mParks is governed through a collaborative leadership framework designed to strengthen the parks and recreation profession across Michigan. The framework connects strategic oversight, regional representation, professional engagement, and member-driven initiatives to ensure the organization remains responsive, inclusive, and future-focused.
The mParks Board of Directors serves as the governing body of the Association, providing strategic leadership, policy oversight, and fiduciary responsibility. The Board works in partnership with the Executive Director and staff to advance the mission of mParks while ensuring organizational sustainability and member value.
The Board is supported by three core governance committees that guide leadership development, strategic planning, and financial stewardship.
The Board is supported by three core governance committees that guide leadership development, strategic planning, and financial stewardship.
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Executive Committee
The Executive Committee consists of the Board President, President-Elect, and Secretary/Treasurer and is chaired by the sitting Board President. This committee is empowered to act on behalf of the Board in managing the Association's business and affairs between Board meetings. Governance Committee Chaired by the President-Elect, the Governance Committee focuses on board nominations, recruitment, leadership orientation, strategic planning, and ongoing assessment of the Association's bylaws and policies. The committee may recruit additional mParks members in good standing to support its work and ensure strong organizational leadership. Ways & Means Committee The Ways & Means Committee, chaired by the Secretary/Treasurer, provides oversight and makes recommendations on the Association’s financial health and long-term sustainability. The committee works closely with the Board and Executive Director to review fiscal practices and recommend the annual budget. |
The Executive Director and staff are responsible for implementing the strategic direction established by the Board of Directors. Staff manage day-to-day operations, member services, educational programming, advocacy initiatives, events, and organizational partnerships while supporting committees, regions, collaboratives, focus areas, career pathways, and volunteer leaders across the state.
mParks operates through four standing committees that align with the Association’s strategic priorities, pillars, and member needs.
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Advocate
The Advocate Committee monitors state and federal legislation related to parks, recreation, tourism, and natural resources. The committee recommends advocacy positions and policy priorities to the Board of Directors and serves as the primary voice for legislative engagement. Teach The Teach Committee develops educational opportunities that support professional growth across all career stages. Responsibilities include training programs, certifications, conferences, and continuing education initiatives. Advisory teams supporting this work include the Certification Advisory Team and the Conference Planning Team. Inspire The Inspire Committee recognizes excellence within the profession through awards and recognition programs that celebrate leadership, innovation, service, and community impact. The Hall of Fame Advisory Team supports the committee’s recognition efforts. Unite The Unite Committee advances inclusion, equity, and belonging throughout the Association and the communities served by mParks members. The committee also supports member engagement and participation through the Membership Advisory Team. |
Teams are project-based engagement groups created to support specific initiatives, goals, or emerging priorities within mParks. Designed to be flexible and action-oriented, Teams bring together members with shared interests, expertise, and passion to collaborate on focused projects with defined purpose and timelines.
Teams are formed around a particular need, initiative, or opportunity and conclude once their objectives have been achieved. This structure allows members to contribute their skills, ideas, and leadership in meaningful ways without requiring long-term commitments.
To ensure statewide perspectives and inclusive participation, Teams maintain regional representation similar to the Association’s standing committees. This approach helps ensure that initiatives reflect the diverse needs, experiences, and priorities of parks and recreation professionals across Michigan
Teams are formed around a particular need, initiative, or opportunity and conclude once their objectives have been achieved. This structure allows members to contribute their skills, ideas, and leadership in meaningful ways without requiring long-term commitments.
To ensure statewide perspectives and inclusive participation, Teams maintain regional representation similar to the Association’s standing committees. This approach helps ensure that initiatives reflect the diverse needs, experiences, and priorities of parks and recreation professionals across Michigan
mParks is organized into seven geographic leadership regions that provide localized engagement, representation, and communication throughout Michigan. Each region maintains representation within the Association and holds a designated seat on every standing committee, ensuring statewide collaboration and balanced leadership perspectives.
The regional structure helps foster stronger networking opportunities, professional development, and grassroots engagement among members and agencies throughout the state.
The regional structure helps foster stronger networking opportunities, professional development, and grassroots engagement among members and agencies throughout the state.
Allegan · Barry · Berrien · Cass · Kalamazoo · Kent · Montcalm · Muskegon · Newaygo · Oceana · Ottawa · St. Joseph · Van Buren
Branch · Calhoun · Clinton · Eaton · Hillsdale · Ingham · Ionia · Jackson · Lenawee · Livingston · Montcalm · Shiawassee · Washtenaw
Monroe · Wayne
Genesee · Lapeer · Oakland
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Macomb · St. Clair
Arenac · Bay · Gratiot · Huron · Isabella · Midland · Saginaw · Sanilac · Tuscola
Alcona · Alger · Alpena · Antrim · Baraga · Benzie · Charlevoix · Cheboygan · Chippewa · Clare · Crawford · Delta · Dickinson · Emmet · Gladwin · Gogebic · Grand Traverse · Houghton · Iosco · Iron · Kalkaska · Keweenaw · Lake · Leelanau · Luce · Mackinac · Manistee · Marquette · Mason · Mecosta · Menominee · Missaukee · Montmorency · Ogemaw · Ontonagon · Osceola · Oscoda · Otsego · Presque Isle · Roscommon · Schoolcraft · Wexford
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mParks encourages broad participation through a flexible engagement model that allows members to connect based on professional interests, career stage, organizational type, or specialized focus area.
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Collaboratives
Collaboratives connect members through shared organizational or community structure, including:
Focus Areas
Focus Areas provide opportunities for specialized learning and networking in areas such as:
Career Pathways
Career-based engagement groups support professionals throughout every stage of leadership development, including:
Strategic Partners
Strategic partnerships strengthen the Association through collaboration with aligned organizations, including endorsed organizations, the mParks Foundation, and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). |
Task Forces
Task Forces are temporary, project-based groups created by committees, regions, collaboratives, focus areas, careers, or strategic partners to address specific initiatives or emerging priorities. Task Forces operate with defined timelines and objectives and do not engage in policy or financial matters of the Association. Advocacy-related initiatives remain under the leadership of the Advocate Committee.
Vendor Engagement
Vendor members are valued partners within the mParks community and are encouraged to participate in regions, committees, and task forces. Vendor engagement is designed to foster collaboration, relationship-building, and shared learning while maintaining a member-focused environment centered on professional advancement rather than product promotion.
