Community

TRPA has a robust community of members willing to help each other.  As a professional member, you can join the TRPA private Facebook page and ask questions and get answers from your peers. All members have access to the online membership directory and can look up other members to connect with them. 

• TRPA Talks Private Facebook Group (professional members only, please request to join)
• TRPA Online Membership Directory (members only, please log in)

Branches and Sections 

TRPA has distinct subgroups within our membership for networking and socializing.  Connect with those who do what you do.

• Branches:
  • Administration: If you primarily lead staff, manage policies/procedures, manage budgets or coordinate large-scale department planning, you may identify with this branch
  • Facilities and Parks: If you primarily maintain a physical property or carry out daily facility operations, you may identify with this branch
  • Programming and Recreation: If you primarily work with the public planning, coordinating and facilitating any type of program, you may identify with this branch 
• Interest Sections:
  • Ethnic Minority:  Members shall have an interest in Ethnic Minorities in the recreation and parks movement in Tennessee including those in municipal, private, voluntary, institutional, religious, educational, commercial, travel, tourism, and industrial organizations        
  • Municipal/County: Municipal or county park directors, community center employees, state and federal planners, athletic directors, and maintenance employees
  • Young Professionals: Members shall be students or young in their parks and recreation career and have an interest in networking or any professional member interested in promoting and assisting the young parks and recreation professional

TRPA is run by members for members with the help of a small staff.  TRPA members make up the Board and committees that make things happen.  When becoming a member, be sure to let us know which of the following committees interest you.

• Awards: Make decisions as to who should be the recipients of the Association's awards
• Charter & By-laws: Study and analyze the Charter and By-laws and make recommendations reflecting current and future needs to the Executive Board
• Conference Host: Work with staff to create the conference program and make sure all events run smoothly
• Conference Program: Provide educational sessions at the annual conference that will enrich and enhance the professional life of the delegate.  Working with speakers and the staff to make sure all needs are met
• Membership: Interpret the objectives of the association to encourage qualified persons in the recreation and parks field to apply for membership in the TRPA.
• Nominations & Election: Prepare a slate of officers as outlined in the By-laws and policies and help run the elections.
• Professional Development: Advise and recommend the development of new opportunities for training of professionals statewide, and review and approving continuing education units in accord with the TRPA policy and procedures.
• Public Policy: Monitor legislation relating to the association at the local, state and national levels, and shall recommend legislative policies and procedures
• Publication/Publicity: Responsible for the publication and distribution of the Association's publications and shall see that activities and events relevant to the Association and parks and recreation are given coverage through these avenues
• Ways and Means: Prepare and monitor the annual budget for the Association based on projected income and expenditures for the current year, review budget amendment requests, and recommend revenue-producing projects

Information

Information and resources are huge benefits of TRPA.  From attending education programs at discounted rates to the magazine, newsletter, Facebook page and Twitter handle, you can follow what is happening in parks and recreation and the nation of parks and recreation interest through TRPA.

• Spring District Workshops are included in membership.  These include continuing education credits for those who need them for recertification
• Other Education programs (subject to annual review) with discounted registration for members
  • Athletics/Maintenance School
  • Aquatics Summit
  • Programmers School
  • Ethnic Minority Interest Section 
  • Leadership Forum
  • Young Professional Interest Section
  • Annual Conference and Exhibition in the Fall
• National Education we host
  • Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam
  • Aquatic Facility Operators Class & Exam
  • Lifeguard Instructor Training
  • Certified Youth Sports Administrator Training

Advocacy

• Tennessee Recreation & Parks Educational Foundation (TRPEF)
• Tennessee Municipal League (TML)
• Tennessee Conservation Voters (TCV)
• Tennessee Afterschool Network (TAN)
• Tennessee Health Promotion Network
• Tennessee Healthy Person Healthy Park
• Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation/Recreation Resources (TDEC)
• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
• BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing
• American Red Cross
• National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS)
• PlayCore National Demonstration Sites Project
• Braves Country Baseball & Softball