Webinar Description:
Public parks and recreation agencies are challenged now to really understand, define, and communicate financial goals and responsibilities. For many, budget cuts mean having to make tougher decisions than ever before. The traditional social programming benefits of offerings are being tested, other agencies are fighting for reduced dollars, and we can't just keep doing "what we've always done". This session will outline key financial considerations, indicators, and methodologies that help build consensus on mission, appropriate cost recovery goals, resource allocation, pricing, alternative funding, budget structures and return on investment scenarios. This includes an overview of key budget planning strategies, the Public Services Assessment Matrix, the Pyramid Methodology, positioning outcomes, and other tools that work.

Learning Objectives:

During the webinar you will:

• Discuss ways to evaluate resources and subsidies, and understand how this affects cost recovery and the expectations of your community.
• Identify the structure and uses of the Pyramid Methodology and the Public Services Assessment Matrix.
• Discuss creating a comprehensive cost recovery, resource allocation and pricing philosophies based on mission for specific and unique communities.

Speaker:
Jamie S. Sabbach, M.S., CPRP
Executive Director and Founding Member
GP RED - Research, Education and Development for Health, Recreation and Land Agencies

Speaker Information:

Jamie has more than 20 years of practical and academic experience in the parks and recreation industry. Prior to joining GreenPlay as a Senior Project Consultant in 2007, she worked for notable public agencies such as the Champaign, IL Park District; the Bloomington, IN Parks and Recreation Department, and the Boulder, CO Parks and Recreation Department in the capacities of programmer, facility manager, superintendent and director. Jamie has also been an Assistant Professor at Illinois State University and continues to contribute to higher education as an adjunct faculty member at Metro State College in Denver, Colorado. Jamie's extensive experiences in program and facility development, organizational planning, financial management, and community engagement, along with her comprehensive knowledge of the field allow her to direct dynamic and effective processes that lead to impressive results.
 
Jamie is an active member of the National Recreation and Park Association having served in a variety of leadership capacities. Most recently she is serving a second, three year term on the Council on Accreditation, the governing body that grants accreditation to colleges and universities in parks and recreation programs and curriculum.  Jamie is a past President of the American Park and Recreation Society, and was instrumental in developing the Student Branch/APRS relationship that exists today. In 2008, she was inducted as a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.
 
As a presenter at many state, regional and national conferences, Jamie is continually ranked as a top rated speaker. She has presented and taught more than 60 continuing education programs at various professional development schools, and at many state, regional, national and international conferences since 1996.  Topics have include governmental financing, planning, program and facility development, ethics, and others, all intended to position agencies and organizations to effectively and efficiently manage themselves in today's dynamic social and economic climates. She is a sought-after development trainer for many departments across the country speaking on a variety of topics of interest to the field of parks and recreation. In 2007 she was selected to present at the International Federation of Parks and Recreation Administration Conference in Dublin, Ireland, and this year presented at the World Leisure Congress in Quebec, Canada.