The Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association (WPRA)
is a non-profit professional association consisting
of over 2,000 park, recreation, therapeutic
recreation, and leisure service professionals in the
State of Wisconsin. The WPRA membership is committed
to the philosophy that quality parks, recreation,
and leisure services should be equally available to
all citizens, regardless of age, sex, national or
native origin, income level, religion, or
disability, to enhance the quality and potential of
their mental and physical well-being as well as that
of their environment. We are deeply concerned that
parks, recreational facilities, and programs must be
maintained at a level consistent with society needs.
In order to accomplish this, we strongly encourage
non-partisan legislative support and protection at
the federal, state, and local levels.
The WPRA, and our growing legislative network, feel
it is important that legislators on the federal and
state levels, plus state, local, and county
officials, the membership of related organizations,
and the general public, be aware of the WPRA's
position on the following issues which affect the
profession we serve in as well as the communities in
which we live.
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and
Spa Safety Act
The Virginia
Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act is named
for the Granddaughter of former Secretary of
State James Baker. In 2002, at the age of
seven, Virginia Graeme Baker died in a tragic
spa accident after the powerful suction of a
drain entrapped her underwater. This bill was
passed to ensure that every pool and spa is
safe for all ages to enjoy. The Virginia
Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act calls for
mandatory compliance in all pools and spas, to
prevent suction entrapment. This new
act requires that remedies be installed by
December 20, 2008.
To
help you understand the Act we have uploaded
documents from The Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) and The Association of Pool
& Spa Professionals (APSP) along with a copy
of the Act in its entirety. We recommend you
review these helpful documents below:
CPSC - Staff
Interpretation
Click here to download H.R. 1721 -
House of Representatives Bill
Click here
to download APSP - Summary
of
Bill Click
here to download APSP -
Frequently Asked QuestionsClick hereto download Title XIV -
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety ActClick
here to download
** Please note that WPRA is making its members aware of this new
Federal Law and does not endorse any products or services
provided on other websites or links.
NRPA Scores Huge Victory Today with Passage of
Amendments to No Child Left Inside Act;
Landmark Legislation Approved by
House of Representatives in 293 to 109 Vote.
The House of Representatives approved two important
amendments today in passing the No Child Left Inside
Act that will directly benefit park and recreation
agencies once the bill is passed into law by both
chambers of Congress. The amendments, one offered
by Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) to include municipalities
as eligible entities for grants, and one offered by
Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), to require eligible grant
entities to outline how they will partner with
local park and recreation agencies to carry out the
intent of the legislation, soundly place parks and
recreation into the heart of this landmark bill.
The NCLI Act is intended to provide new resources
for states to provide environmental education
opportunities to students, provide funds for teacher
training, and encourage teachers and schools get
kids outdoors with hands-on field experiences to
enhance learning and develop environmental
literacy.
In the colloquy among the Democratic and Republican
members of Congress on the two amendments, Rep.
Courtney and Rep. Welch each gave ringing
endorsements of the value of local and state park
and recreation agencies being essential partners in
fulfilling the nationwide goal of providing better
environmental education opportunities to students of
all ages.
NRPA members, state affiliates, and allies of NRPA
are to be truly commended for the outstanding
advocacy effort on this bill. Just a few weeks ago,
the prospect of including parks and recreation
centrally in the bill language was all but dead. To
have these amendments adopted and to have had such a
spirited discussion on the floor of the House today
about the importance of parks and recreation to the
education of our nation’s youth was a stunning
achievement.
This bill will not be taken up by the Senate during
this session of Congress. Next year, during the
111th Congress, we anticipate seeing movement on
this bill with the reauthorization of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act, where NCLI will likely
be reworked somewhat. Nonetheless, this was a very
important step forward in placing parks and
recreation front and center in the national effort
to provide safe, healthy opportunities to kids to
learn about the environment and spend time outdoors,
and due to NRPA advocacy, a significant legislative
achievement for parks and recreation nationally.
Make Sure Your Agency has a Legislative Key Contact
When, and perhaps even before legislators return to
the Capitol, You may need to remind lawmakers that
the voice of Wisconsin parks and recreation is
strong and unified behind such issues as providing
open space in any capital budget and keeping proper
staffing levels at WI DNR.
To make the most impressive impact
on legislators, we must show that our message has
critical mass. Lawmakers often need to hear from as
many agencies as possible. WPRA will coordinate
such messages through the new Legislative Key
Contact program.
Bill Lecker, Chair of the WPRA
Legislative Committee would like to urge each
agency’s board to appoint one commissioner or board
member to serve as the agency’s legislative key
contact. From time to time the association will
email all key contacts, urging them to take action
(and encourage others in their community to take
action) on a specific issue.
Please put it on your next meeting
agenda to appoint a Legislative Key Contact who will
advocate for responsible public policies to benefit
park and recreation agencies.
Only YOU can ensure your
agency has a voice in Madison.
Legislative Key Contact Job Description
The Legislative Key Contact should
be an elected official who is interested in the
legislative process and in keeping abreast of
legislation and its impact on parks and recreation
in Wisconsin. No legislative experience is
necessary, just a willingness to learn and
understand the legislative process. The key contact
must be willing and able to communicate through
email.
Responsibilities of the Legislative Key Contact
·Have agency formally appoint you as
the agency’s legislative liaison for one year.
·Provide your contact information to
WPRA.
·Accept and read legislative updates
and alerts from WPRA.
·Work with the agency director to
establish positive relationships with local
legislators.
·Contact legislators and inform them of
important park and recreation issues.
·Communicate with and update WPRA about
legislative discussions and positions of local
legislators that could be beneficial to our efforts
in Madison.
How to Designate Your Agency’s Legislative Key
Contact
Once your agency has decided which commissioner or
trustee will serve as its Legislative Key Contact,
send Steve Thompson the contact information at
sthompson@wpraweb.org.
Legislative Key Contact Program
Only you can ensure that parks and recreation has a
voice in Madison.
Become your agency's legislative key contact and
advocate for responsible public policies to benefit
park and recreation agencies in Wisconsin.
Job Description
The Legislative Key Contact should be an elected
official who is interested in the legislative
process and in keeping abreast of legislation and
its impact on parks and recreation in Wisconsin. No
legislative experience is necessary, just a
willingness to learn and understand the legislative
process.
The Key Contact must be willing and able to
communicate through e-mail.
