My fellow members,

     Almost 60 years ago the Florida Institute of Park Personnel was created with the purpose of providing training and service to those who spend their life in servitude to the public.

     Two weeks ago I was humbled to have the honor and privilege of being sworn in as President of this great organization.  I did not however gain this position on my own; it took you to elect me. To this end I call upon you once again to rally behind me

      FIPP is not immune to the ebb and flow of today’s economic climate and the board is working extremely hard to try and find ways to keep this venerable organization viable; but we can not do it without your help.

      If you have had the opportunity to attend a district meeting or fall conference thank your boss, suggest your boss sends someone else to the next meeting and suggest that another co-worker becomes a member.

        I’m sure every one of you has been affected by the budget cuts, lay-offs, and the inevitable request to once again do “more with less”. 

     Now more than ever we need to band together and rely upon each other to solve the hurdles and challenges before us, but we don’t need to do it alone.  Each and every one of us has it within ourselves to be creative and share our creativity with others.

       There have been many times I have picked up the phone and found a simple solution to what I thought was a major problem because someone else in FIPP has dealt with the same situation or conversely someone has called me about a problem they are having.

       FIPP survives because every individual has the opportunity to talk to others. This occurs not only during our formal sessions but also during the breaks, interaction with the vendors that support us, the dinners and social activities that are offered or simply just by making a phone call.

      FIPP can provide a level of service not found in any other statewide organization.  Under the leadership and insight of Past-President Mark Lynch, the executive board has done some serious number crunching and found avenues to make FIPP not only affordable but able to custom design programs for its members.

     I intend to continue the drive towards the parks and recreation communities that Mark started and I encourage each and every one of you to take an active part in how your community perceives your parks and what your part in those parks are.

     Please take advantage of our website: fipp-inc.org; call your board members if you have questions or comments, or e-mail any of us.  We are always looking for suggestions from our membership and we always need members who are motivated enough to step up and help to continue the great tradition that is the Florida Institute of Park Personnel.

Sincerely,

Chris Casale

President FIPP