NYSTRA - New York State Therapeutic Recreation Association

We celebrate the new year at various times and in various ways. The western calendar new year is celebrated with glitzy parties, champagne, and kisses at midnight. The Chinese new year is celebrated with dragon parades and firecrackers. The Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah, is celebrated with family gatherings, prayer, and the blowing of the shofar. There are other kinds of “new years,” other kinds of new beginnings—our own birthday, a new school year, indeed any time we make a real resolution or set a new goal.

In many ways, as I write this, it is “NYSTRA New Year.” There is a new Board, and I am privileged and honored to be the new president. In the short time since the new Board members were sworn in at the annual conference on March 21, energy and ideas have been flowing between them and the incumbent Board members. There is a sense of optimism. Plans are being formulated, excitement is being shared, goals are being set. Happy New Year! It is going to be a good one.

A few highlights to look forward to:

• Continued efforts toward licensure for Therapeutic Recreation . We have made great progress, but we're not there yet. The process is a slow one. We must work hard and be patient. Watch for updates from the Licensure Committee on this website.

• Educational opportunities . The Downstate Recreation Conference, which NYSTRA co-sponsors with NYSRPS, LILSA, HVLSA, WRAPS, and METRO, is Wednesday, November 17, 2010 in White Plains. The annual conference is March 26-29, 2011 in Saratoga Springs. Think about presenting at one of these two great conferences, and watch for additional workshops as well.

• Strategic Planning Initiative . NYSTRA is a member-driven organization. This year all members will have the opportunity to let the Board know what you think are the organization's past and current strengths—and in what direction the organization should move in the future. When the survey is distributed, please give us your thoughtful response.

• Increased membership . There is strength in numbers. If you are not currently a member, please join the hundreds who have already chosen to be part of NYSTRA! Click on the membership link on this website.

We are glad you are visiting the NYSTRA website. Take time to explore. There is a wealth of information here for therapeutic recreation professionals, TR students, and others interested in the field. Click on the Guestbook and leave us a message. We would love to hear your ideas. If you want information about how you can get more involved, contact me or any of the Board members. That would make the year even better.

Joanne Auerbach, CTRS

NYSTRA President