EYE ON THE PROFESSION

A CLOSER LOOK AT TRENDS AND ISSUES IN THE PARK AND RECREATION PROFESSION

The Evolution of a Section

Evolution. It's been a topic of great debate within our educational system for many years. Putting aside all of the evolution versus religion talk, I'd like to share with you the great evolutionary strides made by a particular group of park and recreation professionals over the past couple years. In December 2003, a small but passionate group of individuals lobbied for a new section to be brought into the world of IPRA. This section would give a home to anyone who has felt marginalized, out-of-step or just plain lost. Born was the Ethnic Minority Section. It's a well-known fact that the number of minorities in America is growing at an amazing rate.

The U.S. Census Bureau is projecting the Hispanic and African-American populations to continue rising, especially in more urban areas, not to mention the growing population of Eastern Europeans that reside in our towns. We, as park and recreation professionals, need to be cognizant of the fact that we are not simply programming recreational opportunities for a single group. That type of mindset could lead to programming that completely misses out on this growing population.

It sounds simple, right? Reach out to the minority population in your town and effectively cater to their needs. But just ask some of our professionals who have tried integrating a bi-lingual seasonal brochure or an ethnic-focused program and they'll attest that it's not that easy. Programming for urban communities is completely different than that of the outlying suburban areas. That is where the Ethnic Minority Section can be a tremendous resource for others in the field. They will play a huge role in how the field of parks and recreation evolves over the years to come. The section has evolved, much like the makeup of our communities.

Back when the section began, it was comprised of a handful of park and recreation professionals who sought a common bond with other minorities like themselves. But this is changing. The need for a greater understanding of this segment of the population and how to best serve them has led to more and more IPRA professionals turning to the Ethnic Minority Section for advice.

Expanding the section's membership beyond just what a person looks like is critical for the field of parks and recreation. A recent Communication & Marketing Section meeting, primarily made up of white females, featured a discussion of ethnic minority issues they've faced over the past year. Members of the Recreation Section have expressed their concern over missing the boat when it came to properly programming classes and events due to the rising minority populations in their communities.

We all must be aware of and understand how minorities are changing the way that park agencies are doing business today. The leaders of the Ethnic Minority Section are passionate about their jobs and want to teach others in the field about the impact minorities have on our field.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Ethnic Minority Section meetings. Expanding diversity beyond just color and looking towards an individual's character, qualifications and abilities is what it means to get involved with this section. ■

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