The Connect Conference is the provincial recreation conference that focuses on the development of recreation and parks leaders in Manitoba. It is part of Recreation Manitoba's education plan to help delegates grow their skills, knowledge, and network through the sharing of ideas, energy and passion.

The Connect 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities Information Package and Connect Trade Show Exhibitor Registration is linked here and on our website.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Recreation Manitoba is seeking a skilled Program Coordinator with experience in program development and revenue generation in the nonprofit sector. This role will design and implement the organization’s training, education, and events portfolio to align with and fulfill the strategic plan and annual priorities. The Program Coordinator is one of the primary contacts with instructors, facilitators, volunteers, venue owners, members and stakeholders and works to maintain positive relationships and collaborative partnerships. This role is suited for individuals who have previous experience in the recreation or nonprofit sector and believes that parks and recreation are essential to healthy and well communities.

A full job description is attached and can be found on our website www.recreationmb.ca

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications must include:

●      A detailed cover letter that speaks directly to what experience you have in the recreation sector and what you will bring to this position and our organization, as well as a desired salary range.

●      A resume that highlights relevant education and experience, plus complete contact information.

●      A minimum of three references, with contact information (phone and email).

Application deadline: Friday, October 25, 2024

Email cover letter and resume to:

The subject line should read “Recreation Manitoba Program Coordinator Application” and be emailed to Emily George at egeorge@recreationmb.ca

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates invited for an interview will be contacted.

Recreation Manitoba_Program Coordinator_ October 2024.pdf

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of Recreation Connections Inc., operating as Recreation Manitoba, (the Corporation) is called and will happen on: 

Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024 

Time: 11:00 am (CDT) 

Location: Niverville, MB (in person) and electronically (MS Teams) 

 The purpose of the meeting is to: 

• Approve the minutes of the 2023 Annual General Meeting; 
• Receiving and considering the audited financial statements for the year ended 2024; 
• Electing Directors;

• Appoint an auditor to conduct a financial review of the organization; and 

• Transacting such further and other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. 

Visit our webpage recreationmb.ca/AGM for information about the meeting, the election of directors, and to register your attendance. All members attending either in person or electronically must register before the meeting. 

As a valued member of Recreation Manitoba, we deeply appreciate your ongoing support and commitment to our organization and the recreation sector in Manitoba. 

We wanted to inform you about an upcoming membership fee change. We recognize the financial limitations of our members as we work to resume normal operations as a sector post the pandemic restrictions and the current financial situation across the province. The organization has experienced the same financial limitations and has made the difficult decision to raise its membership fees effective September 1, 2024. Membership fees have remained constant over the past decade, while expenses have continued to gradually increase. The increase in fees will help ensure the organization is sustainable moving forward to serve its members and the sector.

The increase amount will be dependent on your membership type. You can see the full chart of membership fees on the membership webpage: www.recreationmb.ca/membership

We understand that any increase in fees will impact your organization as well. It is our hope that with the advanced notice and staggered roll out, it will help to minimize the direct impact. Please contact us at info@recreationmb.ca with any questions or concerns about this increase. We are happy to discuss your specific situation. 

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in Recreation Manitoba. We look forward to serving you in the coming year and working together to advance the sector.

Sincerely, 

Recreation Manitoba 

Recreation Manitoba is seeking the services of a skilled Executive Director (ED) with experience in the recreation sector. The ED will provide strong and visionary leadership within the context of a policy governed, non-profit organization with a membership base of approximately 400, and an annual operating budget of approximately $280,000. The ED will be expected to provide ‘hands-on’ assistance and support in all areas of operations, programs, and services. 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will be responsible for the organization's overall strategic and operational tasks. The ED will be a strong leader, who is prepared to develop a collaborative environment with board members, staff, volunteers, partners, and stakeholders. Successful candidates will have previous experience working in non-profit organizations, developing training workshops and events, adapting to the needs of the membership, and implementing a strategic plan to fulfill the mission and vision of the organization. 

A full job description of the role is available here

All applications must include:

● A detailed cover letter that speaks directly to what experience you have in the recreation sector and what you will bring to this position and our organization, as well as a desired salary range.

● A resume that highlights relevant education and experience, plus complete contact information.

● A minimum of three references, with contact information (phone and email). 

Application deadline: 4:00 pm CDT on Friday, October 6, 2023 

The subject line should read “Recreation Manitoba Executive Director Application” and be emailed to Courtney Bangert-Murray at court.bangert@gmail.com

Patients at Riverview Health Centre got a visit from a different kind of therapy animal Wednesday, as two miniature horses roamed the hallways and raised spirits at the Winnipeg health-care facility. Take a look.

Symatree farm, featured in the visit, will be presenting on Equine Therapy during the 2023 Therapeutic Recreation Conference. 

The team at the Rural Municipality of Hanover have been searching for a method to track, monitor and evaluate their assets especially with a number of their facilities nearing their end of life. Through their membership with Recreation Manitoba, Bronson Pritchett (Municipal Facilities Coordinator) came to learn about RFAM and the membership benefit that was available. After a few years it was clear that this task was too overwhelming for an organization to complete on their own, especially with the existing load of work staff were dealing with. Dialogue started between the RM of Hanover and the team at Marmak (parent company of RFAM) to have 2 consultants visit Hanover for a week and collect equipment inventory data for all of their recreation facilities and open spaces / grounds. During the Week of June 5th over 350 pieces of equipment were collected with a total value of $37,698,060.85.

The equipment collected had the following condition levels:

Very Good Condition: 45
Good Condition: 202
Fair Condition: 85
Poor Condition: 22
Very Poor Condition: 6

In addition, RFAM automatically developed their FCI (Facility Condition Index) Scores and a 5 Year Plan. All of Hanover's assets have an FCI Score of less than 3% (only 3% of equipment needs to be replaced) which is Very Good. However their EFCI-5 (Extended Facility Condition Index - 5 Year Forecast) Score is 24.39% which means almost a quarter of their assets need to be replaced within the next 5 years. This is an issue the RM of Hanover is aware of but now they have the data and reports to support their decisions and planning process.

CPRA has launched the Canadian Parks, Recreation and Sport Infrastructure Database, the first database specifically designed for the recreation and parks sector. Recreation Manitoba members can use this database by both entering and accessing essential facility and demographic data to better understand and convey how your facilities contribute to the health and wellbeing of your communities.

CPRA is looking for Recreation Manitoba member communities to support the project. They need your help to:

• Enter the location and basic information about your community’s facilities in the database;
• If your facilities are already in the database, ensure the location and information entered is correct.

Exciting Benefits of the Canadian Parks, Recreation and Sport Infrastructure Database:

• The Database has been pre-populated with some facility information made available through Statistics Canada.
• The simple user interface lets you easily update existing facilities and add new ones.
• You can quickly access information on key health indicators using built-in demographic data.
• A movement data layer provides you a picture of how people are using your outdoor parks and facilities hour-by-hour.
• A dashboard allows you to compare facility provision levels within your community or with communities of a similar size and profile.
• The database can be used as an indispensable tool for reports to council, budget and project planning, and feasibility studies.
• CPRA can utilize the data to illustrate the benefits of parks and recreation and advocate for additional support from the federal government on your behalf.

How to sign up and enter your facility information:

• Click here to sign up for your own account.
• Click here for video tutorials.

Register for the CPRA and ActiveXchange introductory webinar on May 18.

Questions? Please contact intelligence@ActiveXchange.ca

Susanne Moore, recently retired Recreation Director for Macdonald Headingley Recreation District, was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Manitoba) by Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville at a ceremony on December 19, 2022. Award recipients were nominated for their public service, dedication to others, impactful accomplishments in their community and leading by example. Susanne was nominated by MLA Myrna Driedger. 

Susanne has been a leader in Manitoba’s recreation community for over 30 years, and one of recreation’s biggest advocates, promoting recreation for its contribution to individual physical and mental health. Her career focused on building community capacity and creating a positive environment for citizens of all ages and abilities to grow and thrive. Along with providing innovative recreation programs and services to her communities, Susanne volunteered on numerous recreation initiatives that moved recreation forward in Manitoba. She was President of Recreation Connections Manitoba (now Recreation Manitoba), represented Manitoba at national level discussions, including the development of the National Framework for Recreation, and participated on many provincial committees. Susanne received the 2016 Recreation Connections Manitoba President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement for her volunteer commitment and leadership to recreation, and was the recipient of the 2017 CPRA Award of Merit for Manitoba.

Susanne’s engaging personality and professionalism as well as her tremendous wit and sense of humour contributed to her success in bringing recognition and credibility to the field of recreation. Susanne has been an influential leader and champion for recreation in her communities and municipalities as well as at a regional, provincial and national level. Not surprising that in retirement, Susanne continues to volunteer in her community!

Join us as we congratulate Susanne on this tremendous and well deserved honour of receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Manitoba).

Click on YouTube link for Presentation Ceremony (Susanne at 23:50)

Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Manitoba) Ceremony - December 19, 2022 - YouTube

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-24 Building Sustainable Communities program. This program supports local community development priorities led by municipal leadership and non-profit organizations with leveraged funding from other public, private and philanthropic sources and the work of local volunteers, the minister noted.

Building Sustainable Communities provides a grant contribution of 50 per cent of eligible project costs up to $75,000 and up to $300,000 for large capital projects. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, charitable organizations, municipalities and Northern Affairs community councils. Since its launch in 2019, the program has committed more than $57 million to support over 1,300 community-led projects and leveraged approximately $135 million from other funding sources.

Grant applications are also now being accepted for the 2023-24 Urban/Hometown Green Team program, which allows organizations to hire youth for summer jobs across Manitoba.

The Urban/Hometown Green Team program provides opportunities to support the needs of community-based organizations and young Manitobans looking for summer employment. The program includes a broad range of employment activities including recreation and camps, as well as greening and beautification initiatives, the minister said.

The grants cover 100 per cent of wage costs plus $250 per position for non-profit organizations. Municipal governments receive 50 per cent of wage costs and $125 per position on a cost-shared basis.

The deadline for applications for both programs is Jan. 16, 2023.

Click here to read the full news release