This fall many have discovered or rediscovered why the National Park System is so special to them after watching the Ken Burns’ series, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” This issue of Ranger also taps into portions of that idea, including the personal feelings of several authors and what the future of that idea holds for us.

ANPR member Deb Liggett once reminded us of the nobility of our professions as National Park Service employees and the greater idea we serve. It’s a noble idea that we can preserve the best examples of this nation’s natural and cultural resources and their supporting values, processes and stories in perpetuity, while also encouraging nonconsumptive, nondetrimental enjoyment. This idea is worth studying, critically re-examining and explaining to NPS employees and park visitors and supporters at every opportunity.

During my career, if I found myself temporarily discontented with agency or executive branch policies or initiatives, or even with my own individual work situation, I forced myself to concentrate on that bigger idea of what the National Park System represents and strives to achieve. Asking yourself at the beginning of each NPS work day, “How will what I do today advance and support the National Park System idea?” is a worthwhile technique to increase personal satisfaction and productivity.

As we approach the next Ranger Rendezvous, our 32nd, another idea we need to reconsider is the ANPR idea. Early on ANPR was formed primarily for two reasons: as a social forum to see old friends and meet new ones, and as a direct communication conduit between NPS employees in the field and senior NPS managers in national and regional offices.

The latter reminds me of the old axiom where a group of employees says, “This sh#* stinks and we’re not going to take it anymore.” After going through the many layers of supervisors and managers, by the time it gets to top management it is reported that employees in the field are saying, “This material supports growth and that is a good thing for our company’s future.”

Among the articles about the National Park System idea in this issue, you’ll also find one about the future of ANPR. It’s authored by four members, two of whom are past ANPR presidents. As in my previous e-mail communications and this quarterly column, they encourage a new generation of ANPR members to take control of this organization and to transform it to whatever purposes best represent the wishes and needs of today’s NPS employees.

There are many opportunities for individual members to step into that leadership role. Surely, there is some professional issue relating to your job or some agency policy that concerns you and that you think is not receiving adequate attention internally. If so, draft a position paper and send it in for ANPR to investigate and potentially endorse.

Or, become a leader in organizing Ranger Rendezvous in 2010 to be something different than it has been — something more useful and inviting than our current format.

An obvious step into ANPR leadership would be placing your name in nomination for a position on the ANPR Board of Directors. In this year’s election we choose three important positions — President Elect, Board Member for Membership Services and Board Member for Fund Raising Activities.

We’ve gone through a national election cycle in which the word “change” played a significant role. A popular quote from Mahatma Gandhi is pertinent: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” If you want something different from ANPR, now is your opportunity to be that change.

Finally, I invite you to make hotel reservations and register today for the Ranger Rendezvous Dec. 6-10 in Gettysburg, Pa. Links for conference registration and information on the facility and the agenda are at gettysburg-rr.htm. Our 2008 gathering in Santa Fe was the most well attended since 2001. Please help us build on that momentum for 2009 and beyond.

— Scot McElveen