The Year in Review

Fiscal year 2008-09 was highlighted by growth, active involvement, financial stability, and member education.

Organizational Structure: While the number of Board Members remained at 21 individuals, there was a shift in leadership and the formation of numerous committees to encourage greater Board involvement and personal investment. To reinforce committee participation and involvement, a Board workshop, concentrating on committee management, was conducted in spring, 2009.

Leadership—The Board election in March, 2009 at the annual meeting, placed Bill Thomas as President; Ron Ruef, President Elect; Marco Galeazzi, Vice President; and, Harry Saltzgaver, Treasurer.  Myrtle Braxton-Ellington continued as Secretary and Kathleen Wagner became Past President.  Fred Brooks, Board Member from Chico, CA, was added to the Executive Committee. Board Members Ed Escamilla, Russ Desch and John Vertido left the Board leaving three vacancies, one of which was filled by Past President Ernie Rodrigues.

Affiliates—The Board reinforced their commitment to maintain strong partnership and the best of relationships with affiliate organizations.  The new Executive Director Job Description requires the individual to attend NRPA and CPRS conferences and workshops to represent the Association.  Additionally, new affiliations with the California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism (CRRPT) and the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD) were formed.

Finances: The Board adopted a budget approaching $47,000 based on income from membership dues, donations, gifts, and income interest.  Standardized accounting checks and balances were incorporated into the budget/accounting process to assure financial security and protection of Association assets.  Investment accounts were isolated to protect against use for operating purposes and monthly operating fund, income, and expenditure reports were distributed monthly to select officers and to the Board at their regular meetings.  In March, the accounts were reviewed by the Finance Committee and determined to be accurate and applicable.

Awards, scholars and banquet: Our Association’s president in ’94 and ’95, Neil Freeman, represented the Association on the California Foundation for Parks and Recreation Scholarship Committee that is responsible for the selection of our Association’s scholarship nominees.  The 2008-09 scholars were selected and recognized at the annual Awards Banquet held at the Santa Clara Marriott Hotel in March, 2009. The three scholarships this year are Andrea Denova CAPRCBM Scholarship) and Kimberly Kirtz (Kaufman Family Scholarship) of California State University, Dominguez Hills, and Ondrej Macejko of Chico State (Richard and Betty Teague Scholarship).  

The “Outstanding Commissioner/Board Member Award” was presented to Harry Saltzgaver.  Craig Bronzan, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Brentwood, received the 2009 “Outstanding Professional Award” and James McCarthy, Park Project Coordinator for the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, received the “Outstanding Special Award.”  Anne Woodell, former CAPRCBM business manager, was recognized with an “Honorary Award” for her devoted services to the organization.

Jennifer Sparacino, Santa Clara’s City Manager, was presented the “CAPRCBM President’s Award,” acknowledging her “life-time” dedication to the parks and recreation movement.

A New Direction is set: The direction given to the new Executive Director was to enhance communication between the Board, Association membership, and affiliates; expand educational opportunities; enhance organizational management; and, establish awareness of the Association amongst peers.  Summarily, the Association saw change in “staff,” new leadership, new Board members, and new programs.  The organization has become more visible as partner to affiliates and is offering more intensive services to its membership.  The Association is financially stable in an unstable economy because of conservative fund management with good checks and balances. Activity level of the Board committees has increased and five education sessions were planned and presented throughout California.