PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - 2003
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Dear NYSTRA member,

As your new President, I would like to extend my congratulations to you as you celebrate National Therapeutic Recreation Week and inform you of the board’s work. I feel honored and privileged to serve you in this capacity and hope the year ahead will provide much opportunity for growth and advancement for our organization and the profession. The board met on June 5th to share ideas, issues and set a foundation for action in the year ahead. The board is comprised of talented professionals who bring exciting ideas and energy. They are all committed to bettering the organization and our profession. Some of the main issues that were discussed at the meeting were:

‚ Improve educational opportunities to members around the state: by providing more regional workshops, more often, throughout the year.
‚ Reduce the cost of our annual conference by looking at various options and opportunities to reduce the cost on NYSTRA’s part with the host site.
‚ Network with other organizations to increase the opportunity for educational services and advocating for the profession.
‚ Increase membership to provide more opportunities for growth and advancement - both individually and as an organization.
‚ Improve web site services.

Already there is important work being done by members in the organization who feel the call to get involved to address some of our issues. The State Recognition Options Committee was formed in response to issues raised at our last conference. They have had two meetings to date to discuss standardization, review and support of TR standards and the need to change the state code regarding TR Director requirements. A brief overview from Miriam Levi is on our web site in the guest book - dated June. We are only as strong and effective as our membership involvement and this is a wonderful example of commitment in action.

In response to issues that were raised at our last conference, we are working with NYSPRS to offer two workshops on Licensure. They are scheduled for September 12, 2003 in Syracuse and September 19, 2003 on Long Island. A brochure will be sent out in the coming weeks. We will continue to explore avenues and options that can better inform you on today’s issues and needs in the health care field and look forward to your input and support to better meet your needs.

Please continue to visit our web site for new and updated information. We will be working to add features to the site and to our quarterly newsletter. If you have ideas or would like to be involved on any committees or services related to NYSTRA, please contact the appropriate board member listed on our web site under Board. Your regional rep is also a resource and can be contacted through the web site www.nystra.org

< A STORY >

There was a king who lived centuries ago in another land. He desired to become an expert marksman with the bow and arrow so he summoned his men and asked them to comb the countryside for the best archer in the land. Time passed and a report of an individual who always hit bull’s-eyes was found. The king went to see him and he turned out to be a young boy of 10. All along the side of his barn were targets and an arrow was in the middle of each one. The king was very impressed and asked him to teach him how to become an expert archer. Giving the king a bow and arrow, the king started to get ready for his first attempt. The boy stopped him and said “You must plant your feet firmly on the ground so you are well balanced to shoot”. The king thought to himself, this boy is young but very wise. Then the king tried again, shooting at the target. He missed completely. Before the king tried again, the boy said, “As you are getting ready to shoot, think that the energy is going from your heart, through your arm and to the bull’s-eye. The king tried and missed. The boy said “Concentrate and try again”. The king thought over and over to himself - heart to target, heart to target. He shot and missed agin. The boy went over and drew a target around the arrow giving him a bull’s-eye. The king said “What kind of bull’s-eye is that? That’s no way to win”. The boy replied, “Ah, but you always get a bull’s-eye if you shoot from the heart”.

In celebration of Therapeutic Recreation Week and in recognition of therapists everywhere I wanted to share this story with you. We are a unique profession. We have the ability to give from the heart and affect other hearts on a daily basis by what we do in our profession. If you are successful in your work, you are already coming from the heart. NYSTRA hopes to be of help in enhancing your clinical and technical skills as well as improving your professional opportunities to learn and be of service to others at whatever level or whatever population you work with. We are trying in our own way to make a positive impact on you and the profession by our ongoing work. We look forward to your continued support and hope you will be an active member on whatever level works for you. Please take a moment to fill out the attached post card and mail it back that we might be better informed to serve you. Thank you and much success as you continue in your career.


Sincerely,



Ron Becker, MS Ed., CTRS
President