By Laurie Braden, 2014–2015 NIRSA President

In just a short time we will be gathering in Grapevine, Texas for our 66th Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Exposition.  In addition to being the very best opportunity for collegiate recreation professionals and students to grow their skills, this annual event is both a homecoming and a family reunion for many members.  Whether this is your first Annual Conference or if it is your 20th, I encourage you to make the most of every moment. By doing so, you will give yourself every opportunity to Move Your Own Values Forward and thereby strengthen the best version of yourself for the world.

From the Opening General Session speaker Alvin Law to the Closing General Session speaker Paul Wesslmann, there is a phenomenal program rich with educational sessions for you to select from and to grow your knowledge base in collegiate recreation and in life.

Opportunities to make connections and live your values abound: support the NIRSA Foundation at the Annual Golf Tournament, participate in the Mark Fletcher Fun Run/Walk, or attend one of the many professional development preconference workshops! Student members, first time attendees, and NIRSA veterans all will find a plethora of meaningful moments in Texas. Grapevine is anticipating our arrival and is anxious to host a strong, vibrant association of members ready to Move Their Values Forward.

This year’s conference program truly is Texas-big and I want to thank the entire program committee, with special praise for co-chairs Kim Schmidt and Laura Hall, for weaving our NIRSA values, educational competencies, and member feedback into a program that will allow each of us to make the most of our moments as we learn, play, and succeed together in Grapevine.

Members interested in the ongoing work and vision of the Association will find the following sessions of special interest:

  • NIRSA Core Competencies and Professional Registry Town Hall | Tuesday, March 31 • 8:30am-9:30am
  • Strategic Values Joint Town Hall | Tuesday, March 31 • 1:30pm-3:00pm
  • Annual Meeting of Members | Tuesday, March 31 • 4:30pm-6:00pm
  • NIRSA Core Competencies: How Competent Are You? | Thursday, April 2 • 11:00am – Noon
  • Research-based sessions
  • Individual strategic values commission town halls | see the conference program schedule for details

We have had a positive year of progress for the Association; all of the Association’s leadership groups are excited to gather and share the accomplishments of our members’ collective work.

From the NIRSA Championship Series’ implementation of the Transgender Participation Policy for all future Championship events to the work of our Strategic Values Commissions, there is much to discover and move forward in Texas.

Our governance structure, implemented in just the last five years, is proving to be the nimble and engaging model that so many of our members envisioned.  It is inclusive, allows for greater member involvement, and is both strong and flexible—and it will allow NIRSA to achieve its goal to be recognized as a leader in higher education.

Giddy up.  See ya’ll in Texas,

Laurie