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Parks and Rec Business Magazine: Time For PLay

Heather Davis
Heather Davis

The document provides tips for parks and recreation professionals to encourage team members and effectively run summer programs. It emphasizes leading by example to make a positive impression on participants. It also stresses the importance of attitude and being enthusiastic to create a better environment. The document concludes that recreation professionals have the most direct impact and are the most important part of any organization.

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36 PRB < MAY 2011 < www.parksandrecbusiness.com parks + playgrounds > BY TIMOTHY J. PAGANO AND HEATHER K. DAVIS Encourage the team to P.L.A.Y. this summer S ummer provides countless opportunities to plan out- door activities and exciting excursions to new places as well as the ability to infuse creativity, leadership and enthusiasm into scheduling. Industry leaders also can deliver outstanding programs and perform at an exceptional level by encouraging team members to keep P.L.A.Y. at the forefront of their minds. AND EVALUATION Job Performance
www.parksandrecbusiness.com > MAY 2011 > PRB 37 PERCEPTION is an important component of programs involv- ing youth participants. Whether its a pre-kindergarten class, summer day camp, youth sport team or teen program, it is important to remember participants and parents dont measure quality by what you say, but rather what you do. Since the newest and inexperienced team members are often on the front lines, and make the most significant impressions on participants and their parents, attempt to incorporate the do as I do mentality, and lead by example. Although everything might run smoothly 99.5 percent of the time, it is always that one incident that can be the most damaging to a programs reputa- tion. Whether it is a negative word-of- mouth campaign or a vocal participant who has had a bad experience, it may take weeksif not yearsto repair the dam- age. Perception is reality for both partici- pants and parents, so it is imperative to choose your reality wisely. LEADERSHIP is and always has been the cornerstone of top-notch summer programs. A universal truth within the recreation field is that one does not have to have a title to be a leader. Since entry-level positions often have the most meaningful and immediate impact on customers, leaders must consider multiple levels in the department hierarchy to effectively deliver programs. To do this, it is important to recog- nize that vision and direction are essential ingredients in teamwork. Many people think of a leader as a captain or general, someone telling people what to do and how to do it. Instead, think of yourself as P L ENTER PRB MAY #280 OR TEXT PRBMAY*280 TO 41411 ENTER PRB MAY #281 OR TEXT PRBMAY*281 TO 41411
38 PRB < MAY 2011 < www.parksandrecbusiness.com Job Performance And Evaluation a navigator, who must detail the various routes in attaining the teams goal. Understand that everyone has a different leadership style in approaching various situations and personalities more efficiently and effectively. Adjusting your style to match or complement the style of the individuals you are working with will allow the flow of information to be sent and received successfully. The goals of every youth program include providing strong leadership and acting as role models to participants; this is accomplished by detailing clear expectations and defining boundaries all while engaging and challenging participants. ATTITUDE is the one indefin- able action that makes or breaks a program. When arriving for work every day, you will set the tone. Being positive and enthusiastic affects everyone, from participants to team members. Conversely, being negative and apathetic spreads like a disease and can sabotage a day, week or entire summer. Attitude also has the ability to create a greater level of ownership among participants and team members. Imagine trying to get older and way- too-cool-for-this-activity sixth graders to be a part of an arts-and-crafts project. By delivering the I know you guys dont want to do this, but line, it increases the chances they wont want to, and will let you know it. On the other hand, starting with Have I got a great oppor- tunity for you guys to take charge and lead this project might provide a chance to change their attitude about their role, and create a more positive atmosphere. Since attitude can change the overall environment of a program, ask yourself, What kind of program do I want to work in and be a part of? YOU are the best resource of any organization. Only you can make the key decisions to help A Y ENTER PRB MAY #282 OR TEXT PRBMAY*282 TO 41411
a program thrive or become stagnant. This starts with arriving to work on time, being courteous, and delivering exceptional customer service; being enthusiastic and engaged; operating in an honest and trustworthy manner; and showing true professionalism on a daily basis. Remember that you can be a leader from wherever you are on the organizational flow chart. You will be the reason whether a participant decides to come back tomorrow, next week or next year. You are the reason organiza- tions and programs can continue to provide youth the opportunity to explore, discover, and enjoy what com- munities have to offer. You are who they remember many years from now a caring adult who made a huge impact in their lives. So, when the checklist for this years summer programs comes out, remember the most important thing you can do is to get out there and P.L.A.Y.! PRB www.parksandrecbusiness.com > MAY 2011 > PRB 39 ENTER PRB MAY #283 OR TEXT PRBMAY*283 TO 41411 Timothy J. Pagano is a community services specialist for the city of Brea and is on the board of directors for the Southern California Teen Coalition. He can be reached via e-mail at tim@socalteencoaliton.org. Heather K. Davis is a community-services supervisor for the city of Rancho Cucamonga, and is on the board of directors for the Southern California Teen Coalition. She can be reached via e-mail at heather@socalteencoalition.org. To comment on this article, log on to www.parksandrecbusiness.com

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Parks and Rec Business Magazine: Time For PLay

  • 1. 36 PRB < MAY 2011 < www.parksandrecbusiness.com parks + playgrounds > BY TIMOTHY J. PAGANO AND HEATHER K. DAVIS Encourage the team to P.L.A.Y. this summer S ummer provides countless opportunities to plan out- door activities and exciting excursions to new places as well as the ability to infuse creativity, leadership and enthusiasm into scheduling. Industry leaders also can deliver outstanding programs and perform at an exceptional level by encouraging team members to keep P.L.A.Y. at the forefront of their minds. AND EVALUATION Job Performance
  • 2. www.parksandrecbusiness.com > MAY 2011 > PRB 37 PERCEPTION is an important component of programs involv- ing youth participants. Whether its a pre-kindergarten class, summer day camp, youth sport team or teen program, it is important to remember participants and parents dont measure quality by what you say, but rather what you do. Since the newest and inexperienced team members are often on the front lines, and make the most significant impressions on participants and their parents, attempt to incorporate the do as I do mentality, and lead by example. Although everything might run smoothly 99.5 percent of the time, it is always that one incident that can be the most damaging to a programs reputa- tion. Whether it is a negative word-of- mouth campaign or a vocal participant who has had a bad experience, it may take weeksif not yearsto repair the dam- age. Perception is reality for both partici- pants and parents, so it is imperative to choose your reality wisely. LEADERSHIP is and always has been the cornerstone of top-notch summer programs. A universal truth within the recreation field is that one does not have to have a title to be a leader. Since entry-level positions often have the most meaningful and immediate impact on customers, leaders must consider multiple levels in the department hierarchy to effectively deliver programs. To do this, it is important to recog- nize that vision and direction are essential ingredients in teamwork. Many people think of a leader as a captain or general, someone telling people what to do and how to do it. Instead, think of yourself as P L ENTER PRB MAY #280 OR TEXT PRBMAY*280 TO 41411 ENTER PRB MAY #281 OR TEXT PRBMAY*281 TO 41411
  • 3. 38 PRB < MAY 2011 < www.parksandrecbusiness.com Job Performance And Evaluation a navigator, who must detail the various routes in attaining the teams goal. Understand that everyone has a different leadership style in approaching various situations and personalities more efficiently and effectively. Adjusting your style to match or complement the style of the individuals you are working with will allow the flow of information to be sent and received successfully. The goals of every youth program include providing strong leadership and acting as role models to participants; this is accomplished by detailing clear expectations and defining boundaries all while engaging and challenging participants. ATTITUDE is the one indefin- able action that makes or breaks a program. When arriving for work every day, you will set the tone. Being positive and enthusiastic affects everyone, from participants to team members. Conversely, being negative and apathetic spreads like a disease and can sabotage a day, week or entire summer. Attitude also has the ability to create a greater level of ownership among participants and team members. Imagine trying to get older and way- too-cool-for-this-activity sixth graders to be a part of an arts-and-crafts project. By delivering the I know you guys dont want to do this, but line, it increases the chances they wont want to, and will let you know it. On the other hand, starting with Have I got a great oppor- tunity for you guys to take charge and lead this project might provide a chance to change their attitude about their role, and create a more positive atmosphere. Since attitude can change the overall environment of a program, ask yourself, What kind of program do I want to work in and be a part of? YOU are the best resource of any organization. Only you can make the key decisions to help A Y ENTER PRB MAY #282 OR TEXT PRBMAY*282 TO 41411
  • 4. a program thrive or become stagnant. This starts with arriving to work on time, being courteous, and delivering exceptional customer service; being enthusiastic and engaged; operating in an honest and trustworthy manner; and showing true professionalism on a daily basis. Remember that you can be a leader from wherever you are on the organizational flow chart. You will be the reason whether a participant decides to come back tomorrow, next week or next year. You are the reason organiza- tions and programs can continue to provide youth the opportunity to explore, discover, and enjoy what com- munities have to offer. You are who they remember many years from now a caring adult who made a huge impact in their lives. So, when the checklist for this years summer programs comes out, remember the most important thing you can do is to get out there and P.L.A.Y.! PRB www.parksandrecbusiness.com > MAY 2011 > PRB 39 ENTER PRB MAY #283 OR TEXT PRBMAY*283 TO 41411 Timothy J. Pagano is a community services specialist for the city of Brea and is on the board of directors for the Southern California Teen Coalition. He can be reached via e-mail at tim@socalteencoaliton.org. Heather K. Davis is a community-services supervisor for the city of Rancho Cucamonga, and is on the board of directors for the Southern California Teen Coalition. She can be reached via e-mail at heather@socalteencoalition.org. To comment on this article, log on to www.parksandrecbusiness.com