September 2024 – Parks & Recreation - 45

The NRPA DEI Network adopted the
quick guides project to give members an
easy and " quick " place to start.
they serve by using more inclusive
event titles to show that everyone is
welcome and has a space to belong.
In using this guide, we hope to encourage
organizations across the
nation to consider the hidden implications
that can live within program
and event names and provide
support as you take steps toward
renaming existing events and developing
new programs with inclusive
language in mind. This guide
includes a list of typical annual and
seasonal events, giving each alternative
names shared (and used) by
professionals across agencies.
Thanks to Deb Smith, retired executive
director of Maine Recreation and
Park Association, for leading this work
with Chelsea VanAssche, Westerville
(Ohio) Parks and Recreation, and August
Vandiver, City of Pearland (Texas)
Parks and Recreation.
NRPA Quick Guide:
Reducing Implicit Bias
in Hiring
This guide is designed to assist
interviewers and hiring managers
with developing and refining strategies
to mitigate implicit bias, also
known as unconscious bias, during
interviews. This resource shares
practical steps to address them and
supports the creation of fair and
inclusive hiring practices within
agencies.
Thanks to Heather Carter, City of
El Cajon (California), for leading this
work with Teri deRosier, Cosumnes
(California) Community Services District;
Tede Price, City of Lee's Summit
(Missouri); Tracey Crawford, Northwest
Special Recreation Association
(Illinois); Zack Zuchowicz, Oakland
County (Michigan) Parks; Jenny Hymans,
Five Rivers MetroParks (Ohio);
and Elisa Accardi-Harrison, City of
Wichita (Kansas).
NRPA Quick Guide:
Starting a DEI Committee
This guide is designed to assist
park and recreation professionals
who are either planning to start or
have recently launched a committee
focused on advancing diversity,
equity, inclusion, justice and accessibility
within their agency. NRPA
uses Equity in Practice for the park
and recreation field; other professions
may use various acronyms,
like JEDI or IDEA (inclusion, diversity,
equity and accessibility).
Regardless of the title you give
your agency's work, this guide sees
the terms as interchangeable and,
in its examples and recommendations,
considers the varying sizes,
resources and locations of park
and recreation agencies across the
country to provide relevant guidance
for all organizational levels.
Thanks to Solita Riley, New York
City Department of Parks and Recreation,
for leading this work along
with Bronwen Mastro, Bend (Oregon)
Park and Recreation District; LaKeisha
Dickens, Las Vegas Department
of Parks and Recreation; and Zach
Zuchowicz, Oakland County (Michigan)
Parks.
Looking Toward the Future
The DEI Network and Quick
Guide Committees already have
started brainstorming the next
round of topics, with a group outlining
a sensory inclusion guide to
support professionals in thinking
of creative and innovative ways to
adjust programs for those who are
neurodivergent.
We are constantly looking to
and listening to members on how
to make sure our EiP resources are
relevant to the field and useful to
those of you working on the ground
in communities. If you have topic
ideas or are interested in joining the
DEI Network or leading your own
quick guide committee, please email
DEI_Education@nrpa.org.
Autumn Saxton-Ross, Ph.D., is NRPA's Chief Education
and Equity Officer (asaxtonross@nrpa.org).
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September 2024 – Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2024 – Parks & Recreation
