V E R M O N T

The Vermont Recreation and Parks Association is committed to providing education, resources, and networking opportunities to professionals, support groups, and interested citizens to assist them in their role as advocates for parks and recreation services.

VRPA prides itself on providing personalized service. We strive to continuously update services based on the needs of our members. Member benefits include:

Continuing Education
VRPA provides quality continuing education sessions for its membership at reduced rates. The annual Governor's Conference on Recreation offers approximately twenty educational sessions and an educational program is offered in conjunction with each VRPA quarterly meeting. VRPA also hosts national training programs such as the National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) and Certified Pool Operator (CPO) on a rotating basis.

Leadership Opportunities
Members have numerous opportunities to develop leadership abilities and build credentials in the parks, recreation, and leisure services field. Leadership positions are available at the state, regional and national levels.

Meeting Notices
Notices of VRPA quarterly and annual meetings, programs, workshops and conferences, and a variety of regional and national recreation conferences and workshops, are sent to VRPA members, via email.

Membership Directory
The annual VRPA Membership Directory provides members a link to fellow professionals, agencies and commercial suppliers. The membership directory is available to all members in electronic format and hard-copy upon request, and is available exclusively to members only. The Membership Directory is updated regularly and will be kept current on the VRPA website "members-only" section.

Networking
Membership in VRPA provides many invaluable opportunities throughout the year to meet other people who work and volunteer in parks and recreation. Develop a network of contacts eager to share ideas and experiences.

Newsletter
The VRPA newsletter, The Advocate, is published three times a year in January, June and September. In addition to VRPA news, the newsletter contains news from several related groups such as the VT Youth Conservation Corp, the VT Trails and Greenways Council, the VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, and the National Recreation and Park Association. Submission of materials by members is always welcome. The newsletter is emailed to all members and several recent issues will be available on the VRPA website.

Recreation Check-In
The weekly Recreation Check-In provides up-to-date information about current issues in parks and recreation and in the VRPA, funding and grant resources, training opportunities and job vacancies within the New England region, and an opportunity to ask questions of others on the email list and get help with your problems. The Check-In is emailed every Friday and is available exclusively to members only.

Registration Discounts
VRPA members receive registration discounts to all VRPA sponsored programs, meetings, and activities.

Resource Materials
VRPA members enjoy access to awards, technical assistance, and many other resources.

In addition to all our other member benefits, commercial members receive discounted rates on exhibit space and sponsorships at our annual state conference, the Vermont Governor's Conference on Recreation. Our commercial members appreciate having access to an electronic copy of our membership directory.

Annual Conference
Our commercial members have an opportunity to become a conference sponsor, at a reduced rate. The Exhibit Hall is an important part of our annual state recreation conference and commercial members receive discounted rates on exhibit space.

Newsletter
The VRPA newsletter, The Advocate, is published three times each year in January, June, and September. The newsletter is emailed to every VRPA member and several recent issues are available on the VRPA website.

Our VRPA Commercial Members receive discounted pricing for advertising in our newsletter.
Download attachments:     2010_Advocate_Advertising_Form.doc

Commercial members are invited to submit a few sentences (60 words or less) with recent company news for the "Business Briefs" column in each newsletter. Also, a list of all our current commercial members is printed in the newsletter once each year.

Professional Contacts
With the membership directory and opportunity for personal contact at our meetings and annual conference, develop a network of professional contacts actively involved in the delivery of recreation services throughout Vermont.

Website Links
Links from the VRPA website directly to commercial businesses is limited exclusively to our commercial members.