Mission 16 Launched

A 10-year program to improve the resource stewardship capacity of the National Park Service was launched by ANPR at the Ranger Rendezvous. Read about the program and member involvement in the Winter 2003-04 issue of Ranger. A steering committee will oversee strategic direction and goal accomplishment. Members of that committee are Rick Gale (chair), Mary Martin, Bob Krumenaker, Nancy Ward and Dave Anderson. Working for them, at least initially, are four work groups: background and project direction; statistical baseline and projections; public relations and outreach; and membership recruitment. Volunteers are needed to work with each of these except member recruitment, which is full (see details below).

ANPR Instrumental in Change to Outsourcing

Director Mainella made the announcement at Ranger Rendezvous that fee collectors and park guides no longer are subject to outsourcing studies. This announcement before field employees came fully 24 hours before its release in any other venue.

ANPR was the first organization to actively voice concerns about the methods by which outsourcing was being implemented. Since the beginning we have specifically talked about how field employees, including fee collectors, park guides and others (notably interpretation, maintenance and resource managers), are the public’s image of the National Park Service. These employees often are the only uniformed presence that visitors ever see. ANPR has been vocal that each and every one of these groups of field employees contributes significantly to the field team. Without members of the team in these job series, as federal employees, the National Park Service’s ability to achieve its mission is severely hampered.

Director Mainella’s announcement at Ranger Rendezvous was significant. It acknowledged that ANPR is a leader in bringing the Service’s needs to the forefront on this issue. It also let the Association and other members of the NPS community know that ANPR’s involvement has made a difference.

Membership Drive

The above initiatives have sparked renewed interest in recruiting ANPR members. The Association has a tangible goal that can benefit prospective members and a success story that bears witness to the effectiveness of our actions. The membership recruitment committee consists of Kirsten Talken-Spaulding (chair), Barry Sullivan (strategic plan), Kristin Snow (student intern), Cathy Buckingham, Dick Martin, Liz Roberts, Roxanne Seale, Kendell Thompson and Lee Werst.