Top 20 Qualities of an Effective Park and Recreation Agency by Ruby Newell-Legner

By Ruby Newell-Legner, CSP

Ruby has worked with the best agencies in the country. After presenting over 1000 programs for parks and recreation departments throughout North America, she has identified key characteristics of successful agencies. This list identifies those quality issues surrounding "Best Practices" for agency management.

These Qualities are highlights from Ruby's "Top 20 Qualities for an Effective Park and Recreation Agency" Training Program. To learn more about Ruby's programs navigate to http://www.rubyspeaks.com/programdesc.asp.

1. Board members are "on the same team" as the agency and personal agendas are not apparent.

2. Resources are shared with other partners in the community.

3. Leaders aren't distinguishable in a meeting because flow of information is coming from all participants.

4. Citizen and employee input is encouraged and accepted in most situations. After recommendations are requested and prepared, implement some of our ideas. (Don't make us do all this work and then not change!)

5. Changes are shared as they progress so that all levels of staff can get acquainted with the process gradually.

6. Master plans are created with long-term goals in mind.

7. Decisions are made with the input and support of the people affected by those decisions.

8. Career development is taken seriously when budgeting for training and learning opportunities.

9. Employees are viewed as an asset as opposed to an expense.

10. Services provided by the agency compliment (not compete) with what is already being provided in the community.

11. Programs and services are developed with participants input.

12. Contractors for projects are chosen with consideration of their aligned vision of the parks and recreation profession as well as their credentials and references.

13. Staff and citizen leaders have the mind set that we are always preparing for a bond election.

14. The performance evaluation process encourages growth and development.

15. Training opportunities are offered as sustainable learning for the future, not as a result of failure or inadequacy.

16. Time is set aside to reflect on successes and lessons learned.

17. Human Resource functions represent and support both employees and management perspectives.

18. Staff is frequently promoted from within the organization.

19. An Employee Assistance Program is offered and provided confidentially.

20. Employee leaders are encouraged to be involved with a mastermind group or association section to share their ideas and failures and learn from others.

To schedule training or to see when Ruby will be presenting in your area, visit www.RubySpeaks.comor call Ruby's office in Littleton, Colorado at 303-933-9291

Ruby Newell-Legner, Certified Speaking Professional, is considered the pre-eminent Customer Satisfaction Expert in the Leisure Industry today. For over two decades Ruby has been helping organizations make exceptional customer service a way of life.