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recreation. Each group ie chartered by the Poresmuuih
<br />Parksand Recrea[ion Commission for a period �f nvo
<br />years. At that time, the charter is reviewzd and either
<br />extended or cevoked. Groups must prove that they
<br />have provided the services stated in their goals; show
<br />that theit group is "represen[ative oE the community
<br />served;' have met at least eight times anmially; and
<br />have a bonded treasuret and accurate financial
<br />rxords. This system maintains the necessary "chxks
<br />andbalances" to ensure resporeibility and control of
<br />delegated authority.
<br />A primeconcem when initiating the program was
<br />the ability of luw-inmme neighborhoods to raise the
<br />[unds necssary to operate the program. This fear
<br />proved tobe wfounded as se�eral of the most
<br />discreaaed neighborhood.56etame leaders in
<br />organizing pragrarst5 a�d raising funds.
<br />Commwuty leaden discovered numerous fi+nding
<br />mechaniams already in place to service low-inmme
<br />mmm•mitiea. RSP, Neighborhood Youth Corg,
<br />Redevebpment and Housing Police Commmity
<br />Relations, and community development programs all
<br />contribuhd ro overcome the deFiciency of financr,. By
<br />workinglogetherthcoughthefonunacuordinated
<br />leisureservites p:ogram �vas o(fered to the residents.
<br />Fish Erys, ghost walks, free dasses, concessiuns,
<br />dances, carnivals, and rummage sales are buc a te�v of
<br />the methods vsed to raise funds. This }�rar the forums
<br />will raise approximately hvice as much as the
<br />department's to[al bu�et for recceation supplies nvo
<br />years ago—before the system started.
<br />Spend time educating public
<br />The effectiveniss of any citizen involeement
<br />progran Lrpz:"' upo� a kno;.�:zdy-xaS:z pcSlia To
<br />achieve that, thedepartment last year offered more
<br />than 2,000 hours of volunteer training on such subjects
<br />as Cund nising, volunteer recriutment, new program
<br />ideas, conducting meetings, and understanding capital
<br />improvements.
<br />Much of this troining occurs at the annuai Mayor's
<br />ConEerence on ParkS and Recreatioa This event lasts
<br />a(ull day each spring, and in<ludes training sessions,
<br />enhibits and dispiays, an1 an awards banquet. The
<br />banquet, attended by some 700 persons, recognizes [op
<br />volunteers nominated by the Eorums and ocher civic
<br />groups. The mayor presents the Oucstanding
<br />Volunteer Award. Ocher a�.�ar3s arc gicen to the
<br />outstandingcommunitygruup, youth rolunteer,
<br />senior �rolunteer, and to top �vlunterrs in sports,
<br />beautification, and community srrvim. Presenters
<br />have induded the lieutenant gorernor, professiunrl
<br />sports figur�, the prrsidents of tne Chambrr of
<br />Commerceand theCuuncil of Gardrn Uuus, as well
<br />as thecity minnger and other prominrnt nffi:ials-.
<br />The tity also challrnFev cun!munity gmups to mise
<br />70 Pql<KS & RF.CREA f10N/N�E le;`�
<br />funds for new facilicies, eyuioment, and a[hletic teams
<br />by pcociding one-time matching funds. TFi> facili[ies
<br />and equipment ma[ch is r3de available through the
<br />Leisure Szrvice Incencive Fund, which ofk�s50-50
<br />funding to any comm!:niEy grM�p rvishing to purchase
<br />playgromd equipmertt, pa: k benches, scoreboards,
<br />game tables, or to effeci o!nee "prrmanenP'recreation
<br />improvements. ln s:�-itl�� nce r hvo y�ears,grants have
<br />been approvri for' 1 proj<cts. S`„xty mmmunity
<br />organiu[iom Irsva bzea cospoa;ors.
<br />"When the neighborhood wnttts more than
<br />the avnilable tnx moneg zuill buy, the
<br />residents should be alfoeozd to make the
<br />critical choice—zuhether tosettle for
<br />someEhingless or pitc,4 in and help."
<br />Resporeibilities can be shared
<br />Virtuaily ecrry stecial ecent oFerated by the
<br />depactment is <oponwred by one or more wtside
<br />urganizacions. This assurc� that the "par[nzrship for
<br />people" idea extends ro r.t��-widr activiti�sas weil as
<br />commwity-basedpr erams.AnexampleoEthiw
<br />shared resFareibility i� thrdepar[ment'ssummer
<br />concert serics. When primarily sponsored by the
<br />departmen4 the Sunday mncer6 nn the waterfron[
<br />averoged only 350 per5oni per event. A nearby �
<br />restaurant rvr, contracted to provide shrimp and
<br />other pirnic concessions under a tent at the mncert
<br />si[e. Rename�i "Seafood and S}•mphuny;' the eeenta
<br />murethantripledlastyzar"sattendance. �
<br />Mother examote of tota! mmmwity inarolvement
<br />in the planning and stagingo: department activities is
<br />the Mnual Portsmou[h Invitational Toumamenq
<br />matchir.g top collegiateseniurbasketball piayers. Co-
<br />s�+nx�rrd Fy� the Chambrr uf Cummerce, che \CP.A,
<br />.nd. my�riadotother�vmmunityarganizatiuns,the
<br />tournament has fercurecl mure than �l0piayers whu
<br />went on to play re�,�u!arly in the \'9A. Because [he
<br />community is w inrolvcd ir. thr tournament's
<br />opzration, ticket prices havebeen heid to 5250, and
<br />the tournament not only is �IE•sustaining,but alio
<br />help;spnnsnr thed�partment'cSpxia101ympi6
<br />pn�;rum. As in mmt erent>, the department's
<br />mn;ribution lics in pro��iding profe:sional aazis[ance
<br />a nd stafi time, facilitic�a, and paid acticity luadership.
<br />Co��tirmrd nn ry��r:i7
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