St. Louis was splendid: successful Congress highlights your revitalized association

Parks & Recreation, Dec, 2003 by David Lose

The 2003 National Congress & Expo was a tremendous success! We hosted a record number of exhibitors (605), and more than 8,600 attendees came to beautiful St. Louis for the event. Past NRPA President Bob Hall served as the local liaison, and he and his team did a tremendous job. The conference was very well planned, and was held in the historic downtown area, which added greatly to everyone's enjoyment. The NRPA staff deserves congratulations for a job well done, too; although there were a few minor glitches, the conference as a whole was wonderfully well-organized, particularly considering that many of our staff members are new. Attendees had the opportunity to become acquainted with those new staff members, and we're already looking forward to the 2004 National Congress & Expo in Reno-Tahoe, Nev., which is scheduled for Oct. 12-16. In fact, 279 companies are already committed to exhibiting with us then, so planning is well underway. Mark your calendar now!

I'm also pleased to report that more than $50,000 has been raised for this year's Annual Fund. Dalton Mann was the chair of the Annual Fund committee responsible for raising that impressive sum. (It's $,30,000 more than last year's total!) Unfortunately, Dalton is retiring as a member of the Board of Trustees this year. His efforts with the Annual Fund are a fitting conclusion to his years of service on the board, and we thank him for his continuing leadership and commitment.

About 220 members contributed to the Annual Fund. This year's money is slated to improve technology capabilities at NRPA's headquarters. Tim success of the Annual Fund has some bidden benefits, to--for example, foundations and other grant sources look favorably upon organizations whose members actively support such fund-raising efforts. So contributing to the Annual Fund not only demonstrates your commitment to NRPA, it also helps us raise money from outside sources. Many thanks to all who participated this year.

As you know; the new governance plan calls for NRPA's Executive Board to be expanded from nine to 11 members, and that has been accomplished with the recent election. I'd like to welcome new members Steve Neu and Bob Farnsworth, along with former member Dianne Curry, who rejoins us. Other members are Lori Daniel, incoming president; Jim Donahue, president; Gail Elder White; Don Jessen, vice president; Jonathan Korfhage, past president; Ron Lehman, treasurer; Penny Randel, secretary; and myself.

Financially, NRPA is now on stronger ground. A recent audit shows our operating budget is in the black, thanks to the efforts of many. We still have much work to do in this area; for example, we're now working on shoring up the NRPA pension plan. But it's nothing we can't overcome, and progress is being made.

Finally, on a personal note, many of you who attended the Congress in St. Louis know that my first grandchild was born to my daughter Shelley and her husband Ola on Oct. 24. Unfortunately, little Linnea Marie had some respiratory problems that sent her to the neonatal intensive care unit for a week-long stay. Betti and I are grateful for all your thoughts and good wishes as she recovered, and are thrilled to report that the baby is now completely healthy, happy and home with her parents, and all is well.

David Lose, FASLA NRPA Chair