Why should my agency apply for the National Gold Medal Award? The answer is in the “why.” The National Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management is really not an award. It provides a set of standards that differentiates organizations that employ a system-wide approach to their delivery of services from those organizations that operate by “checking off” a list of documents or that operate from a historical framework. In essence the National Gold Medal Award program is a movement for organizations to challenge their status quo and to approach their service delivery through innovation, collaboration and creativity.

This award recognizes agencies that have imbedded their vision and mission into the fabric of their organization’s operation and strive to accomplish things that exceed their customers’ expectations. It identifies organizations that focus on customer loyalty and that approach service delivery with consistency and an established trust with their customers and staff. For examples of these agencies, one need only look at the 2016 Grand Award Winners:

• Class I – Cleveland Metroparks, Ohio
• Class II – Town of Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources, North Carolina
• Class III – City of Allen Parks and Recreation Department, Texas
• Class IV – Willamalane Park and Recreation District, Oregon
• Class V – Frankfort Square Park District, Illinois
• Armed Forces – U.S. Coast Guard Base Kodiak Morale, Well-Being and Recreation Division, Alaska

So, “why” should your agency apply? Review the quick reference list below and if just one of these points resonates with you and your organization, consider becoming part of the National Gold Medal movement.

Challenging the status quo:
Does your agency strive to be better today than yesterday? Applying for a Gold Medal will challenge you to look at its plans, partners, strategic initiatives and results.

Creating an agency that does it differently:
Does your agency recognize and employ multiple solutions to issues and challenges?

Using influence to impact change:
Does your agency focus on using its fiscal and personnel resources to address broad community needs?

Celebrating innovation and collaboration:
Does your agency deploy methods to connect with a variety of disciplines and partners to create a new way of approaching service?

Inspiring and leading people:
Does your agency “live” its values, and does it embrace creating an enthusiastic, energetic and forward-thinking work environment?

Translating the vision into action:
Does your agency continually assess its vision and how well it is moving toward it?

Demonstrating that the intangible can become tangible:
Does your agency tie programs, services and resources to the achievement of its vision?

Designing for the future with a focus on the “why”:
Does your agency stay true to its “why”?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, your agency is poised to become part of a movement of change.

The National Gold Medal Award program is a partnership between the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The Gold Medal program is managed by a committee that consists of AAPRA members under the direction of the AAPRA executive director. There are a total of five Gold Medal Award judges who serve for four years and represent the diversity of the profession. The Gold Medal Award program is sponsored by Musco Lighting.

Mary Beth Thaman is Director of the City of Kettering, Ohio Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department and Gold Medal Committee Chair.

Important 2017 Gold Medal Dates
• January 3: Application available
• February 9: NRPA Gold Medal web chat
• March 12: Application and required materials due by midnight Eastern Time
• April 28: Notification to finalists and all applicants
• June 5: Finalists post short video on agency website

Learn more about the National Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.