ORPA:  Advocating for Parks and Recreation

ORPA maintains a robust advocacy program providing a voice for Oregon park and recreation agencies on both a state and national level.  ORPA maintains an active presence before the Oregon State Legislature and key state agencies.  The association maintains regular communication with Oregon's congressional delegation and sends a delegation to Washington, DC every year to lobby with other park leaders from around the nation during the NRPA Legislative Forum.

2009 Legislative Session Information

Download 2009 ORPA Legislative Platform - Full Text

Download 2009 ORPA Legislative Platform - Handout

ORPA Legislative Committee:  The ORPA Legislative Committee plays a vital role in ORPA's advocacy efforts.  During the Oregon legislative session, the committee meets on a regular basis to review and take positions on legislation.  Committee members provide testimony on critical legislation and promote parks and recreation in one on one meetings with legislators, legislative staff and agency personnel.  On an ongoing basis, committee members act as policy advisors to Executive Director/Lobbyist, Amanda Rich, meet to address policy issues as they arise and develop the ORPA legislative platform. 

If you are interested in serving on ORPA's legislative committee, please contact Committee Chair, Don Horton, or Amanda Rich.   

2010 ORPA Legislative Committee Members

Don Horton, Chair, Bend Metro Park and Recreation District

Jim McElhinny, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District
Bob Keefer, Willamalane Park & Recreation District
Ed Hodney, Albany Parks & Recreation
Bruce Ronning, Bend Metro Park & Recreation District
Justin Patterson, Metro

Jim Desmond, Metro

Randy Tucker, Metro

Scott Archer, Oregon City Parks & Recreation

Carl Switzer, Tualatin Parks & Recreation
Allan Wells, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Zari Santner, Portland Parks & Recreation
Justin Cutler, Gresham Parks & Recreation
Ron Papsdorf, City of Gresham

Brian Sjothun, Medford Parks & Recreation

Wayne Rawlins, Oregon State Parks

Kyleen Stone, Oregon State Parks

Amanda Rich, ORPA Executive Director/Lobbyist

Legislative Links / Information:

Oregon State Legislature - Homepage

Find Your Legislator

Download 2007-2008 ORPA Legislative Platform

Download 2007 Final Legislative Report