An Essential Service

1. An Essential Service Indiana Parks and Recreation Association’s Statewide Initiative Proposal Presented by: Steve Doniger and Chuck Lehman

2. IPRA’s Statewide Initiative • Park & Recreation…An Essential Service • How can we (individuals, agencies, state association) raise the public awareness in recognizing park and recreation as an essential community service? • One-Year Statewide Initiative Proposal • Involving all communities and park agencies • Communication / Support network

3. The Tipping Point(Malcolm Gladwell) • “How little things can make a big difference” • The Tipping Point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips and spreads like wildfire! • Types of Persons • Connectors – those who know lots of people…social glue • Mavens – those who accumulate knowledge…data banks • Salesmen – those with skills to persuade…persuaders • Other points • Stickiness Factor – how to measure the message impact • Power of Context – deals with how conditions and circumstances of the times and places in which they occur forms “context”

4. Social CapitalDecember 2003 Park & Recreation Magazine (page 20-27) • How parks and recreation help to build community • What is Social Capital: • The central premise of social capital is that social networks have value. Social capital refers to the collective value of all “social networks” [who people know] and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other [“norms of reciprocity”]. • How does Social Capital Work: • The term social capital emphasizes not just warm and cuddly feelings, but a wide variety of quite specific benefits that flow from the trust, reciprocity, information, and cooperation associated with social networks. Social capital creates value for the people who are connected and – at least sometimes – for bystanders as well.

5. Social CapitalBowling Alone – Robert Putnam • Putnam warns of our plummeted stock of social capital • From nearly 500,000 interviews over the last quarter century to show that we… • sign fewer petitions • belong to fewer organizations that meet • know our neighbors less • meet with friends less frequently • even socialize with our families less often • Describes how changes in work, family structure, age, suburban life, television, computers, women's roles and other factors have contributed to this decline. • Declining Social Capital: Trends over the last 25 years • 58% Attending Club Meetings • 33% Family Dinners • 45% Having Friends over • Surprising Facts: • Joining one group cuts in half your odds of dying next year • Ten minutes of commuting reduces social capital by 10%

6. Benefits of Initiative • State-wide common project • Applies to all agencies, communities • Learn from each other • Strengthen communication networks • Web, articles, partners, etc. • Efforts acknowledged through Awards

7. Organization • Coordinate District Activities • Communication Connections • Internet networking • Website Pages • Publications and Articles • Speakers network • New Awards Categories • Large to small agencies categories • Advertise and promote awards

8. Next Steps of Action • Present the Initiative program to all Districts • Development of Flyer / Brochure / Logo • Organize – Committees structure • Seek sponsorships & collaborating partners • Establish communication network • Write articles for PROFILE on the program • Develop new awards categories • Expand on Speakers/Presentations Network

9. January 2004 Annual Conference February Presentation of program to Northern District Executive Committee Approval March Central/Southern Districts presentation Organize committees Press releases / articles April Web and ListServ networks Award Categories announced May – September Districts Agendas and Reporting State-wide communication October – November Award Applications due Speakers/Themes for Annual Conference December Awards Selection Year-end Reporting January 2005 2005 Annual Conference Celebrate Successes! Schedule

10. Discussion Questions • What ways can we (as individuals, agencies) expand / communicate this essential service? • How can we best work together in supporting this state-wide project? • Who should be involved? • What resources are available or are needed?

11. Thanks…Spread the Word! • Feedback to: • Suzanne Mathis (ipraexdir@aol.com) • Steve Doniger (sdoniger@netnitco.net) • Chuck Lehman (chuck@lehmanandlehman.com)