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

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

The Tipping Point 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”

Social Capital Social Capital December 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.

Social Capital Social Capital Bowling 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%

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

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

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

Schedule 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!

Discussion Questions 1.What ways can we (as individuals, agencies) expand / communicate this essential service? 2.How can we best work together in supporting this state-wide project? 3.Who should be involved? 4.What resources are available or are needed?

Thanks…Spread the Word! Feedback to: –Suzanne Mathis –Steve Doniger –Chuck Lehman