Citizen-Board member branch: newly elected president welcomes members - NRPA in Action

Parks & Recreation, Jan, 2004

The following is an excerpt from Myrtle Braxton-Ellington, the newly elected Citizen-Board Member Branch president.

"It is important that all Citizen-Board members become advocates for Parks and Recreation. With everyone's active participation, the importance of Recreation, Parks and Open Space to the well being of all individuals will become an accepted fact. Citizen-Board members are in the best position to carry the Benefits of Recreation message to their communities and their elected officials. The C-BM Branch has produced a "Handbook for Action, Citizen Advocates for Parks and Recreation" which is a manual to assist Citizen Volunteers become better Advocates. The handbook is free. Contact Sharon Mannion, Citizen-Branch, National Recreation and Park Association, 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148, email: smannion@nrpa.org.

C-BM members are encouraged to attend the Mid Year Legislative meeting in Washington, DC in February 2004. The day on the hill and the visits with your elected representatives is both enjoyable and informative. If you cannot attend the Mid Year meeting, contact your elected officials when they are at home. Get to know your elected representatives.

The most important task facing the Branch for 2004 is the setting of realistic, achievable goals for the Branch. These goals will be presented to the National Forum of NRPA at the Mid Year meeting. Thanks in advance to all C-BM members for your cooperation and active participation in 2004. Working together the Branch will have an outstanding year."