Wise Beyond Your Years Richard Fink II & Alicia Copeland

What Do They Have in Common?

Activity: Around the Clock Richard’s Story Agenda Activity: Around the Clock Richard’s Story Challenges & How to Overcome Personal Branding Strategies Alicia’s Story Creation of Young Leaders @ PPF Q & A

Around the Clock Take a half sheet with the clock on it. You will have 3 minutes to set up your "appointments". As you circulate the room write one person's name next to an hour on the clock. Listen out for the time called. Find their "appointment". On the back of the sheet is a question that corresponds with the hour. You will have 90 seconds to discuss the question.  Debrief: What did you learn? Why did we do it? What will you take from what you learned/heard?

Superintendent of Parks & Grounds, City of Greenbelt Who is Richard? Superintendent of Parks & Grounds, City of Greenbelt NRPA Certified Park & Recreation Executive, Young Professional Fellowship Background in parks and historic preservation Father of 1 “From Young Professional to Respected Leader”

Challenges of Young Leaders Ageism Perceived lack of experience, judgment, perspective Difficulty obtaining needed skills Lack of transferable skills for advancement Lack of awareness about growth opportunities Increased Competition More young people choose “green” careers Competing with experience professionals

Overcoming Challenges Keep Your Ego in Check Advocate for Yourself Learn to Say No Find a Great Mentor Certify Yourself CPRE, CPSI, AFO, CPR Have a Goal & Know How to Get There

Know How to Achieve Goal

Personal Branding Strategies Add value to the resume Avoid stating graduation year Use years instead of months Utilize keywords to emphasize leadership Social Marketing LinkedIn, Company Website, Blogs Parks Associations NRPA Young Professionals Network, MRPA Networking Embrace Status as a Successful Young Professional

Who Is Alicia? Mom of 2 Educator Entrepreneur Taught Spanish for 10 years (Pre-K, Middle, High) AVID Coordinator Academy Team Leader Entrepreneur Owner of From Yes to I Do (10 years) After-School & Summer Programs Director SuperKids Camp Director (600- 2000 students) Oversee Middle Schools Sports (1500 students)

But How? Do Your Job… and do it well! Take the Initiative (Not necessarily the charge). A lot of leading is done through observation. Plan with the end in mind. Be an asset. Fill in the gaps. Develop yourself. Know your role. Stay in your own lane.

How Does PPF Create Young Leaders? SuperKids Camp Awareness and appreciation for outdoors Positive decision making Volunteer opportunities for HS youth Paid YouthWorks opportunities for youth Staff opportunities for adults (18+)

How Does PPF Create Young Leaders? Middle School Sports Awareness and appreciation for outdoors Positive decision making Developing leadership and positive character on and off the field

How Does PPF Create Young Leaders? Branches Awareness and appreciation for outdoors Positive decision making Paid position Introduction to Green Careers College & Career Readiness Assistance with summer programs enrichment

How Does PPF Create Young Leaders? Alicia Copeland Jade Harper Camp Counselor (2000, 2001) Assistant Site Coordinator (2004) Site Coordinator (2005-10) Cluster Coordinator (2011) Director of Operations (2012) Camp Director (2013- present) SuperKids Camper (2003) Founder, The Overcame Foundation (2015) Presenter at SuperKids Camp 2016

How Was It? GLOWS GROWS What you liked about the presentation What you learned from the presentation What you still want to know from us What you will work on based on the presentation

Richard Fink II, CPRE Alicia Copeland Contact Us! Superintendent of Parks & Grounds City of Greenbelt, MD E: rfink@greenbeltmd.gov Alicia Copeland After-School & Summer Programs Director Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore, MD E: alicia.copeland@parksandpeople.org Tweet Me: @educulturalist