What's New

AB 628 (Meal and Rest Periods: Lifeguards) Is Vetoed by Governor
Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 628. Below is his veto message. Thank you to everyone who sent letters of opposition to the Governor.
To the Members of the California State Assembly:
I am returning Assembly Bill 628 without my signature. This bill is similar to a measure I vetoed last year because it failed to correct the broader inadequacies of California’s meal period law and because it interfered with local governments’ collective bargaining authority.
As the concerns raised in my prior veto message have not been addressed, I am returning this bill without my signature.
Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger

New CPRS Educational Awards of Excellence Available to Districts, Sections, Task Forces and Committees
This award is designed to recognize outstanding educational programs offered by Districts, Sections, Task Forces and/or Committees. Educational offerings throughout the state have a long tradition of excellence. CPRS now has a prestigious award to recognize the effort put forth by the Districts, Sections, Task Forces and Committees in educating CPRS members. Please take a few minutes to review the information with your board or committee, and prepare to submit your entry by December 1, 2008. Awardees will be honored at the CPRS Conference in Santa Clara in March 2009. Click here for the entry information, criteria, and deadline.

Early Bird Registration Is Now Open
Register now for the 2009 California & Pacific Southwest Recreation & Park Training Conference, March 3-6, 2009, in Santa Clara, California. Take advantage of the lowest rate - $329 for CPRS members. Don't procrastinate, the rates will go up after September 12, 2008. Click here to download a registration form.

National Institute on Recreation Inclusion (NIRI)
September 4-7, 2008
Hilton Eugene & Conference Center
Eugene, Oregon
Make plans to attend the nation's premier event highlighting the importance of inclusive recreation for
all people. For details visit: www.nrpa.org/niri

Signs of the Times AND Implications/Actions for Parks and Recreation
The June issue of the trendSCAN looks at a variety trends and their implications to parks and recreation. Click here for the trendSCAN.

2008 Stewardship Council Catalyst Round 2 & Impact Round 2 now available!
The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council invites Northern and Central California non-profit organizations to apply for grants focused on getting youth outside. As part of its Youth Investment Program, the Stewardship Council will grant between $2 million and $2.5 million in funding to parks and programs that connect underserved youth (ages 13 to 18) to the outdoors. If you are interested in learning more about the grants, follow this link:
http://www.stewardshipcouncil.org/youth_investment/rfps_and_applications.php?v=0#cat

"Staycations" Are An Opportunity For Parks & Recreation Agencies
How are "staycations" an opportunity for us?  What do Arizona and Nevada have that California doesn't? Check out eight of the latest trends in Health and Well-being. Click here for trendSCAN.

Park & Recreation Videos Available On YouTube
As introduced at the Pacific Southwest Training Conference, CPRS has recently prepared videos which describe various ways in which parks and recreation are essential to communities. The first of these videos follows. We ask that you cut and paste the message (in red below) and email it to your email lists.  By doing so, you can help fellow park and recreation professionals spread the word about different ways in which parks and recreation are essential to communities.  The kinds of people who might be interested in the message include: friends, co-workers, public officials (city council members, county supervisors, state legislators, congressional representatives), local media and park users.

This message from the California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS) provides interesting insight into how park and recreation programs can give hope and direction to inner-city youth.  Please pass it on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC02m7D4Cvc

CPRS Legislative Committee Meeting
The next Conference Call will be September 8, 2008, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Dial-in Number: 712/432-3900. Participant Access Code is: 3766298. If you prefer, you may also continue to gather at the 11 or so call sites that we have set up as well.
Click here to download the Agenda
Click here to download the Legislative Watch List
Click here to download the Legislative Committee Calendar
Click here to download the Legislative Committee Meeting Schedule.

Don't see something that was on the CPRS home page before. Click here to view past Whats New items.