CAPRA Volunteers: Together We Grow Parks and Recreation — Episode 128

Open Space Radio: Parks and Recreation Trends

NRPA's Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), is the only national accreditation of park and recreation agencies and is a valuable measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. Achieving CAPRA accreditation is the best way to demonstrate that your agency and your staff provide your community with the highest level of service.

But, there is one thing that this program cannot do without – it’s dedicated volunteers. CAPRA volunteers have the opportunity to review, visit and mentor agencies and solidify personal recognition of the defined standards of excellence that accredited park and recreation agencies are held accountable to.

CAPRA volunteers also become part of a broader network of professionals who understand the benefits of accreditation for park and recreation agencies and are trained to bring back these standards to their own agencies.

As we look ahead to NRPA’s CAPRA volunteer acquisition campaign coming up in March, I’m excited to welcome two individuals to the show today to discuss their experience being a CAPRA volunteer. Joining me is Rod Tarullo, the director of parks, recreation and golf for City of Golden, Colorado, and Christi Giles-Reed, the community program coordinator for City of Dallas, Texas.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn why adding “CAPRA volunteer” to your resume may be your next move, as well as how serving as a volunteer can strengthen your skills and experience as a park and recreation professional. You’ll also learn:

• How being CAPRA volunteers has impacted Rod and Christi professionally and personally
• How serving as a volunteer will benefit your own agency and agencies across the county
• Tips on how to become a CAPRA volunteer
• The benefits of accreditation for park and recreation agencies
• Rod and Christi’s favorite stories from their time serving as CAPRA volunteers, and much more!

Related Links:

• Apply to Become a CAPRA Volunteer
• Blog Post: Is Being a CAPRA Review Team Member Right for Me?
• Blog Post: What Does It Mean To Be a CAPRA Volunteer?
• Parks & Recreation magazine: CAPRA Volunteering: Preparing the Next Generation of Accreditation Leaders
• Learn more about CAPRA
• CAPRA FAQs