Thank you to our Title Sponsor

Registration is OPEN for the 2021 Virtual MRPA Fall Workshop

ON-LINE REGISTRATION: www.merpa.org
Workshop Fee for MRPA members:  $30
Workshop Fee for Non MRPA members:  $40
Student Fee:  $10
Check & Credit Cards Only—no PO’s

Monday, October 18, 2021 – 10:00-11:00 am

Power in Aging – Changing the Conversation About Growing Old in Maine (.1CEU)

Most Mainers are living longer, healthier lives than ever before, but our personal and systemic narratives about aging really haven’t kept pace.  From the language we use, to the way we plan our communities and our community activities, we need to be more intentional about seeing our own age-bias and understanding our changing and often dynamic needs as we grow older.  This presentation will look at the changing face of aging in Maine, discuss how ageism impacts us, our health, and our economy, and explore the benefits of building an age-positive Maine.  We’ll spend some time focused on specific ways community recreation and parks programs can engage older community members to create age-positive programming and parks.
Presenters:       Jess Mauer, Executive Director of the Maine Council on Aging  and Don   Harden, Founding Board Member of the Maine Council on Aging

Monday, October 18, 2021 – 11:10 am – 12:10 pm

Communicating a Culture of Values and Inspiration (.1CEU)

How can leaders create a culture that not only provides good guidance but also inspires excellence? How can they build trust with their employees as well as with their partners and stakeholders? The answer lies in how clearly they communicate their values and their vision. When leaders excel at communication, they are able to inspire confidence, trust and genuine passion for their goals. This talk offers practical advice on how to communicate values and build relationships in a way that will be heard and understood by all. Seth will demonstrate the ways that emotions, body language and story can create resonance (or dissonance, if done poorly), and how to communicate more than just what you want people to do but also why they would want to do it.
Presenter: Seth Rigoletti, Executive Leadership Coach

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 – 10:00 – 11:00 am

Creating Pride of Place – A Collaborative Effort (.1CEU)

Explore how Parks and Recreation and Economic Development work together to create vibrant communities that people want to invest, work, learn and live in.
Presenter:  Mitch Stone, Director Office of Community Development, Orono, Maine

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 – 11:10 am – 12:10 pm

Marketing Your Programs (.1CEU)

Paul will review strategies and various ways to build local and regional support for Parks and Recreation agencies while looking at ways to connect and develop relationships with school, town/city, and advisory boards, taxpayers, and businesses. Strategies shared in this session will set Parks and Recreation professionals up to develop marketing plans and public relations for their agencies next big project or programs.
Presenter: Paul Hogan, Athletic Director/Head Men’s Basketball Coach/Sports Management Professor at NHTI in Concord, N.H.

Friday, October 22, 2021 – 10:00 – 11:00 am

Teen Programming Roundtable

This session will be facilitated and will generate discussion about teen programming.  Dive into the challenges and joys of working with teens in your community.  Leave the session with ideas and enthusiasm to create awesome opportunities for this age group in your community.
Facilitators:  Alyssa Clark, Recreation Coordinator Lewiston Recreation and Leslie Hayes, Recreation Programmer Bridgton Recreation

Friday, October 22, 2021 – 11:10 am – 12:10 pm

Working WITH Youth Sport Parents (.1CEU)

Have you ever thought, “youth sports would be great if we could just get rid of the parents.”  If so – you aren’t alone. However, sport parents are an integral part of the sport experience, and can have as much – or more – influence on a child’s sport enjoyment than the coach. This session will help you learn why parents are so important to a functional youth sports program, and how sport leaders can more effectively partner with parents to create motivating and fun programs.
Presenter:  Bob Barcelona, Ph.D.  Department of Recreation Management & Policy, UNH