The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer A new recreation bible will give insight to those looking to better their communities in the northern part of Saskatchewan. The Community Recreation Handbook is full of helpful tips and suggestions for those in the recreation field to help their communities. Town of Creighton Recreation Director Channa Senyk, who had a helping hand in the book, said this is "a great way to help all in the community." The book offers the how-tos and the ins and outs of the recreation world. As well as learning how to get started in a recreation position, it offers helpful tips on how to form a recreation board, how to talk to an elected council and how to advocate for your community. Senyk is quoted in the handbook. "I had mentioned that this handbook is a great resource for anyone in the recreation field and anyone starting out," she said. Fundraise The handbook will come in handy, she says, for those looking to fundraise for their community, write letters advocating for their area and talk to the people they need to. There is also a section on how to recruit volunteers and to keep a steady list. "There was (also) a good section on leadership and youth involvement," said Senyk. The handbook was two years in the making and printed last month with funding from the Community Initiatives Fund. Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation (NSCR) also had a hand in the document. "We sat at many different locations and communities and talked about the handbook," said Senyk. Along with the Town of Creighton being a supporter of the book, Ryan Karakochuk of NSCR provided information on what a recreation board consists of. As two northern communities, both Denare Beach and Creighton will be impacted by the book. Senyk says the book mentions the different things recreational departments do as well as what they think the book will provide for the community. As a positive resource for anyone in the field, Senyk says the Community Recreation Handbook is something that will be used in many different circumstances. "It would be the book to have at your desk to take a look at to answer a lot of questions," she said. Starting out in the recreational field almost four years ago, Senyk says she wishes she had something like this to help her get started. "It gives you lots of ideas on how to (approach your council) and it give you lots of ideas on how to talk to them so they'll listen," she said. Guidelines The book also gives guidelines on who should sit on the board, who the chairperson should be and who should speak to council. "I think this section would help people new to the community," said the recreation director. Looking through the book, Senyk says it is something that can help everyone in a different way. "I think it will impact everybody...it's just depending on what you're looking for." Senyk says the burnout rate for those in the recreational field is high. "Recreational directors don't seem to stay in their positions long, but (there is) a section on how to balance your life and work," she said. Senyk says the book offers helpful tips for everyone Ð not just the recreational field Ð on how to maintain a balanced life at home, work and during leisure time. "I think that little section alone would assist all of us in trying to keep a healthy balance between work, home and leisure time." Currently, all northern communities have one copy of the handbook. In the future, Senyk says she imagines there will be more copies available.
