|
- Share Your National Youth Week Story
National Youth Week was celebrated from May
7 - 13. Did your community host an event in
celebration of this week? If so, go to www.youthinrecreation.org/sstory/nyw.htm
and share your event or story so that a catalogue
of great ideas can be created for 2008 and to
find more information about National Youth Week.
- McGuinty Government announces largest Government
investment for public access to defibrillators
in Canadian history
In the recent provincial budget, the McGuinty
government announced that it is providing $3
million to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of
Ontario for the creation of a 'Thousand Defibrillators
Program' for Ontario's recreational facilities.
This is the largest Government investment for
public access to defibrillators in Canadian
history. Click
here to read more.
- 2007 Federal and Provincial Budgets
Click here
to read more about the impact of the budgets
on the parks and recreation sector.
- Dr. Kellie Leitch appointed to new as
Advisor on Healthy Children and Youth by Minister
Clement
The Federal Minister for Health, the Honourable
Tony Clement, appointed Dr. Kellie Leitch as
a new advisor on health issues facing children
and youth in Canada. Dr. Leitch was also chair
of the Expert Panel that advised the Department
of Finance on the Children's Fitness Tax Credit.
Parks and Recreation Ontario has been asked
to participate in an upcoming roundtable with
Dr. Leitch. To read the full release by the
Department of Health, please click here.
- Government Re-Launches ParticipACTION
with $5 million investment
February 19 - After the announcement last
year that the Federal Government would revive
the ParticipACTION program, the Honourable Helena
Guergis, Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs
and International Trade) (Sport) and the Honourable
Tony Clement, Minister of Health and the Minister
for the Federal Economic Development Initiative
for Northern Ontario, today unveiled the breadth
of the commitment. The aim of ParticipACTION
is to promote sport and physical activity among
Canadians of all ages and abilities and the
Harper Government promises to invest $1.4 million
in the first year to develop the business plan
and set up the office. An additional $3.6 million
will be provided in 2007-2008, through Sport
Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada,
to assist ParticipACTION in implementing its
business plan and its national strategy to promote
physical activity and sport participation. To
read more, click here.
The Government also launched a new website,
www.HeatlhyCanadians.ca,
in conjunction with ParticipACTION, which provides
consumers with "one-stop shopping"
for health and activity information.
- Provincial Consortium on Youth offer Youth
Development Workshops
Parks and Recreation Ontario is a member of
the Provincial Consortia on Youth in Recreation
(PCYR). The PCYR is pleased to present a series
of workshops on Intentional Youth Development
through recreation services. These workshops
are designed for those who manage, supervise
or coordinate recreation and social development
programs for youth ages 13 and up. The events
are being held in February and March of 2007.
Registration is $15 per person. For more information
on the dates, times and locations of these workshops,
and for the registration form, please click
here.
- Provincial Launch of the HIGH FIVE
Accreditation Process - “PRO has officially
launched the provincial roll out of the HIGH
FIVE Accreditation process. HIGH FIVE accreditation
establishes the benchmark for excellence in
children’s recreation and sport programming
for children aged 6-12. PRO invites everyone
to join HIGH FIVE in the ‘best way to play’!
To find out more information about the Accreditation
Launch and process, please click
here.
- Infrastructure Summary: Trends and
Recommendations August 2006 - Ontarians
need to have recreation opportunities that are
“inclusive and encompass every environment
that accommodates leisure, recreation, physical
activity and sport endeavours." Recreation
infrastructure in Ontario is aging and is in
a state of physical decline. The vast majority
of the publicly owned recreation facilities
was built between 1956 and 1980. To view the
full Summary Report, please click
here.
- Chronic Disease in Ontario and Canada
Determinants, Risk Factors and Prevention Priorities
- The Chronic Disease in Ontario and
Canada determinants, risk factors and prevention
priorities final report is now available
for downloading. A summary of this report is
also available, both in English,
and French.
- Youth Friendly Communities - Good
Practices - The Play Works Partnership
is pleased to release the report: Youth Friendly
Communities - Good Practices. This report identifies
the 8 good practices that are common to Youth
Friendly Communities. Based on research involving
many of the communities participating in the
Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program
(2005), this report shares the success stories
of communities that support youth development
through play. Download the Full
Report and the Executive
Summary.
- Aquatic Special Interest Area (SIA)
members identify priorities -
PRO SIA Aquatic members responded overwhelmingly
to a recent survey to help guide the PRO SIA
Aquatic Committee. Survey response resulted
in three main priorities for the next six to
12 months: (1) Learn To Swim; (2)
Database Resource for Members; and (3) ACTIVE2010. The
PRO SIA Aquatic Committee thanks all aquatic
professionals that participated in this survey
and looks forward to providing the updates on
the progress of each priority.
- Public Affairs Task Group
- There has been a significant increase in activity
related to public affairs and government relations
over the past year. A summary of progress made
on the Shared Action Plan with the Provincial
Government can be found in the 2005
PRO Annual Report and an Update
from the Public Affairs Task Group also
includes information on PRO’s public affairs
activities.
- Ontario Sport and Recreation Infrastructure
Study - The Minister of Health Promotion,
Jim Watson, and the Minister of Public Infrastructure
Renewal, David Caplan, were briefed recently
by the PRO Executive on results of the current
Recreation, Sport and Parks Infrastructure Study
and implications for repair and replacement
of community facilities.
View the current summary of this study.
- 2006 PRO Awards Recipients
- Congratulations to the PRO and Get
Active Now award recipients!
PRO presented 34 member and community awards,
and 20 special awards to acknowledge the individuals
and organizations that have contributed to the
advancement of parks and recreation in Ontario.
See
a complete list of award recipients.
- 2005 Annual Report - View
the "2005 Annual Report - Reaching our
Communities" by clicking
here.
- SummerActive 2006 is here plan your
events today! - Come on Ontario, it's
time to get thinking about summer - Tie up your
sneaker's and get ready to enjoy the warmer
weather by being active! SummerActive runs from
May 12 - June 21. SummerActive is a national
initiative involving community-based programs
that increase the awareness of the importance
of incorporating physical activity and healthy
eating into everyday living The SummerActive
initiative encourages all Ontarians to get active.
For hot tips on summer activities and to register
your events to win great prizes visit www.summeractive.org.
-
Job Mart - PRO is excited
to announce that Job Mart is now a complimentary
service for all Full, Group, Municipal, Post-Secondary,
and Student members! To learn more, please
click
here.
-
Municipal Membership - PRO
is pleased to announce its new Municipal Membership,
specifically designed for municipalities,
to include all staff and elected officials
under one, convenient membership. For further
information on this exciting, new membership
option, please click
here for the brochure and registration
form.
-
2006 Parks and Recreation Ontario
Annual General Meeting - Monday, April 10,
2006 - On April 10th, voting members
will be presented with a motion to endorse
the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association's
National Policy on Access to Recreation for
Low-income Families, as well as a seven
step action plan for PRO to support the implementation
of this policy. To view the motion, national
policy and AGM agenda, please see the links
below.
Motion
for Resolution
CPRA’s
National Policy
Agenda
for the 2006 AGM
-
Come n' Play -- With the
support of the Ministry of Health Promotion,
PRO awarded 50 municipalities and 25 not-for-profit
organizations with a $500 Come 'n Play grant.
The grants were awarded on a first-come, first-serve
basis and were designed to provide low-income
families, children, and youth with access
to minimal or no cost programs and recreation
during WinterAcrtive and March break. All
applicants have been notified of the application
results.
- Although WinterActive is
officially over you can still submit your unique
ideas and win great prizes by visiting
www.winteractive.org.
- PRO Recognizes North Bay Youth for
HIGH FIVE illustration - On February
27, PRO President Karen Makela and Mayor Victor
Fedeli, presented 12-year-old Holly Ryan of
North Bay with a plaque mounted poster featuring
her illustration of a caring leader, one of
HIGH FIVE's principles. To read the press release,
please click
here
- Volunteer Management in Community
Sport Clubs: A Study of Volunteers
- Commissioned by Parks and Recreation Ontario
and Sportalliance, this study investigates volunteers'
perceptions of community sport organization
practices and needs with regards to volunteer
management. The specific focus is on volunteer
recruitment, training, support, evaluation,
recognition, and retention. For the complete
report, which includes recommendations to help
address the outlined areas, click
here.
- Active2010 and the Ministry of Health
Promotion - As part of the province's
campaign to get more people fit and healthy,
the Ontario government is investing over half
a million dollars in the City of Toronto's physical
activity program. Toronto's "Get Your Move
On" program complements the province-wide
adult walking strategy to encourage adults to
get off their sofas and start walking regularly.
The adult walking campaign is being promoted
with posters by "For Better or Worse"
comic artist Lynn Johnston. Click
here for a copy of the "Walking. The
Activity of a Lifetime" booklet, or click
here for the News Release and Backgrounder.
- Liberals announce five-year, $350-million
fund for sport and recreation facilities
- Click
here to read more about Martin's announcement
and other party platforms.
- Election Strategies 2006
- An opportunity to raise awareness of parks
and recreation issues amongst all political
parties and advance our interests. Click
here to read CPRA's Election Strategy. Also
check out the Sports Matters Campaign at www.sportmatters.ca.
The Sports Matters Groups is calling on all
political parties to commit to investing the
equivalent of 1% of the health care budget on
sport and physical activity.
- Lottery to Help Fund Ontario Athletes
- On January 11, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming
Corporation announced that proceeds from a new
instant lottery, will support Ontario amateur
performance athletes, high performance-related
programs and services, as well as ACTIVE 2010.
To learn more, click
here.
- Pause to Play - Check out
the Ministry of Health Promotion's new initiative
'Pause to Play' and find out how youth can become
more active. Visit www.pausetoplay.ca/index.asp?content=flash
- Integrated Pan-Canadian Healthy Living
Strategy 2005 - To download the PDF
file, please click
here.
- Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
(CPRA) Vision - To read CPRA's
newly launched vision, please click
here.
- Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
(CPRA) - The national policy statement
on "Access to Recreation for Low-Income
Families" was adopted at the national AGM
of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
in Edmonton on October 14th, 2005. To view a
copy, please click
here.
-
$300-million for Health Promotion
and Disease Prevention - On October
20, Federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh
announced a $300-million Integrated Strategy
on Healthy Living and Chronic Disease, of
which one of three pillars of the strategy
is health promotion. To learn more, please
visit www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2005/2005_37_e.html
-
Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
- On October 17, Minister of Community and
Social Services, Sandra Pupatello, announced
two new standards to help eliminate barriers
for people with disabilities. To learn more,
please visit www.cfcs.gov.on.ca/CFCS/en/newsRoom/newsReleases/051017.htm
-
Voluntary Sector Awareness Project
Conversations - On Wednesday November
2, 2005, Parks and Recreation Ontario in partnership
with the Sport Matters Group will be hosting
two Toronto-area Conversations for Ontario's
sport, recreation and active living sector.
The overall objective of the project is to
hold 100 regional conversations with leaders
in the voluntary sector across Canada, to
raise awareness about the sector as a whole
and to gather ideas for cross-sectoral co-operation
and partnership in preparation for the broader
national campaign planned for 2006.
The conversation sessions will be held in
Room 1A/1B at the Sport Alliance Centre (1185
Eglinton Avenue East at Don Mills Road), the
first from 1 to 4 p.m. and the other from
7 to 10 p.m. Other Ontario conversations will
also be held in North Bay and Ottawa. For
more information or to register for a session,
please contact Paul Jurbala at paul@communityactive.ca
-
Ontario Trails Strategy Launched
- The Ministry of Health Promotion launched
the Ontario Trails Strategy at the Don Valley
Trail in Toronto on October 6. The Ontario
Trails Strategy is a critical component of
the government's ACTIVE 2010 plan to increase
Ontario's physical activity rate. The strategy
identifies ways the Ontario government can
work with partners and stakeholders to develop,
promote and extend Ontario's trail system.
The government will contribute $3.5-million
to implement this strategy. To learn more,
please visit www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/news/100605.asp.
-
20 Minutes of Daily Physical Activity
in Ontario Schools - On October 6,
with the help of the Toronto Maple Leafs,
Minister of Education Gerard Kennedy launched
a province-wide program outlining 20 minutes
of daily physical activity in elementary schools
to combat childhood obesity. The program is
part of the government's Healthy Schools Program
and will become a mandatory component of the
elementary curriculum. To learn more, please
visit www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/dpa.html.
-
Playworks Partnership and Youth
Friendly Communities - Congratulations
to the nine Ontario communities now recognized
under the "Playworks Partnership Youth Friendly
Community Recognition Program." For more information,
please visit www.playworkspartnership.ca
or click
here to view the press release.
- The Ministry of Health Promotion:
Communities In Action Fund - The Ministry
of Health Promotion: Communities In Action Fund
- CIAF aims to help bring about a physical activity
and community sport culture in Ontario by helping
local and provincial not-for-profit organizations
provide and enhance opportunities for physical
activity and community sport and recreation.
This initiative is a key piece of the Ministry
of Health Promotion's sport and physical activity
strategy that aims to help Ontarians be more
physically active. Applications from eligible
organizations were accepted and processed up
until the final deadline date on September 6,
2005. Click
here for more information.
- Living Schools develops resources
- Nine Living School pilot site communities
have been busy the past couple of months, each
conducting a community needs assessment to determine
the types of programs and services that will
best meet the needs of their communities. To
support our recreation partners in this process,
PRO has created two exciting resources: a recreation
partner roles document; and, recreation-specific
tools and resources. For more information about
these resources,
click here.
- Ontario Regulations for Public Spas
- PRO, along with other representatives within
the aquatics sector, have been monitoring and
providing input into proposed changes to provincial
spa regulations. The most current draft of the
regulations can be viewed here.
To provide comments, contact pro@prontario.org
or John Lohuis at john.lohuis@mississauga.ca
- Building Stronger, Better Communities:
Planning Reform - Ontario Government
- PRO has sent a formal submission of suggestions,
which summarize the interests of the parks and
recreation sector in this legislative initiative
of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing.
The document includes information on significant
trends and the need for accessible, inexpensive
healthy alternatives for Ontario citizens. The
response, prepared by the PRO Public Affairs
Committee, can be found here.
- Community Use of Schools Announcement
- PRO President Howie Dayton spoke at the press
conference on July 9th announcing a provincial
government commitment to invest $20 million
to help community groups access local schools.
For more information, please see the PRO press
release
and the Government's press
release.
- Fact Sheets for Effective Volunteer Involvement
- This resource, made up of a series of fourteen
fact sheets, was created to support grassroots
and citizen-based organizations that do not
receive leadership and other services through
traditional networks. The resource is designed
to be easily reproduced and distributed according
the particular needs of an organization, and
deals with topical issues such as effective
volunteer recruitment, involving youth, avoiding
burnout, and screening. To download fact sheets,
go to: www.volunteer.ca/volcan/eng/whatsnew/index.php?display=8
- Ontario Rural Youth Dialogue-
Great resource that addresses rural youth in
rural communities respecting community and economic
development. To view this report click
here.
- Guide to Volunteer Program Management
Resources - Volunteer Canada has posted
a free, 28-page Guide to Volunteer Program Management
Resources. It lists the top volunteer management
resources, books, guides and manuals from Canada
and around the world. A brief description and
review accompanies each item. Download
the PDF file.
Parks and Recreation Ontario
Suite 406, 1185 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M3C 3C6
Tel : (416) 426-7142
Fax : (416) 426-7371
E-mail : pro@prontario.org
|
