Management & Mission Q&A
Q: We have a mission and a vision statement
for our department. They are both
very lengthy. No one really pays any
attention to them. Truthfully, most
employees don’t know what they are
good for. What good are they?
A: A mission statement should describe
very simply and directly what your organization
does every day.
A vision statement
should tell staff and customers what
you are striving to achieve in the future.
Again, in very simple and understandable
terms.
If employees don’t understand
these foundational elements of their work
then how will they know why they do
what they do?
If they don’t know the why
and the what of their work they really
can’t be very effective and efficient in
their efforts as an organization.
Once
everyone in your organization (department,
division, center, etc.) clearly
understands why and what they do as it
relates to your mission and vision you’ll
be amazed at the results.
—Bill Potter
Q: How do you recruit citizens to be volunteer
leaders in local government?
A: A method that has been successful
for us is our version of a Citizens Academy.
The Community Associations Academy
selects (through application) 25 residents
who are current or aspiring community
leaders.
Together, this cohort participates
in an eight-week educational program,
designed to instruct citizens on how we
work with and as local government.
Our
program has shown that once our residents
have obtained a better understanding
as to how we operate, these ambassadors
are excited and motivated to participate
throughout our community.
The
Academy meets one night a week for
eight weeks for two and a half hours,
with each session covering a specific
organizational department or service
provider in our community.
The Academy
concludes with a tour of the community
and a graduation ceremony where our
elected officials pronounce our graduating
class.
—Audra Thomas, Management Analyst,
Community Associations of The
Woodlands (Texas), Parks and Recreation
Q: Should parks and recreation management
participate in emergency preparedness
planning?
A: Absolutely. Even more so today, those
who assume responsibility for others coming
into a particular venue better be ready
to assist should an emergency situation
occur. Not because of liability purposes
(though that is a great reason), but because
it is the right thing to do.
Many threats
have been identified. Unfortunately, if you
ask majority of Americans what they can
do to protect themselves from chemical,
biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive
(CBRNE) threats, most don’t have
clue.
For example, most can’t distinguish
between how a chemical attack would
look versus a biological attack. The signs
are easy to see and even more important
can provide facts for responding that can
save lives.
Parks and recreation managers
should consider preparing for CBRNE
threats. Preparing includes increasing
awareness and knowledge levels among
staff members.
This does not only to make
them better at their jobs, but to prepare
them to protect their loved ones at home.
The Center for Public Health Preparedness
and Research at Emory University has
developed a simple, easy-to-use three-step
approach to help organizations prepare for
emergency situations.
The Plan, Train, and
Exercise approach is just that. Experts
work to assess your facilities, plan the
response, train the staff, and exercise to
ensure a quick and appropriate response
to today’s threats.
Let your work environment
be the channel for individuals to
educate themselves about CBRNE and
other threats. Be a leader in protecting
your staff and users coming to parks and
recreational venues.
—Sean Kaufman is the Director of
Programs at the Center for Public Health
Preparedness and Research in the Rollins
School of Public Health at Emory University,
Partner and Chief Public Health Officer for
Go2Gear Inc., and the Area Chair for the
Health and Sciences Department at the
University of Phoenix, Atlanta Campus.
Sean has several years of experience in the
fields of health education, crisis and risk
communication and emergency preparedness
and will give emergency preparation
presentations at Parks & Rec Business LIVE!
at Deer Creek State Park, near Columbus,
Ohio, Sept. 19-20.
Q: What new items are needed for an
emergency response kit?
A: Several. Unfortunately, there are several
threats we face today that may require
different types of equipment. A flashlight,
first-aid kits and radios have always been
included in emergency response kits.
However, today’s emergency kits should
include all of the above and:
1. Burn cream (extra)
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