Youth Sports Messaging Toolkit: Subject Matter Expert

NRPA is recruiting 8-10 park and recreation professionals to serve as subject matter experts (SMEs) to assist with the creation of a youth sports messaging toolkit between April 2021 and December 2021. Designed to empower park and recreation professionals to lead conversations around access to youth sports and play in their communities, specifically with parents who are highly involved in youth sports, NRPA is excited to develop this messaging toolkit to promote the essential role of community-based youth sports providers (like parks and recreation!) in supporting the healthy development of youth.

Activities
Activation 1: Focus Group Participation

• SMEs will participate in focus group lasting 2-3 hours during May 2021.
  • SMEs will review initial messaging for the toolkit.
  • SMEs will provide information about youth sports in your community.
  • SMEs will discuss methods you currently use to communicate with parents.
  • SMEs will provide insight into what types of digital comms tools best suit your needs.
• SMEs will assist NRPA in finding parents to participate in additional focus group opportunities.
  • This responsibility could include sharing focus group opportunities through direct outreach, newsletters, social media accounts, and/or department websites.
    
    

Activation 2: Toolkit Review

• SMEs will review the full toolkit once developed (2-3 hours) in Summer 2021.
  • SMEs will provide content edits to the toolkit.
  • SMEs will provide recommendations for ways to increase toolkit usability.

 Activation 3: Toolkit Dissemination

• SMEs will share toolkit messaging on their platforms and encourage others to do the same. NRPA envisions SMEs serving as ambassadors for this communications campaign.

Activation 4: Final Feedback

• SMEs will share final feedback after using the toolkit for several months.

Qualifications

• Employee of a municipal park and recreation agency.
• Enthusiastic and willing to collaborate with NRPA and like-minded professionals.
• Has capacity to commit to the above activities between April 2021 – December 2021.
• Understands the benefits of equitable access to youth sports and has working knowledge of youth sports offerings provided by your park and recreation department/in your area.

SMEs will receive stipends of $1,000 each for assisting with this project. To apply, please complete the application. For questions or more information please contact Teresa Morrissey, Program Manager at tmorrissey@nrpa.org.