkedIn account.
All set up? Engaging with your peers has never been so convenient! Some of the many ways to participate include joining a topical Network, sharing on the Knowledge Center, or posting and idea or inquiry on the Open Forum. The Knowledge Center is a wonderful resource where members can view and share documents, such as master plans, volunteer management best practices, guidelines for establishing fees and more with agencies all over the country.
Whether you post a problem you are facing in your career and collaborate with peers to come up with a creative solution or share a success you recently experienced at your job, you can easily gain knowledge, support and inspiration by utilizing the tools available to you as a member. Recently, one member posted about a problem with trying to develop an employee incentive plan. Within hours, she received several replies with ideas of past programs that had worked for other professionals. Many of the ideas were budget-friendly, easy to manage and were proven to boost morale. Having access to experts and innovative minds in your field is invaluable; it allows you to gain a new perspective, expand your professional network and excel in your career.
NRPA Connect has recently been upgraded, which is great news for members. The new and improved version is now 100 percent responsive on all devices, from your smartphone to your tablet to your desktop. Now you have the ability to connect at ease and stay up on the latest trends anytime, anywhere. Why not take advantage of this NRPA member benefit today?
Join the conversation on NRPA Connect today!
Hayley MacDonell is NRPA’s Membership Programs Manager.