By Kathleen Hatch
As I reflect on the year ahead, and the many opportunities in our NIRSA world, it occurs to me that the magic of our Association is found not only in a collection of excellent professional development events, but also, and especially, in the overlapping and interlocking of our diverse efforts. Whether it’s the diversity of t-shirts selected, the careful attention to detail in every stitch, the selfless and countless hours invested by those who provide their time and talent to pull it together, or the generosity of those who participate in purchasing tickets (often on behalf of others), for many NIRSA members, one of the great symbols of our collective impact is the quilt actioned off by the NIRSA Foundation at our Annual Conference. Every part of the quilt tells a unique story—and yet, once combined, the singular elements are bound in a professional collage where value and strength are multiplied.
For many NIRSA members, one of the great symbols of our collective impact is the quilt actioned off by the NIRSA Foundation at our Annual Conference.Our own diverse involvement with NIRSA feels at times like all the component parts of a quilt – and like the quilt when viewed together it can be seen as something more: a springboard to new member resources, exciting ways to showcase excellence, secrets to advance your career, opportunities to leverage your voice on campus or finding a deeper meaning in the simple actions of our daily lives.
Here are some upcoming opportunities for you to be part of the fabric of the NIRSA “quilt:”
- Celebrate National Recreation Sports & Fitness Day, February 22. Then be sure to share your story
- Participate in one of the many NIRSA professional development events this spring—I hear NASHVILLE in April will be very special
- VOTE in our Association’s 2014 elections
- Be part of the first wave to renew your RCRSP—or consider joining and putting yourself on a path of committed life-long learning
- Read the lead article in the Know from NIRSA leaders about mentorship and then put their lessons into practice
- Find a colleague on campus outside of recreation to partner with to advance student development—new opportunities are emerging with our alliance with National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) to highlight best practices
- Set aside some time to reflect on the positive impact of recreation and sport
Last month, I was joined by our Executive Director Pam Watts at the mid-year meeting for the LGBT Sports Coalition in Chicago and it was exciting to see the good work being done in so many areas to end hate, bias, and discrimination in sport. Coming out of that meeting it is clear that NIRSA has many ways to contribute and model inclusivity for all.
As the Sochi Olympics begin this month, I hope we all find ways to celebrate sport and cheer on the athletes from around the globe with our international colleagues and students. Beyond the athletic competition, let’s use these games to serve another purpose—let these games be a jumping off point to inspire conversations about civil rights, social justice, and equality and ignite the Olympic spirit in all of us. In anticipation, I wore my CANADA toque in Chicago. Unfortunately, I think it was too cold for anyone to notice!
I’m headed out for one of my new work-out routines . . . a warm-up run, weights, and some stretching . . . there just might be some hope for me!
Kathleen
