Little Red's Big Ideas

Title IX - 35 Years Later

Earlier this week I hear a fantastic interview on my local PBS radio affiliate with long time female sports writer, and author Christine Brennan.  Brennan,who's father instilled a passion for sports, talked of her love of sports even though she grew up in the pre Title IX era where girls and women's athletics were practically non-existent. Title IX, she contested is one of the most important laws ever passed!  Brennan raved about the many benefits women and society has reaped as a result of educational and athletic equality. 

I have to admit, I wasn't totally up on my Title IX history, but Christine convinced me to check it out.  Anyone who loved the benefits of recreation as much as this journalist was my new hero (pictured at left).  So here's what I learned:

Title IX passed in 1972 states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

I was 11 in 1972, just entering Carl Sandburg Jr. High School in the Robbinsdale (Minnesota) School District.  Wow, were my girlfriends and I ever lucky.  In 1972 we were the first group of girls to reap the benefits of this great equalizer.  It's interesting to note that while Title IX most visibly, and not without controversy, impacted high school and collegiate athletics, the original statute made no reference to athletics. You can find extensive information about this law at Wikipedia which explains, "The legislation covers all educational activities, and complaints under Title IX alleging discrimination in fields such as science or math education, or in other aspects of academic life such as access to health care and dormitory facilities, are not unheard of. It also applies to non-sports activities such as school bands and cheerleaders."

I had no idea that the older sisters of my classmates had no access to after-school sports, intramural or competitive teams in which to play and participate.  I had no idea that, had I been born a bit earlier, I might not have been able to take "Industrial Arts" or Auto Shop. Not that I did, mind you, but I could have.  I do remember that it was a big deal that boys were allowed to take cooking class with the girls.

As I drive to and from all of the end of the school year festivities, tournaments and graduations at parks as well as elementary, middle and high schools this year; I can't imagine girls NOT playing soccer, volleyball, softball and every other sport known to "boy"kind.  Thanks to the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act (aka Title IX) girls and boys can learn on common ground about those endless benefits of sports, recreation and play.

Do you have a great Title IX or pre-Title IX story?  Share it by clicking on COMMENTS below!  We need to remind younger colleagues about the not so good 'ol days of gender discrimination on and off the field.

Millennials Go to College -- The Must-read Book

I recently bought and read this incredible book called, Millennials Go to College co-written by THE Millennial expert, Neil Howe, who I heard speak at the American Camp Association in Austin earlier this year.  Oh my gosh, I loved this book.  As a mom of a young millennial (my son's eight, and Millennials are those born between, approximately 1982 and 2001).  I found this book it to be the best parenting guide in the world.  Now I know what not to do to help my child succeed in college and beyond based on what's going on with the older Millennials (who have now graduated from college and are entering the professional work world.)  I don't want to give it all away, but let's put it this way, "Parents, let your children go! It's not your job to debate college professors over grades and accompany your grown children to job interviews.")

According to the publisher's website (where you can instantly order a copy of this, as well as lots of amazing resources related to demographics, consumer behavior and all types of marketing topics.  And, no, I'm not working on commission, here -- I just love the collection of books Paramount offers),   Millennials go to College is geared toward those who "deal with today's students as a marketer, college faculty member, administrator, parent, or high school counselor."  It goes on to say -- and I agree -- "this hands-on guide is a necessary addition to your bookshelf. The new, updated edition features the latest data on the Millennial Generation and how they are changing--and will continue to change--college life." 

I also have to say that this book offers critical insight to better understand the parents of these kids -- young Baby Boomers and older GenXers. (But more on that later as I'm on deadline for my own book related to Baby Boomer parks and recreation programming and marketing.)

Millennials work for you and participate in your programs.  Invest in this book and you will have a much better summer!  And let them know I sent you. 

Words of Wisdom -- Customer Service

If you're like me, you love quotes.  They are a great and easy way to jazz up your website, newsletters, brochures and speeches.  The 16 quotes that follow are from the blog Customer Service Point and can be used to inspire and motivate during staff orientations and trainings.  Post them where staff and volunteers can see them each and every day.  Choose the one that you love the most and, by using PowerPoint, turn it into a screen saver for your registration desk computers.  Click on this link to find out how...  Enjoy!

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.
ROGER STAUBACH

Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it.
It is what the client or customer gets out of it.
PETER DRUCKER

If we don’t take care of our customers, someone else will.
UNKNOWN

Customers don’t expect you to be perfect.
They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong.
DONALD PORTER

The quality of our work depends on the quality of our people.
UNKNOWN

One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing
is what we do for others.
LEWIS CAROL

The goal as a company is to have customer service that is
not just the best, but legendary.
SAM WALTON

The longer you wait, the harder it is to produce
outstanding customer service.
WILLIAM H. DAVIDOW

Being on par in terms of price and quality only gets you into the game.
Service wins the game.
TONY ALESSANDRA

Our greatest asset is the customer! Treat each customer as if they are the only one!
LAURICE LEITAO

People expect good service but few are willing to give it.
ROBERT GATELY

Well done is better than well said.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Here is a simple but powerful rule - always give people
more than what they expect to get.
NELSON BOSWELL

In business you get what you want by giving other people what they want.
ALICE MACDOUGALL

You’ll never have a product or price advantage again. They can be easily duplicated, but a strong customer service culture can’t be copied.
JERRY FRITZ

Although your customers won’t love you if you give bad service, your competitors will.
KATE ZABRISKIE

Rejuveniles and Recreation

I first heard the term "rejuveniles' during an interview with author Christopher Noxon on NPR in 2006.  I was riveted and remember thinking how darn clever the word was as it describes a new type of grown-up that doesn't really want to grow up. 

At the time I was living with a rejuvenile who, in his early 40's was still going to rock concerts on the weekends with his buddies.  He reveled in the idea that he hadn't changed in 25 years and that he still had the same tastes as he did in Jr. High.  As I soon learned, I was not alone.  There are millions of these rejuveniles in every community across the country.  This new kind of grown-up, explains Noxon in his book appropriately titled, "Rejuveniles -- Kickball, Cartoons, Cupcakes and the Reinvention of the American Grown-up," lives for fun, fun fun.  Noxon's website has a section called, "Playground" that highlights all sorts of organizations and groups dedicated to things like skipping, dodgeball, amusement parks and skateboarding moms.  His blog has a link to England's Hide and Seek Festival and New York's Come Out and Play Festival. 

As I picked up my copy of Noxon's book tonight I realized that every park and recreation professional needs to read this book which is full of insight and ideas to better understand this adult customer.  While the first chapter of the book focuses on some historical perspective, Chapter Two is called, "The Rejuvenile at Play." 

As baby boomers continue to retire in historic quantities, a large percentage will hope to rediscover their inner child, their inner youth, their inner teen.  As people go through this rediscovery process they will be looking to fill leisure hours, days and weeks with all sort of nostalgic and brand new activities.  They will want to connect with others who share their desires and interests.  They'll want to try something they've always wanted to try, do so something they've never had time to do, and learn something they never thought they would know. 

Never before have we seen such amazing opportunities to program for such an active group of adults.  Savvy park and recreation professionals will begin to balance their product inventories to insure that they are offering as many programs and products for grown-ups (forget the term "senior") as for children.  After all, grown-ups deserve to pursue happiness just as much as kids.  This is good business.  After all, every citizen has the right to recreation -- but only grown-ups have the right to vote.

While adult sports and fitness programs are a good start, rejuveniles are looking for connections on and off the playing field.  Think about all of the clubs and extracurricular activities offered in high school.  There was something for everyone -- chess players, linguists, athletes, politicians, debaters, writers, photographers -- you name it.  For most teenagers, school was at the core of community.   Successful recreation agencies will position themselves as the place for grown-ups to find everything from fun and fitness to friendships and fulfillment.

Please share you story.  Click on COMMENTS below to share ways you are engaging or re-engaging grown-ups in your community.