RECREATION & PARK ASSOCIATION

WRPA Awards and Recognition

FELLOW AWARD

The most prestigious of the WRPA awards, the Fellow award recognizes a parks and recreation professional who has served as a leader, professor, supervisor, director, administrator, or a combination of the same in the field of parks and/or recreation and has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the field of Parks & Recreation.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 8 years of full-time experience in the parks and recreation field
• Minimum five years of cumulative WRPA membership
• Evidence of leadership includes at least one of the following:
  • Elected officer in WRPA
  • Service as a board member for an agency or organization involved in the field
  • Service on a citizen's committee to improve the quality and/or quantity of recreational services
• Additional qualifications may include distinctive leadership in promotion and development of parks/recreation activities, meritorious service to the profession, fine moral character, and other involvement or service to the field

This award may be made annually to not more than 1 member of the Association.

OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL

This award recognizes an WRPA member who has made an outstanding contribution in the profession.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of full-time experience in the parks and recreation field
• Three years of cumulative WRPA membership
• Contributions must include 2 or more of the following:
  • Displayed an interest in furthering their professional background by attending and/or participating in workshops, conferences, and seminars
  • Displayed a desire to further professional growth through continued education and/or obtaining further certifications
  • Displayed a desire to further their professional growth through active involvement in field related work and/or committees and sections

This award may be made annually to not more than 2 individuals – one parks/outdoor professional and one recreation professional.

NEW PROFESSIONAL

This award recognizes emerging talent in the parks and recreation field with demonstrated potential for leadership.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 2 years of full-time experience in the parks and recreation field, but no more than 5 years
• Must have been a member of WRPA for at least one year
• Demonstrates potential to attain a position of leadership through 2 or more of the following:
  • Participation in professional organizations or WRPA section
  • Contributes to advancing the field through creativity in designing or managing programs
  • Displays interest in furthering professional growth through continued education and/or obtaining further certifications

This award may be made annually to not more than 1 individual.

CITATION - INDIVIDUAL

This award recognizes an individual not employed in the field of parks and recreation, who has made an outstanding contribution to parks, recreation, or conservation at the local, state, regional, or national level in one or more of the following ways:

• Preparation, sponsorship, or active support of legislation favorable to the advancement of the field or profession
• Active support and promotion of the field or profession through acquisition, development, and/or maintenance of areas, or the organization of activities and services
• Development of new or innovative facilities or services
• Providing training or education of professional park, recreation, and conservation personnel

This award may be made annually to not more than 1 individual, with approval of the President.

CITATION - ORGANIZATION

This award recognizes an organization not employed in the field of parks and recreation, who has made an outstanding contribution to parks, recreation, or conservation at the local, state, regional, or national level in one or more of the following ways:

• Preparation, sponsorship, or active support of legislation favorable to the advancement of the field or profession
• Active support and promotion of the field or profession through acquisition, development, and/or maintenance of areas, or the organization of activities and services
• Development of new or innovative facilities or services
• Training or education of professional park, recreation, and conservation personnel

This award may be made annually to not more than 1 organization. One award will be presented to the organization with two banquet tickets provided.

HALL OF FAME AWARD

The highest honor bestowed by WRPA, recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the parks and recreation field in Wyoming.

Requirements:

• Must satisfy at least two of the following three criteria:
  • Fifty (50) years old
  • Twenty (20) years of parks and recreation service in Wyoming
  • Retirement from Parks and Recreation
• Must be nominated by a WRPA member
• Judged on successful record of accomplishment in the parks and recreation field in Wyoming
• Active participation in WRPA is a high consideration

This award may be made annually to not more than 1 current member of the Association.

PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS

Awards selected by the current President of WRPA for exceptional service to the benefit of WRPA.

This award may be made annually to not more than 2 individuals and may be awarded outside of the awards banquet.

General Membership Requirement: All recipients of WRPA awards must be current dues-paying members in good standing at the time of their nomination, unless otherwise noted. Membership dues may not be applied retroactively to meet membership qualifications.

For scholarship information and nomination procedures, please contact the WRPA Awards Committee.

• Training or education of professional park, recreation, and conservation personnel