Let's Talk Parks Podcast: Stories of Purpose-Driven Parks and Recreation Professionals

Jason Elissalde has more than 20 years experience in both training and leadership roles. First in the public sector with companies like Enterprise Rent-A-Car, T-Mobile, and Target. 7 years ago Jason took a position at the Gold Medal Winning Willamalane Park and Recreation District in Springfield Oregon, and fell in love with the industry as a whole. After discovering his own purpose, Jason has been asked to speak to groups across the country about the importance of "Celebrating your Why"  and developing an emotional connection to the work that we do.  Speaking of connecting, Go connect with Jason on LInkedIn. This guy clearly is going places, He's got incredible insight..and I hear he may be open to the right opportunity... https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-elissalde-cprp-323556124/

In this episode, you will learn three very important thought-provoking takeaways to consider:

1. Always put mission above task

2. Separate the "I can's" from the "I cant's"

3. Don't need to worry about being right, worry about doing the right thing"...

If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com.

In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.

Today we thought it would be fun to take you behind-the-scenes for a candid conversation with the co-hosts of the show.

In this episode, you'll hear:

How Marissa got involved into the show

The biggest misconceptions about us and this podcast

Some thoughts around what it looks like for P&R to start a movement

Have a great week, stay safe, and get outdoors!

If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com.

In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.

Does anyone else wish that they had a Budgeting 101 to prepare you for time in parks and recreation?  Don't get me wrong, I had accounting and statistics, but they were general. P&R is a little different, and it takes years of experience to finally "get it." Even after asking my supervisors multiple times to involve me in budget discussions, I admittedly still struggle with some of the budgeting terms.

That's why I thought it was so important to take us back to the basics with an episode about data this week, and who better to talk to than the data guy himself, Matt Hickey. In this episode, you'll learn about:

- Why parks and recreation agencies must be more accountable to themselves and to their communities

- The biggest mistakes professionals make when understanding the true costs  (and pricing) of service/program

- How partnerships can help offset the risks and costs of programs

- How COVID-19 impacts the need to be more accountable and data-driven

If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com.

In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.

We've all taken personality tests, but have you seen them being used in the workplace? In this quick field report, Marissa talks about how one of her favorite, most effective teams she's ever been on was managed by a leader who used a personality test to understand her team.

If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com.

In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.

When you think about the future of parks and recreation, what do you see? Thinking past the pandemic, what outcomes can we look forward to? How can things shift for you and your agency?

In case you need to hear it, you have permission to dream about the future of our field. You can choose to be optimistic and see the bright side. There are opportunities here for us to show up differently.

The other piece of good news? You don't have to do it alone. You can do it with those in your community and on your team. Or heck, you can do it across the country.... and you can certainly do it today on the podcast.

Two of my favorite takeaways from JJ during this episode:

Our job is to create experiences for our community.. You can do this by having an entrepreneurs mindset and by building relationships with those in your community.

Your ideas are great, but the strategies of the team are even greater. Think beyond yourself and put your ego aside to serve the greater good.

J.J. Lillibridge is a Parks and Recreation professional that is skilled in program design and event leadership. He presents a high level of energy and an infectious attitude toward quality of life enhancement. J.J. is a Recreation Supervisor for Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department in Georgetown, Texas. J.J. is a Certified Parks and Recreation professional and is actively involved with TRAPS and NRPA. J.J.'s words of advice - "Don't forget to dream".

If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com.

In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.

This week's episode is with Marissa Moravec and Greg Stopka.  Greg is the Strategy and Innovation Manager for the Park District of Oak Park in Illinois.  This conversation is about how local government is changing from merely providing services to solving real problems in communities through creative problem solving. 

In this episode, you will learn:

1. How real-time data helps make real-time decisions

2. How the Park District uses innovation to engage every employee in improving their daily work

3. How to engage the community with data

If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com.

In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.

Studies show that children retain more information and form a deeper connection to Nature when it is presented to them near their home as opposed to part of a field trip. In this episode, we sit down Attiyya Atkins of Broward Count Parks and Rec to discuss the latent potential of urban parks and how conducting environmental education programs right in children’s backyard can have a future impact on not just conservation but climate change and environmental justice. Connect with Attiyya on LinkedIn! 

In this episode you’ll learn:

How even the most blighted park can be a source of pride for a community through environmental initiatives and programs that allow people to take pride in where they live.

The definition of Eco-Cognizant.

How you can take steps to start a similar program in your community.

If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com.

In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.

Now is great time to connect and collaborate with other agencies, partners, and especially your state association. State associations provide immense value to their members, and today we look at how you can utilize their resources, networks, and knowledge to navigate today's uncertain circumstances.

You can read the full version of the podcast on the blog. 

If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com.

In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.

Sponsorships: off for this episode

This time in history looks different for many of us. For some, it may be time to slow down, pause, and reflect on where you've been and where you want to go. For others, it may be the right time to step into a new idea, a new reality - one that matches with your dreams and career vision. For those of us who are embarking on a new phase, you may be faced with bringing up a new idea or innovation to your team or your boss. You may be afraid of hearing "We've tried that before."

The truth is, during this pandemic, and amidst a great unlearning of social  nothing has been done before that doesn't deserve a second chance.

You can read the full version of the podcast in this email, but if you'd prefer to listen to the audio instead, you can do that here: https://letstalkparks.com/podcast/

In this article, Anthony Iracki dives into this topic and discusses why now is the time to rethink the way it's always been done.

Happy Parks and Recreation Month! July is a time to reflect, celebrate, and share our passion for parks and recreation! This week's episode features Amanda D'Agostino, a student and young professional who has taken a non-traditional path to her current role after finding the life-changing power of recreation herself.

Some of the takeaways you'll learn:

how your past skills and experience can further your journey

it doesn't matter when you start, it matters that you do

you are in control of your path and you are your biggest advocate

If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com.

In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.