Fall 2010 Newsletter Extended: District 8
Live It, Protect It, Explore It!
View all Newsletters
CPRS DISTRICT 8 CONFERENCE: ESTABLISHING THE PROFESSIONAL CULTURE EARLY FOR STUDENTS
By Annie Wagner (RPTA '14), Staff Writer
The 2010 District 8 Conference was held on November 5 in Santa Maria, CA at the Santa Maria Veteran’s Memorial Center. Dr. Greenwood’s RPTA 101 class had the opportunity to attend this district conference during fall quarter. In efforts to enhance networking opportunities and opportunities for volunteering and/or interning, Dr. Greenwood encouraged his students to attend. Greenwood states, “It’s important for RPTA majors to start connecting with professionals in the field early on, so by the time they are ready to graduate, they’re already linked to career opportunities and a network of professionals.” Greenwood went on to explain that all RPTA faculty value the importance of students becoming involved with their major. Faculty members encourage students by recruiting them to attend conferences and other RPTA-related activities (hence the "occasional" email blasts).
Cal Poly is dedicated to “learn by doing” and this type of co-curricular activity outside the classroom is therefore highly valued and encouraged. As an attendee of the CPRS District 8 conference, I thought the conference was extremely helpful as well as interesting. The conference started out with an exceptional keynote speaker, Marissa Edwards. Edwards is the “Director of Fun” at the new Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. Her lively and educational presentation on how to “Wow!” hotel guests by coordinating exceptional recreation activities, providing sincere hospitality and putting on a friendly face taught all attendees a little something about working in costumer service and being a director of programs. In addition to the keynote speaker, there were a number of educational sessions that each attendee was able to attend. Some of the educational sessions included: strategies to enhance your career, surviving in local government today, leveraging events and partnerships, and strategies for recruiting part-time support staff. Topped with a Santa Maria style tri-tip BBQ lunch, auction, and special falconry presentation, the District 8 Conference was a success!
Look out for more opportunities to get involved with RPTA and CPRS. Most of the faculty will be accompanying a large group of students to the 2011 CPRS annual conference in Sacramento March 8-11, 2011. For more information about CPRS, visit http://www.cprs.org
Make a Donation
Make a donation to the Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Administration Department!