Background
The New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) has a three-year commitment from Sport NZ to invest in significant projects that contribute to the quality management and delivery of sport and recreation, a skilled and connected workforce, enhanced consideration in policy and decision making and advocacy credibility.
Robyn Cockburn and Lucy Atkinson of Lumin have been contracted to work with NZRA to support the collection of dissemination of insights that increase participation and improve quality delivery. The initial work involves establishment of Participant Insights and Quality Delivery ‘Think Tanks’ made up of people with the appropriate skills and knowledge.
Why Think Tanks?
To provide insights for the recreation sector that will:
• Increase participation, particularly amongst targeted groups
• Improve quality delivery of spaces, places, and experiences
• Increase connections within the sector that enable better sharing of information and expertise.
Types of think tank
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Participant Insights |
Quality Delivery |
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• To collect and disseminate information and insights about communities, particularly targeted priority groups • To use these insights to increase participation |
• To enhance the performance of recreation places and spaces • To use information from both international and NZ sources |
What are the Think Tanks?
The Think Tanks will be made up of people who are:
• Key contributors to sector intelligence
• Involved in aspects of the planning, delivery and review lifecycle
• Working in a range of NZRA contexts – outdoors, community recreation and sport, aquatic and dry facilities, parks and open spaces
• A diverse mix of people, some with established wisdom in the sector and others with fresh new thinking and ways of approaching challenges.
How will the Think Tanks work?
• Programme of 8 meetings per annum
• Four face-to-face meetings, coinciding where possible with other events to maximise networking and information exchange
• Four online meetings in the intervening periods
• Roles and responsibilities (terms of reference) to be confirmed
• The role of a Think Tank member will be to act as a conduit into and within the recreation sector.
Criteria for inclusion
The Think Tanks will be set up with reference to the following guidelines.
If you, or someone you know of, are interested in contributing, please fill out the Registration of Interest (ROI).
We are seeking:
• Fresh perspectives - including new participants/programmes of engagement and people with established wisdom
• Diverse gender, experience, and ethnicity
• Willingness to engage positively
• Early adopters and innovators with energy to create fresh thinking and change
• Great at pulling information in and/or great at sharing information
• People who are Influencers in the sector with networks
How will the selection process occur?
We will recruit Think Tank members in two ways:
1 NZRA will invite individuals recognised as having established wisdom in the field, or who bring fresh perspectives, to indicate their interest
2 We are inviting anyone who is interested and meets the criteria to submit your ROI.
Is there more than one way to be contribute to this knowledge pool?
YES! There is more than one way to contribute your skills and knowledge in this process.
We hope to identify people with a range of skills and knowledge who will be part of a network of resource people who may contribute. If you are not on the Think Tank, we hope to share your expertise in other ways such as:
• being a resource person for your knowledge area
• actively using networks within your specific community
• sharing specific knowledge about a programme or participant group.
If you’re interested in being involved in any way, please check out the next section!
What should I do if I am interested?
1. Review the Criteria for Think Tank membership and Role of Think Tank Members
2. Fill out the online Registration of Interest including whether you want to be a Think Tank member or part of our Resource Network.
3. Prepare a brief bio of your background identifying the main areas of your work relevant to this project and email to info@nzrecreation.org.nz
Timeline
- 25 April Invitations circulated
- Promotion at key NZRA events and through networks, newsletters etc
- 15 June ROI closes - Fill out the ROI now
- June Selection and confirmation of Think Tank and Resource Network
- July Publication of Think Tank and Resource Network membership
Further information or questions
If you would like to know more, or have questions we have not answered here, please contact us.
Robyn Cockburn