Event Detail




Virtual Learning Workshop - Why Reinvent the Wheel

This session is designed to assist recreation professionals increase community engagement through programs tailored to their community. We will walk through a sample program evaluation that will demonstrate ways to determine if a program is a good fit for a community and organization.  Understanding the specific needs of our community alongside an agency’s vision will help foster community connection and contributes to the overall well-being of residents. 

  • Learn how to evaluate and design programs.    
  • Identify the needs and desires of their communities.    
  • Discuss program specificity and purpose.

Location: Virtual via Zoom
Date: March 10, 2026 @ 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Fee: $25 - This is a member-only opportunity

Registration Deadline: March 5, 2026

CEUs: .1

Cancellation deadline: Cancellation requests and transfer requests must be made in writing to brad@ncrpa.net.  Please view our Refund Policy here.

Speaker Information: 

LaToya L. Artis is a Recreation Manager with the City of Ocala responsible for the oversite of indoor programing for youth, adults, seniors, therapeutic recreation, outreach, and the departments transportation. LaToya fell in love with recreation 29 years ago as a recreation summer camp counselor in Linden, NJ during her college years. In 1999, LaToya graduated with her BS degree in Physical and Health education with a minor in Sports Management from Methodist College. After working for five years in the local school system, LaToya decided to seek employment working from home to raise her three children. In 2015, started working with Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation as Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor. LaToya oved to Florida in 2019 and started working with Ocala Recreation and Parks as Therapeutic and Senior Recreation Supervisor, quickly into her current position as Recreation Manager. LaToya is a line dance instructor and certified Xtreme Hip Hop Aerobics instructor.

Formerly in education and childcare, Jacob Baker fell in love with recreation in 2012 for what he thought was a temporary job at a municipal aquatic center. He has worked in every area of recreation including aquatics, athletics, community events and outreach. Currently, Jacob is a Recreation Manager for the City of Ocala supervising the operations of the Mary Sue Rich Community Center. As someone who’s directly benefitted from a culturally rich and multifaceted background, he’s aware of the challenges and opportunities faced by parks and recreation professionals as well as our clients.

Special Accommodations Requests: This program will be hosted via Zoom and will have closed captioning (CC) provided as an option in the meeting. If you need to explore additional accommodations, please reach out to charla@frpa.org at least a week before the scheduled session.

NCRPA Contact: Brad Foster at 919-832-5868 or brad@NCRPA.net

We are happy to partner with the Florida Recreation and Park Association to bring you convenient Virtual Education sessions. You will receive log in information no less than two days before the event from charla@frpa.org. If you do not receive this information by then, please email charla@frpa.org. To access the event, click on the link provided. Make sure your full name is included in your title as you enter the session so that the host can be sure you are allowed to be let in. You will be required to sign in via the chat box once the class begins. If you are unable to access the chat feature, you will be given further instruction during the session on how to record your attendance. FRPA would like to collect your feedback after the event so please be sure to complete the follow-up evaluation and instruction. 

Refund Policy and Code of Conduct