WHAT IS AN EMERGING LEADER? An emerging leader is a student, recent graduate, or professional entering the Quality of Life Sector. This individual is perceived by his employer (paid or volunteer) or peers to have strong core competencies that, with support over time, will lead them to become a dynamic leader within the Sector. Due to the general scarcity of support, funding and direct mentorship, these leaders may feel that they are stifled, overwhelmed, or generally not supported within the Sector, and take their talents and abilities to other sectors where they anticipate that they will receive greater recognition or support.

EMERGING LEADERS SUPPORTS Fundamentally, Emerging Leaders need support. This may be formal or informal, structured or unstructured, periodic or ongoing, and will generally fall into four categories:

Recognition – Early and Ongoing An Emerging Leaders Task Group, under the guidance of the Education & Professional Development Committee, will work within core (ARPA members) and non-core (Communities in Bloom, AARFP, ATRA) networks to have employers (paid and volunteer) identify and put forward candidates for Emerging Leaders Programming. Formal Education Opportunities The Emerging Leaders Task Group will work with a variety of agencies to consider opportunities to meet the needs that are identified by the Emerging Leaders Programming, either by the candidates or through the networks. Networking and Interconnectedness The Emerging Leaders Task Group will work to create connections through a variety of means – regional face-to-face networking and educational opportunities, digital connection (website, facebook, twitter, etc.) Coaching The Emerging Leaders Task Group will work to identify and provide coaches for program participants. In addition, it will work to develop programming that enriches the capacity of the coaches to provide quality supports to the participants. To nominate someone

For More information please contact eleaders@arpaonline.ca.mailto:eleaders@arpaonline.ca

Edmonton, AB- The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) is excited to welcome Mr. Bill Wells as their new Chief Executive Officer. Bill is the former Executive Director of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA), where his leadership was critical to the school board in anticipating trends and issues that impacted the field, as well as the development and maintenance of many critical relationships with organizations that were key partners within the education community. His focus on communications strategies with media, business, and government with the SSBA will greatly assist ARPA as we continue to improve these critical relationships as well.

Bill also was a member of Regina City Council for over 18 years, elected in six consecutive elections, serving the second longest term in city history. While on council, he served on many council committees and was the chair of several, and was involved in a number of provincial, national and international councils in the area of recreation, arts and culture, transportation, and environment.

“We are thrilled to have Bill join the ARPA team,” says Terry Welsh, ARPA President. “His experience and expertise are valuable assets for our organization moving forward, and his perspective from the education field and his experience in the political environment will help to shape a new path forward for the Association. Our organization is at a critical point in its growth and sustainability, with our involvement in developing the outcomes of the National Recreation Summit and our involvement with the Tripartite Group which involves the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta and the Ministry of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation to name just a couple of the Association’s critical partnerships.”

Bill Wells will officially become the CEO on March 1st, replacing Stephen Allan, who has been Acting CEO since ARPA’s long-term CEO, Rick Curtis, retired after the ARPA Conference in late October this past year.

The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association is a provincial, not-for-profit, charitable organization made up of volunteers committed to building healthy citizens, communities, and environments in Alberta through recreation and parks. Serving Albertans since 1951, ARPA members include municipal and public recreation agencies, educators, corporate, elected members, volunteers, and student members.

For more information on ARPA, please visit http://arpaonline.ca