TIP SHEETS LIBRARY
REMARKABLE SOLUTIONS FOR GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES, MUNICIPALITIES & SPECIAL DISTRICTS
WELCOME
In finding this page, you have gained entry into the full Library of Remarkable Tip Sheets. This page is not open to everyone, as all others are encouraged to join the weekly email list to receive one Tip Sheet at a time. We DO ASK that you not share these Tip Sheets as your own.
So, now that you are here, please look through the listings and enjoy the content. If you are looking for a Speaker for your Conference Training Event, each of these topics makes for a great session. We also have Keynotes available as well.
ABOUT THESE TIP SHEETS
These REMARKABLE MUNICIPAL SOLUTIONS are designed specifically for Government Agencies, Municipalities, & Special Districts so they can be amazing at creating Thriving Communities.
Each of these topics would make for a remarkable In-Person Staff Trainings. Also, they would serve as fun and engaging Educational Sessions at your annual Conference. Additionally, we can assist with your needs for:
Graphic Design, Interim Leadership, Agency Check-Ups (i.e. Organizational Assessments), Staff Development & Mentoring, Board Training & Strategic Planning.
This page is continually growing; New Tip Sheets are added as they are created.
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RECREATION ROAD MAP
As Park & Recreation Professionals, we know that Recreation is vital FOR our Communities, but how do we go about getting Recreation actually TO our Communities? This is where the Recreation Road Map© comes into play, highlighting the “Path for our Profession”. It involves 5 Action Steps that give a Big Picture View of how we deliver the Essential Services of Recreation to our community.
The Road Map is the anchor for the dozens of topics we explore in the session, “GET REC’D: Getting Recreation to our Communities”. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/get-recd
DEFENDING PARKS & REC AS ESSENTIAL
THE “ESSENTIAL” PROBLEM = Often in these agencies, the P&R functions find themselves battling for Funding, when other Agency Functions (i.e. Police & Fire Services) declare that the P&R functions are “not really” Essential. This “Essential Problem” then escalates when an Agency is facing Budget Cuts. It vital for P&R staff to make their “Essential-ness” known, long before the budgets start getting cut.
For further insights, See: Community Engagement Tip Sheet & Revenue Generation Tip Sheet.
HISTORY PARKS & REC IN U.S.
It is important for us to appreciate our History as a Profession. Join us on this tour of the Parks and Recreation Profession in the US; as we will learn about each Recreation Era through the years, & see the progression from sheep fields to our current "parks and recreation" systems.
This Tip Sheet draws from the full session, “GET REC’D: Getting Recreation to our Communities”. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/get-recd
DISCOVER YOUR CORE SERVICES
Some agencies try to be EVERYTHING (all possible programs & services) to EVERYBODY, but often find that they have spread themselves too thin. They are doing MORE than they can fiscally afford to do. Other agencies may be programming within their means, but they have yet to determine what their Core Services are. As we remove those Services that don’t fit with our Agency Mission & Target Markets, we free-up those resources to make them available for additional Core Services.
This is one of many topics explored in the session, “GET REC’D: Getting Recreation to our Communities”. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/get-recd
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
For any Agency, Municipality or Special District that is seeking to be awesome at Community Engagement, this Tip Sheet gives you the place to start. These tips are focused on those smaller agencies, serving less than 35k population. We break-down effort for Community Engagement into a Three-Fold Strategy (each with its own sub-components): (A) Build a Thriving Message, (B) Expand Community Awareness, & (C) Multiply Your Community Engagement. Note: If needed, we are available to help you on this journey (Solutions 1, 2, 3, 4). Plus, when you enlist our services, we will provide coaching and training for the other 5 solutions.
Call for a Budget Friendly Quote.
BUSTING SILOS IN PARK & REC
On Farms, Silos are used to store grain, and keep it dry. So, Silos are good…
But in an organization, Silos are a big problem, & something to be avoided. Silos thrive when communication lacks.
This Tip Sheet shows you how to identify Silos & more importantly, what to do about it. Follow these tips, so you too can be an amazing “Silo-Buster”. If you would like have some help getting started, or even if you need someone to come alongside and assist you with the process, we are available to come work with your team.
PLAYGROUND SAFETY SOLUTIONS
This Tip Sheet is for those agencies that are making Playground Safety a top priority.
Typically, this information is useful for smaller agencies, who do not have a large maintenance crew or budget. We understand that the safety of our children is the utmost importance when providing a playground.
We hope these tips prove helpful as you strive towards creating playground environments that are fun and safe for all. Note: If needed, we can assist you in creating your initial agency-wide park inventory.
INSTILLING HEALTHY HABITS
Healthy Habits are vital for a thriving community. We want to help our communities to: (A) know what Healthy Habits are & (B) utilize Healthy Habits as a part of their daily lives. This Tip Sheet offers three Campaign ideas for engaging your community, categorized into three “Levels of Involvement”.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/healthy-habits
CONTRACT INSTRUCTOR SOLUTIONS
This Tip Sheet is for those agencies seeking to establish a remarkable Contract Instructor Program. Truly, an efficacious effort for Contract Instructors impacts ALL: Program Areas, Ages, & Cultures. It can reduce General Fund Subsidies, while greatly increasing Revenue Generation. The key points here are in the blue boxes: Independent Status, Worth of Service, & the Handbook.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/contract-instructors
FACILITY RENTAL SOLUTIONS
We must be excellent at Facility Rental Management so our Agency can gain these excellent benefits: (1) Increased Rental Revenue, (2) Friendlier reservation process for potential renters, & (3) Appropriate and Defensible rental fees. This Tip Sheet explores the best practice methods for organizing the rental process: We will identify how to create a system of “flexible” info pages, along with a “one-stop-shop” rental application; We will investigate how to create a defensible rental Fee Structure based on square footage “price-points”; & We will examine dozens of policy considerations.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/facility-rentals
PARTNERING WITH
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Once we begin implementing “Equal-Value Exchange” Partnerships, we gain the benefits that come with Partnering, such as: New Programs, New Facilities, New Volunteers, & Increased Community Safety. Now, we can also stop giving away free facility-use.
This Tip Sheet comes from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar:
https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/partnering
TRACKING PERFORMANCE MEASURES
As Professionals, we strive to show our Agency as “Essential” to our community. Tracking Performance Measures lets us “Bring The Receipts”, in order to:
KNOW the CHARACTER of your Agency.
SHOW the MEASURABLE IMPACTS your Agency has for your community, as an “Essential Service”.
GROW the CONFIDENCE of elected officials.
SOW the MESSAGE so your stakeholders can brag on the benefits your agency gives the community.
As the saying goes: Measure What You Treasure!
This Tip Sheet comes from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar:
https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/performance-measures
RECREATION PROGRAM PLANNING WORKSHEET
The Recreation Program Planning Worksheet is a powerful document highlighting the performance of a single specific recreation program; affording all recreation programmers a place to show what they Projected alongside what Actually Happened. It also shows: Variance, % Increase, Staffing FTE's, & Measurable Objectives. As professionals, we must start building our Dept-Wide Budget by looking at each individual program and then adding them all together. The Recreation Program Planning Worksheet gives you the tool needed to get started.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar:
https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/performance-measures
REVENUE GENERATION
IN PARK & RECREATION
This Tip Sheet is for those Municipal Agencies that offer Parks and Recreation Programs, & Facilities. While Revenue is not main focus of Public Orgs, it is important to be good stewards of funds we have available. On one hand, we must find Efficiencies and “Economies of Scale” to lower Expenditures. On the other hand, we must find ways to increase Revenues. Here are a bunch of Revenue Ideas, placed in 7 Categories that will build your “Revenue House”. Some are obvious, and may already be in place. Others will inspire you to give it a try. Which of these Revenue Ideas are happing in your Agency?
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar:
https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/revenue-generation
RECREATION PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
As a Recreation Professional you can utilize the Job Competencies List to compare your current skills with the needed skills required for your next step in the profession. Armed with this “Skill Mapping” list, you can start, now, preparing for your future as a Director of a Parks and Recreation Agency.
Let's launch your Recreation Career with this detailed list of 55 Recreation Professional Competencies.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar:
https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/raising-the-bar
NINE NODES
Often, we move through our professional life, on a daily basis, not giving any thought to HOW we can better categorize our work, or even WHY that would be important. Indeed, it is vital for us to be growing as Parks & Recreation Professionals; however with these Nine Nodes in mind, we can ensure that we are actually growing in all the right places.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar:
https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/raising-the-bar
PERSONAL LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
A Leadership Philosophy is the foundational framework outlining your core beliefs, your values, and how your principles relate to how you lead. It acts as a compass: guiding you in your decision making, shaping how you operate, & building trust as you interact with others. A clear well-articulated leadership philosophy is crucial for you to be an effective leader, as it helps you understand your motivations, and leads to better self-awareness.
This Tip Sheet gives you the tools needed to craft your very own Personal Leadership Philosophy.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar:
https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/raising-the-bar
WOW FACTOR:
UNLEASHING CREATIVITY IN RECREATION
In recreation, Creativity & Innovation lead directly to a thing called: “WOW FACTOR”, which is that ability to stand out from the crowd with something unique or unexpected. It is that thing that “Draws In” our community. Let’s Unleash it together.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/wow-factor
WOW FACTOR:
BENCHES
This Tip Sheet looks at some ways to add Wow Factor in our Facility Seating. Everyone needs to sit. Sometimes to wait, Sometimes to get some work done, & sometimes just to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Some folks sit by themselves, while others use it to come together. Our Facility Seating can make or break their experience with us. Let’s Wow Them.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/wow-factor
WOW FACTOR:
WALKWAYS
This Tip Sheet looks at how to add Wow Factor in our Paths and Walkways. Pathways function as a way of connecting our Recreation Spaces. Surely, we can find ways to “spice” things up, by adding some creativity.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/wow-factor
WOW FACTOR:
CEILINGS
The Upper Areas of our Event Space and Lobbies are often overlooked as an area that can Wow. However, with some creativity, we can add some “pizazz” to enhance the experience of our participants.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/wow-factor
WOW FACTOR:
BIKING KIDS
Kids and bikes are a natural combination. For many, it is the first sense of freedom: Steer the bike, and Go! But along with freedom, comes responsibility: rules of the road, using the bike safely, etc. We can Wow them (& their parents) with quality bike programs & facilities.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/wow-factor
WOW FACTOR:
REC SWIMS
For facilities with a rec swim pool, let’s add Wow by offering a unique organized activity in the middle of Rec Swim hours. Kids pay extra to play, or perhaps earn tickets during the day. Fun to participate; Fun to watch; Wow for all.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/wow-factor
WOW FACTOR:
WORLD RECORDS
Add Wow to your Community Special Event or Kids Camp Program, by attempting a World Record. Do it for an OFFICIAL RECORD (check Guinness World Record website as things change often), or just for fun. Here are some ideas for your next attempt.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/wow-factor
WOW FACTOR:
ODD SPORTS
This Tip Sheet explores some Unique Sports that will created some Wow Factor. Give your Rec Center a chance to try something new, with just a little cost for equipment. Maybe do it as a “demo” first; then run it as a league. BTW, all these sports have national teams competing in world championships (expect for the last two).
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/wow-factor
WOW FACTOR:
VOLLEYBALL
Most Volleyball is played in a Gymnasium, on Grass, or on Sand. However, we can add Wow by offering a unique volleyball experience. Try putting a twist to the sport. Try these as a tournament or as a league.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/wow-factor
WOW FACTOR:
EQUIPMENT NAMING
Add Wow by running a contest to name your maintenance equipment, and raise Community Engagement. Try offering the winners a prize to increase participation. Then put the name in large letters on the Equipment, so that your community recognizes it.
These tips come from the Full Session given at Recreation Conferences. It is also available as Webinar: https://remarkablewebinars.thinkific.com/courses/wow-factor
BECOMING REMARKABLE:
ALACRITY & TENACITY
The ultimate team player is the person who exhibits these two characteristic traits: Alacrity & Tenacity. This Tip Sheet shows you how to activate a Passion for your profession that is contagious; combined with a Work Ethic that is inspiring. “Becoming Remarkable” is about bringing these two elements together, resulting in an improved professional performance that elevates your professional career.
BECOMING REMARKABLE:
PURSUING EXCELLENCE
The Pursuit of Excellence requires Intentionality. We must be purposeful about both our daily actions, and our long-term thought processes. As we strive to improve our habits, it is vital that we keep our mindset pointed in the right direction. This Tip Sheet gives you five ways to approach the pursuit of excellence, along with two tangible action steps.
RECREATION PROFESSIONAL BOOT CAMP
Are your Recreation Staff in need of Training and Mentoring? Then, the RPBC Boot Camp is the perfect solution. The RPBC Boot Camp is an Online, On-Demand, Coaching Experience that is perfect for new Recreation Professionals. The Boot Camp provides the foundation needed to thrive in the Recreation Profession. Note: If desired, this Boot Camp can be brought In-Person to your place & customized to your needs.
Call for a Budget Friendly Quote.
BECOMING REMARKABLE BOOT CAMP
Are your Office Staff in need of Training and Mentoring? Then the BCBC Boot Camp is the perfect solution. The BRBC Boot Camp is an Online, On-Demand, Coaching Experience that is perfect for new staff as first time "Professionals". The Boot Camp provides the foundation needed to thrive in an office environment.
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