Sections

		Aquatic
		Park
		Recreation
		Therapeutic Recreation (WTRS)
		Emeritus
		* Office Support
		* Student

Section Leadership

View all section leadership

About Membership Sections

Within the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association there is an appropriate membership for anyone that works in the parks, natural resources, recreation, aquatics, or therapeutic field. The organization is there to assist you with any questions, comments or concerns that you may have. Listed below is a brief description on each of the sections and what their main goals are to assist the membership.

**  Click on the blue links to be directed to the appropriate section information.

  Aquatic Section: The Aquatic Section’s main goal is to educate the members on current health codes and safety information while keeping the members current on trends and issues relating to aquatic facilities. Each year the Aquatics Section conducts an annual summer aquatic seminar to offer continuing education courses in aquatic related studies to the membership as well as an annual summer pool tour. The section promotes the need for proper training in the aquatics field in management, operations and safety of pool personnel and equipment.

This section is for anyone that works in the aquatics field to assist them in fostering a mutual understanding and provide the means for sharing professional information among aquatic personnel. In addition it attempts to provide assistance and resources for common problems that occur in aquatic settings while striving to achieve and maintain a high standard of professional ethics and competence in aquatic services while promoting the continuing education and development of personnel in the field. The Aquatic Section hosts a number of Aquatic Facility Operator courses throughout the year. An Executive Committee guided by action taken by the membership, manages the affairs of the section.

  Park Section: The Park Section strives to foster a mutual understanding and provide the means for sharing professional information among Park personnel within the state. Each year the Parks Section conducts workshops in order to achieve and maintain the high standard of professional ethics and competence in Park and Recreation services. It also promotes and encourages the development of continuing education among its members.

In addition to planning and coordinating State Conference educational sessions, the Park Section has an annual spring workshop and summer park tour. This tour and workshop highlights outstanding park facilities throughout the state. An Executive Committee guided by action taken by the membership, manages the affairs of the section.

  Recreation Section: The Recreation Section provides an opportunity for recreation professionals to foster mutual understanding and provide the means for sharing professional information among recreation and personnel. In addition it provides assistance and resources in the solution of common problems as well as striving for the achievement and maintenance of high standards of professional ethics and competence in recreation leadership.

In addition to planning and coordinating State Conference educational sessions, the Recreation Section has an annual spring workshop. The workshop highlights some current trends or issues that effect the recreation profession. An Executive Committee guided by action taken by the membership, manages the affairs of the section.

  Wisconsin Therapeutic Recreation Society: The Therapeutic Section meets to present specific guidelines to the kind of services that can help the physically, mentally, emotionally ill, and those with special needs to realize their fullest potential socially, physically, and intellectually, as well as with their leisure needs.

The second oldest section in this organization, the Rehabilitative Section was the first to hold separate workshops each year. By vote of section membership, their rules were revised to change the name to the Wisconsin Therapeutic Recreation Society in the 1980’s. An Executive Committee guided by action taken by the membership, manages the affairs of the section.

  Student Section: The Student Section of the WPRA was formulated to unite students with a common interest in Parks and Recreation and to promote interest in these professional fields among students. Its other main purpose is to cultivate professional attitudes among students from the schools and universities throughout the state of Wisconsin.

The student section meets regularly to plan and organize programs beneficial to its members. Membership is open to under-graduates or graduates involved in the area of parks, natural resources, recreation, therapeutic recreation and related majors/minors.

  Emeritus Section: The Emeritus Section consists of retired park and recreation professionals who want to continue their involvement and support of the State Association.

Emeritus members actively contribute to the WPRA Foundation to provide student scholarships and grants, as well as judging the annual silver star and park design awards.

  Office Support: The Office Support Section consists of office support personnel who want to enhance their involvement and support of the State Association.

Office Support members actively contribute to the WPRA by attending Office Support Workshops and pre-conference workshops to enhance their ability to provide quality services to their communities and organizations.