02/25/82 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• 3 111/0 IT HAS BEEN INFERRED THAT MRPA HAS NOT CONSIDERED THE SPORT PARTICIPANT. WHAT ABOUT THAT CHARGE? Very frankly, if we as professionals in the leisure services business do not understand, or consider and/or provide the "participant" with an avenue to be heard or represented, we better think seriously of our professional commitment, Obviously, we the MRPA are not insensitive to recreational sports participants and other lay leadership throughout Minnesota. Continued efforts will be made to provide more efficient and effective voice of all participants, league directors, umpires, etc. within the overall framework of the recreational sports delivery system. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT REVENUES GENERATED FROM RECREATIONAL SPORTS ARE DIVERTED TO OTHER NON-RECREATIONAL SPORTS AREAS. WHAT ABOUT THAT CHARGE? Yes, it is true that all revenues collected from athletics are not designated entirely for ahtletics. Some of the revenues are also used to support advancement and management of the entire MRPA. Certainly, I belive this professional support is appropriate in furthering the professional growth of our members and awareness of leisure service opportunities throughout Minnesota. One other observation is respect to funding: please consider the countless hours contributed on a voluntary basis by so many MRPA members in advancing our recreational sports program to the status it has achieved to date. MRPA as a professional organization contributed to that membership involvement and, as I see it, some revenues from athletics is appropriate to support the entire membership, IS MRPA ADEQUATELY STAFFED TO HANDLE A PROFESSIONALLY ADMINISTERED RECREATIONAL SPORTS 11110 PROGRAM? Very definitely, yes. You are aware of a past disruption in MRPA' s staff's athletic organization, Certainly, I regret the circumstances surrounding this disruption, and, accordingly, some of our membership services were also disrupted and often delayed. I apologize for any inconveniences and uncertainties. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to introduce Mr, Tom Cook as MRPA's Assistant Executive Director-Athletic Coordinator. Tom hails from Cedar Rapids , Iowabrings s , and br ngs with him an outstanding record in working not only in softball but other sports as well , He is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in Park and Recreation Administration. Additionally, Ms. Joan Hallock is employed to assist our staff during the heavy months of sport activities, She holds a master' s degree in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts and has had extensive experience in college intramural programs at Northeastern University, Amherst, Boston University and most recently at Macalester College. WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE MRPA' S ATHLETIC SECTION AND THE ENTIRE MRPA WITH RESPECT TO DELIVERING RECREATIONAL SPORTS PROGRAMS? Fair question. I am both excited and optimistic. Very frankly, I welcome a close scrutiny from MRPA members and challenge from other organizations that may threaten MRPA's ability to deliver recreational sports programs. A sound and professionally administered recreational sports delivery system that takes into consideration all levels of competition, all age groups and all abilities to participate will prevail . That has been 111/0 MRPA's strength in the past and I am convinced will be our strength in the years to come.