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Why Join PRO?

PRO membership is available for anyone who has an interest in recreation, parks, fitness, sport, facilities, the environment, aquatics, therapeutic recreation, camping, the arts, culture or other related sectors. As a PRO member, you'll join a network of over 1,500 professionals, volunteers, educators, students, interested citizens, elected officials and commercial organizations. Join in building a powerful, collective voice to secure a strong future of parks and recreation in Ontario

Benefits of Membership

From education to networking, to advocacy and resources, PRO provides you with the tools you need to enhance the quality of life in your community through recreation and parks.  

Advance Parks and Recreation in Ontario

Through your membership, you will support the PRO's public policy initiatives.  PRO aims to enhance the quality of life for all Ontarians by positively influencing public policy at the local, provincial and federal levels.  PRO works with members and stakeholders to strengthen our sector by positioning the benefits and importance of recreation and parks with decision makers.  Through this work, PRO has gained a reputation as a trusted advisor and strategic partner with government.

You will also have access to advocacy tools to help you become an advocate in your community.

Research and Reports

PRO seeks to enhance the position of recreation and parks in local communities through the development of reports and research that inform and educate. PRO members have instant access to relevant data and information contained in reports like:

Use and Benefits of Local Government Recreation and Parks Services: An Ontario Perspective
Charter for Recreation and Parks in Ontario
Investing in Healthy and Active Ontarians Through Recreation and Parks Infrastructure

Expand Your Skills and Knowledge

PRO offers two annual conferences, along with a number of workshops and webinars designed to meet the needs of members in the ever changing parks and recreation field.  As a PRO member, you will enjoy special member rates for training events and notification of new training events delivered right to your desktop. 

You'll also stay informed with our monthly E-bulletin, full of the latest news, emerging trends, a training calendar and links to more research.

Networking

PRO also provides extensive networking opportunities with colleagues and associates who share similar interests and have diverse expertise, both at our conferences and in our new online communities!  You'll be able to post questions and connect with colleagues across the province on issues such as facility management and design, HR, legislation and other emerging topics.

As a PRO member, you'll also have the opportunity to volunteer on task groups, the Board of Directors and on other projects.  Board nominations take place each January and other volunteer opportunities are publicized throughout the year. 

And, at our two annual Trade Shows, you'll also have the opportunity to meet industry leaders and see the latest innovations in products and design.

Job Mart

Job Mart is PRO's electronic job posting service, the only posting service in Ontario dedicated to parks and recreation..  As a PRO member, you'll receive current job postings, delivered right to your desktop through the Job Mart email service.  As well, PRO members receive a discount on job posting. Visit the Job Mart web page for more information.

Awards

Each year, through its Awards Program, Parks and Recreation Ontario recognizes and honours the achievements of both its members and those in the parks and recreation community. These highly-coveted awards express PRO’s admiration of and gratitude to individuals and organizations that have contributed to the advancement of leisure, parks and recreation in Ontario. The Awards Program includes awards for members, communities, individuals, students and local groups.  Visit the Awards web page for more information.

Leveraging Your Membership

As a member of PRO, you will also automatically be a member of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, the national voice for parks and recreation. CPRA is an alliance of Provincial and Territorial recreation associations dedicated to promoting a national vision, a national research agenda, national policies and standards.

In addition, PRO works to foster strategic partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders in Ontario.  Through your PRO membership, you'll be connected to organizations in public health, education, chronic disease prevention, urban planning, trails, and more.

Visit the Membership Plans page for complete information on fees and registration