2018 – 2019 Report
Recreation North Vision
Across the North, the power and potential impact of recreation is embraced and valued as an essential service.
Recreation is understood to enhance personal, social, and environmental health and wellbeing and contributes to greater balance between quality of life and economic development.
Program Development and Delivery
Goal #1: A successful, practical and relevant Program; a basic sustainable level of recreation opportunities; and staff/volunteer development and retention in communities.
2018 – 2019
Highlights:
This fiscal year Recreation North took great strides in taking what was
learned from the Pilot and made some adjustments to launch the full Recreation
North Training Program in November 2018. Moving from Pilot to Program involved
the development of an online registration system, tracking learners completed
learning events, and promoting the Training Program across the three
territories. An online delivery schedule was created with the flexibility of
allowing learners to begin registering for learning events at any point during
the year. This has been a large benefit to Learners, as transitions occur in
recreation positions throughout the year. New recreation leaders have been able
to begin gaining knowledge as soon as they begin their position, and no longer
needed to wait for a Fall intake of learners.
While majority of the learning events were created during
the Pilot, time and human resources were needed to make edits to learning events
based on the evaluation recommendations from the Pilot. One of the pieces of
feedback from the Pilot was that there needed to be more consistency from one
learning event to the next. This was important to learners, and as a result
took human resources to ensure there was consistency among the learning events.
In addition to this, new learning events were being developed that will roll
out in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
This year, each territorial RPA was given the option to deliver learning events
in-person. The NWTRPA delivered a learning event in 4 Regions. The focus in
each Region was on the content, but also to help learners understand the online
system (moodle) that is used. Computer lab space was used in each Region to
take learners through the online system. This worked well and transitioned 67%
of learners from in-person delivery to registering and participating in online
delivery.
Typically, 1- 2 learning events have been delivered monthly from November –
March. Each learning event has been filled to capacity (15 learners), with a
waitlist in addition to this. While most
learners have been taking each learning event, we still see one or two new
people registering for a learning event.
This fiscal year has also had a great amount of time and resources put into developing a Recreation North Youth Certificate. The intent is that the Youth Certificate could be delivered in-person to provide youth with some foundational knowledge to recreation in the North and the impact they can make in their communities. Content for this certificate is close to being completed with the intent of delivery for 2019 – 2020.
2018 – 2019 in Numbers:
- 8 learning events were delivered online between November 2018 – March 2019 with learners from each Territory.
- A pre-learning event/Orientation to Moodle is open for learners to register for at any point in time to understand the online system.
- Recreation Foundation 101 was in high demand and resulted in 2 offerings of this learning event. A total of 19 learners were enrolled.
- Recreation Leadership 101, Recreation Systems 101 and 102, Risk Management 101, and Programming and Events 101 were all over capacity with 16 – 19 learners in each.
- Recreation Management 102 had 12 learners. (This is not a required learning event for the Certificate in Northern Recreation Leadership.)
- Our learning events average an 88% completion rate.
Governance
Goal #2: An accountable, well-managed
partnership and Management Team with the capacity, credibility and connections
to sustain the Program over many years.
2018 – 2019 Highlights:
The management team, consisting of the 3 Executive Directors from RPAY,
NWTRPA, and RPAN, completed a Partnership Agreement, and are close to
completing an Operational Agreement. This fiscal year a strategic plan was
approved to provide direction. A space in Moodle (Home Base) was also created
for the management team to be able to share working documents and continue discussions on the operations and
focus for Recreation North.
The management team has had a strong focus on sustainability dedicating some time at in-person meetings to discuss this further. Meetings this year consisted of 5 conference calls, 2 in-person meetings, and an in-person meeting for the Program Manager and Lead Trainer.
Sustainability
Goal #3: A sustainable future for Recreation
North and the Program with expanded option for capacity building and community
service.
2018 – 2019 Highlights:
Recreation North has been gaining traction from other Provinces in Canada
that see the value in Recreation North for their rural and remote communities. They
have been asking more questions and wondering how quickly they could have
access to the Training Program. Conversations are
underway to explore the opportunity for Recreation North learners to receive
some credit towards a Professional Development Certification with the Canadian
Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA). Moving into 2019 – 2020 fiscal
year, a great amount of time will be utilized to determine the feasibility and
structure offering the Recreation North Training Program would look like across
Canada and seeking additional philanthropic funding to support this work.
Learner Testimonials:
We are proud of what our learners have been accomplishing in their learning events. Their testimonials show us that what they are learning is being applied immediately to their work/volunteer positions.
Sherry Whittle from Carmacks, YT completed Risk Management 101 with 3 other staff members. When asked what were the strengths of this learning event she said, “Completing the Risk Management. 1). Preparing as a team was a great experience. 2). Gave increased awareness of how to prioritize and manage risk.”
Glenn Guevara from Inuvik, NT was asked to give an example of how he would use what he learned in Recreation Systems 102 in his work, community or personal life. His response was,
“When I work and concentrate in a specific environment which
is LTC (long-term care), I forgot to step back and look in the bigger picture.
This course “knowing our community” makes me aware and familiar that
“recreation” in a big picture and as a whole. As a result, I can be
more motivated and also more effective in my work and also in the
community.”
In each learning event there are 2 conference calls that learners are
encouraged to participate in. Sonja Lonsdale from Iqaluit, NU said, “Sharing is always my favorite part. To
hear what others are doing and how that might be applicable in my community.
Also, in a way, the modules “force”, for lack of a better word, to
look at myself and my own practice.” (Recreation Leadership 101)
